Tight Lines and Tall Tales: Stories of Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing by Neil Norman

Southern Appalachia has its own vibrant and dynamic fishing culture, distinct from other regions of the United States—one that combines the contemplative nature of fly fishing with a focus on Southern Appalachian ecology, folklore, and storytelling. In Tight Lines and Tall Tales (The University of North Carolina Press, 2026), Neil Norman uncovers for the first time the hidden history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing that stretches back generations. Drawing on archival research, his own memories of fishing, and personally collected oral histories, Norman offers a fascinating history of the sport, beginning with Mark Cathey, a renowned North Carolinian angler active in the early twentieth century, and ending in the present day in the age of Trout Unlimited.

In recounting the history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing, Norman tells the story of the land itself—its streams, rivers, mountains, and valleys—while also challenging the idea that Southern Appalachia is an insular backwater or simply a tourist destination. He shows us that, as with any angling tradition, understanding where we are is key to understanding who we are.