In my mind one of the most entertaining fly fishing novels to come out in the last decade, Robert Lee’s Guiding Elliot is a gem.

Written by a fly fishing postal worker (there’s probably an interesting story line there too) from Missoula, Guiding Elliot transports you into the intriguing mind of one Montana fly fishing guide - Mr. Donnie Phillips.

Donnie, more aptly referred to as “Number Three” thoughout the course of the story, is a southwest Montana fishing guide, working obviously the alternatively named Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers for the most part, though a memorable run down the Smith is also woven into the storyline.

The book’s theme is a very creative one - Donnie has been given the opportunity to pen a series of what he takes to be instructional letters to a New York City fly fishing club.  Mr. Lee’s portrayal of Donnie jumps off the page as a comic reality - spend a little time in the pubs of West Yellowstone, Bozeman, Hamilton, or Cascade and you’ll see the real men and women who inspired this hapless character.

Donnie has a trying, challenging summer - ill eqiupped, ill tempered sports, disputes with his boss, fly fishing rivalries, bar room fights, a confusing friendship with Elliot, struggles with his wife, and trying to eek out a living in the new West of Montana. 

Wonderfully written, engaging, suprisely cognitive, and just downright funny.  If this book slipped under your radar before, don’t miss it now.

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Tags: Books: Great Fishing Literature