Vic Johnson, Jr., has never competed in the World Taekwondo Championships. If he did, chances are that he would spend some time finding out what a mat tastes like.
But the retired civil engineer does have something in common with the event typically won by South Korea.
Just as the World Taekwondo Championships occurs every two years, Johnson unveils his latest fly fishing book every two years. And, as of about a month ago, “Fiberglas Fly Rods: International Edition” became his seventh book on the subject.
“Over the 22 years I’ve been writing, it became evident that a lot of people round the world really like to fly fish,” Johnson said. “As for numbers, there are a lot more people outside the United States that fish than those who fish here.”
And, the author said, “there were a bunch of international topics I had always wanted to research so I thought I’d put them all together in one book.”
Johnson breaks the subject matter into seven chapters, including custom fly rod builders from around the world; major rod manufacturers, Tenkara, Spey and Switch Rods; a history of Catch and Release; best international fly fishing books; worldwide fly fishing trips; and reference material.
Johnson, 70, said the response has been good, with requests for the book coming from 14 countries, including Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, Hungary, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Finland.
“My readers buy the books because it helps them go to sleep,” Johnson joked.
Though recently slowed by hip replacement, Johnson has managed to ship books around the world with the help of his wife, Nancy. Seems foreign fans understand that paying shipping on a $25 is part of the deal.
Again, “there are fish everywhere,” Johnson said. “We Americans think we have a monopoly on fly fishing.”
Though the book is in English, Johnson had the dilemma of getting stories about fly fishing and the sport’s products from non-English sources.
“Obviously, you’ve got communication challenges,” he said. “How do I interview someone in Japan on what they’re doing?”
Johnson leaned heavily on Tomonori “Bill” Higashi, a well-known Japanese fisherman, who wrote the book’s foreword and did some of the heavy translation lifting for Johnson.
“I’d send him questions and he got to the people of Japan,” said Johnson.
Johnson’s doing his part to promote the sport by educating those of varying ability and even those who aren’t into it. On this day, he brought out a $500 rod made by the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. The “blank” — the pole that forms the core of the rod — is from Japan. The handle’s cork is from Portugal.
“It’s like a car with parts from all over,” Johnson said.
It’s actually surprising Johnson waited until his seventh book to go international. While working in civil engineering, he visited 40 countries — and fished in many of them.
“In a lot of these countries, you can’t go home (back to America) on the weekend, so what do you do? You look at a museum but after while, you want to do something else.”
So, naturally, Johnson fished, including in Qatar “where people would come by on a camel and wonder what you’re doing.”
Johnson always pondered the history of the “catch and release” concept and researched the subject enough to finally write about it with its roots back to the 6th century.
“The Romans said the general public has a right to fish. Then the kings and everyone came in and said, ‘Oh no.’ And ‘catch and release’ came along,” Johnson said.
Most countries have some sort of “catch and release” program, he said, though some nations believe once caught, the fish is hurt “and that it’s inhumane to release an injured fish back into the environment.”
Later in the book, Johnson solicits “The Top 10 Fly Fishing Books” lists from professionals in the field and from readers who have their favorite fishing spots one can do a quick drive and short walk to.
Roughly 6.5 million Americans fly-fish, according to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation. And, what with three separate fly fishing Halls of Fame, Johnson’s got to be inducted into one, right?
No pondering needed.
“Probably not,” Johnson said smiling.
Johnson’s fly fishing books are available through Amazon, Google Books, or AbeBooks.com.
