Mastering the Art of Fly Fishing Art

I remember the first time I looked at a painting by Bob White. My friend had a large signed print hanging in a frame above his couch. I stared into it for some time as I stood in his living room. The painting managed to draw me in toward the rather modest image of an older fellow searching his fly box, knee deep in a misty gray river. This fellow wasn't landing his first Tarpon on a fly, or casting to the elusive Permit, or holding up a ridiculously large Alaskan Rainbow, conversely, he was searching his hand-tied flies for something that would work on that particular river, that particular morning. His line was dry, his net empty, only the solace and beauty of the river accompanied him and I found myself envious of his contentment.

I, like many of us, have often fallen victim to many a fishing video where titles like "Trout Gone Wild", though entirely fabricated by my imagination, would not be out of place. These videos showcase clip after clip of folks casting, fighting, and landing trophy size fish for a solid 90 minutes. My wife, as many wives do, refer to this as fish porn and they are not far off. When you first begin viewing said videos, you get all excited and ready to head out to some exotic locale to slay monster trout like a fish porn star. By the end of the film however, you are supremely desensitized to the euphoric sensations that would normally accompany the landing of a fish of that magnitude.

So here we are, mounting yet another angle to the age old debate between what is art, and what is pornography. Scholars and art connoisseur's the world over have been at it for centuries and little consensus has been reached between the two parties. On this particular front however, let me soundly interject my opinion on the matter. I will agree that there is much fish porn out there, pinned up in offices and break rooms throughout the ranks of fisherman, but the work of Bob White is not to be listed among them.

From his studio in Marine on St. Croix, Minnessota, Bob Whites' work has been featured in many of well known fly fishing author, John Geirachs' books and articles, as well as numerous publications including Fly Rod & Reel & Ducks Unlimited Magazine. His artwork is displayed in both private and corporate collections on 6 continents. Bob is truly one of the most inspiring sporting artists of our day. If you're interested in adding some grace and beauty to your living room, I highly recommend clicking Whitefish Studio to learn more about the work of Bob White. Tell your wife or girlfriend that Bobs' art is approved by the WCLDR, you know, the Wives Coalition of Living Room Decor. (which doesn't actually exist, but if it did, they would approve it.) Good luck fellas.