Yet More Sweet Days A book review by Ian Cox

'I've known Tom Sutcliffe for three decades, and have always admired his writings. This new book is an intimate look at the sport that we all love so well' - GARY BORGER

Tom Sutcliffe’s latest book Yet More Sweet Days represents the cherry on the top of what has been a lifelong passion that has enriched the lives fly fishers in this country and around the world. Six of Tom’s seven books chart the literary journey of South Africa’s most revered fly fisher. Four fit neatly into the genre made so popular by Tom’s literary cousin, the American writer John Gierach. Two, Hunting Trout and Yet More Sweet Days are transcendent works that combine the knowledge gained over a lifetime of fishing and close observation. I suspect that they will be read again and again by fly fishers for generations to come.

Tom is the epitome of the passionate fly fisher. He has devoted his life to fly fishing and fly fishing in South Africa. Just as JB Smith dominated the salt water fishing scene in the 50’s and 60’s by giving back so has Tom given back these past 40 years or more. We are blessed by the presence of such people.

But this is not a book about the fishing exploits of a great man. The title is misleading in a way. I think could be more aptly titled “Yet More Sweet Memories”.

Tom wrote in earlier books of the three stages of the fly angler. First there is the numbers man for whom catching fish was everything, then the technician who cares more about how and why you catch fish and, finally, the sage for whom fishing, past and present, merges into a tapestry of experiences many of which have little to do with catching fish at all.

I think you can chart the course of the flyfishing writer in similar stages. This is Tom the sage writing at the very pinnacle of his life as a fly fisher and an author. So, I place this book more in the Haig Brown school that Gierach.

There is a majesty to his insights and writing writing that is sublime.

Yet More Sweet Days is a marvellous tapestry of memories of places, experiences and above all friendships all held together by a fly fisher’s life that has been lived to the full. Few if any of us are blessed with Tom’s gifts but passion is something we are all capable of. There are lessons and rewards in this book for all of us.

You can purchase a copy from bookstores and fly fishing shops around the country or you can order your copy directly from Tom.