HANS GEBETSROITHER: EIN LEBEN DEM FLIEGENFISCHEN: By Hans Gebetsroither and Horst Hansen.

1984 1st edition. Square 4to (205 x 249mm). Pp123. Colour and bl/w photographs, b/w cartoon illustrations. Laminated boards.

"Hans Gebetsroither: A Life Dedicated to Flyfishing". Hans Gebetsroither was an Austrian angler, particularly associated with the Gmunder Traun and the rivers of Styria. He was the grand old man of central European flyfishing, notable for imparting the tradition to others, and for developing cutting-edge casting techniques which remain highly influential to this day. Despite not being well-known in the English speaking world, Gebetsroither was no mere provincial. He began accumulating experience in his youth, as a fishing guide accompanying anglers from all over Europe. Gebetsroither thus acquired expertise early, as well as an open mind. In maturity, Gebetsroither was extremely influential in central European flyfishing, and he put a lot of effort into imparting his knowledge and experience to others. He was well thought of from an early period and became very well connected, and was a notable member of the Fario Club. This book is Gebetsroither's autobiography as an angler, recounted in conversational style. Chapters include: Hans Gebetsroither - about this book; A word in advance; Childhood and youth; Decisive years (1927-1938); The Gebetsroither casting style, origins, a description in words and pictures; Years of maturity and the classical period on the Traun (1947-1968); Fulfillment in the evening of life; Afterword. A good read in surprisingly accessible German.