Angling Art: “First Casts” by Bob White

“First Casts,” watercolor on archival paper.
by Bob White

Editor’s note: Here’s the first installment of a new series on angling art. We’ll try to post a new painting, drawing, or sculpture every Wednesday. If you have any suggestions for artists we might feature, let us know below.

I’ve been friends with Minnesota-based artist Bob White since we first met at a benefit fly-fishing event for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in 2007, but I’ve been a fan of his artwork for much longer than that. For instance, he did the wonderful illustrations for Tom Rosenbauer’s The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide. He’s more than just an artist, though: he’s a real-deal sportsman and angler. Bob guided fly fishers in Alaska and Argentina for many years, and he continues to lead groups of anglers to far-flung destinations. Here’s what he had to say about this painting:

Remember the guy who put up with all your knotted leaders, and dodged those first awkward attempts at a back cast? Yeah, that was probably your dad. This painting is all about that moment. You thought that you stood alone in the stream that day, but he was there, beside and behind you, to keep you dry should you stumble, and coach you when you needed it.

You can see lots more of Bob’s art, including great renderings of dogs and wingshooting, at the Bob White Studio website.