Sportsman's Legacy

First published in 1993, SPORTSMAN'S LEGACY was the a story of a remarkable relationship between father and son. It could have been the tale of any father and son whose lifelong bond was forged in the outdoors, except that the father was H.G. "Tap" Tapply, who for half a century stood tall among the giants of a generation of beloved sporting writers, including Lee Wulff, Burton Spiller, Ted Trueblood, and others. The son, author William G. Tapply, was revered in his own right as the author of more than 30 mystery novels, including 25 Brady Coyne novels, a dozen outdoor books, and hundreds of articles. This expanded edition includes all of the original book's material, plus more than 60 new photographs; introductions by Bill's son, Mike, and Bill's wife, Vicki; a dialogue between Bill and Philip R. Craig, his co-author on three novels and the author of the J.W. Jackson mysteries; a chapter on tying Tap's Nearenuf fly, and more. This edition expands on the original themes of cherishing nature's fragile mysteries, of loving her wild creatures, and of how an indelible bond formed between father and son can spark a deep and profound love of family and friends. William G. Tapply was the author of more than four dozen books and over 600 magazine articles. He wrote thirty-one New England-based novels, including OUTWITTING TROLLS, BITCH CREEK, and THIRD STRIKE, the latter co-written with Phillip R. Criag. Tapply's handbook, THE ELEMENTS OF MYSTERY FICTION: WRITING A MODERN WHODUNIT, continues to be used in writing classes and workshops across the country. He has also published more than a dozen books on fly fishing and the outdoors, most recently EVERY DAY WAS SPECIAL. He was a Contributing Editor for FIELD & STREAM and UPLAND ALMANAC and a columnist for AMERICAN ANGLER. His articles, stories and essays on writing, fishing, gardening, education and other subjects appeared in dozens of national publications. He was a professor of English at Clark University in Worcester, where he taught writing for fifteen years and was the Writer in Residence. He and his wife, novelist Vicki Stiefel, ran The Writers Studio at Chickadee Farm. Tapply lived and wrote in Hancock, New Hampshire, until his death in 2009. Visitors are still welcome at his website: www.williamgtapply.com. Read more