There's the cunning of a hunter, grace of a fly-caster, a cool-headed approach to wilderness survival and antics of the author and his fishing mates.
You also gain an insight into Witherow's aviation exploits.
He's has worn out one small plane and built a second to get him into secluded river spots.
Born in Northern Ireland, Witherow emigrated to New Zealand in 1971 after living in Canada and Australia.
He began fishing in Ireland but didn't become addicted till discovering the wonderful trout and salmon of the British Columbian wilderness.
Long winters eventually persuaded him to move to Whyalla, in South Australia.
Following yet another migration, this time to Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty, he again found brilliant fishing.
"My favourite streams were the Wheao and the Whirinaki, and to me it was close to paradise, he says.
"Before long the Wheao was destroyed by a power-scheme, persuading me to find a location where there would be so much fishing that no matter how fast the bastards wrecked it, it would last the rest of my life."
His nirvana turned out to be in the lower South Island; he now lives in Balfour, close to the Mataura River.
Witherow writes a regular column for Fish & Game magazine, fishes, hunts, and flies his two-seater microlight.
He's been an advocate for New Zealand rivers former scriptwriter for Natural History New Zealand documentaries.
The stories, though mainly about New Zealand rivers, include early angling days in Ireland and accounts of a team of intrepid travellers who venture to Australia to experience a once in a lifetime fisher's dreamtime. The book is dedicated to none other than Brian Turner and introduced by Kevin Ireland.
Author: Dave Witherow
Title: Open Season: An Angler's Life in New Zealand
Publisher: Random House NZ
Released: October 3, 2014
Price: $39.99
