Nick Lyons

Nick Lyons (1932-present) was a fly-fisherman and angler who wrote for several magazines, published several books, and began a publishing company called Lyons Press.
== Early life ==
Nick Lyons was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1932. He began fishing at the age of 3 at his grandfather’s hotel, the Laurel House, in the Catskill Mountains.Lawson, Carol. “He Fishes. She Paints. The Twain Meet.” The New York Times. The New York Times, January 1, 1997. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and then served in the United States Army. At the age of 21, he began fly fishing, a passion that would last for the rest of his life.MacAllister, Patricio. “Interview with Nick Lyons.” Fly Dreamers, June 12, 2013. https://www.flydreamers.com/en/articles/interview-with-nick-lyons-a100. In 1963, he earned a doctorate in English from the University of Michigan.
==Teaching career==
Following his graduation from the University of Michigan, Lyons began working at the University of MichiganScott, Kim Allen. “Historical Note.” Nick Lyons Ephemera Collection, 1932-2005. Montana State University, Special Collections and Archival Informatics, 2011. as an English professor.“Nick Lyons.” Simon & Schuster. Accessed February 1, 2021. https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Nick-Lyons/154175715. He then accepted a position at Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY) as an English literature professor in 1961.Smart, Paul. “Legendary Angler Lyons Remembers Opening Days.” Hudson Valley One, March 29, 2013. https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2013/03/29/legendary-angler-lyons-remembers-opening-days/. At the same time, he worked as an editor at Crowns Publishers. He worked at CUNY from 1961 to 1988 and served as the executive editor of Crown Publishers from 1964 to 1974.“Nick Lyons.” FineReads. Accessed February 1, 2021. https://www.finereads.com/author/nick-lyons. 
==Publishing and writing career==
Lyons wrote from the age of 26 to 36, when he was first published in Field & Stream magazine. He continued a successful writing career, composing many articles for a variety of publications and eleven books over the course of his time as a writer. In particular, he wrote a last-page column called the “Seasonable Angler” for Fly Fisherman magazine for over twenty years.
In 1977, Lyons acquired the rights to Art Flick’s Streamside Guide, which inspired him to eventually create his first publishing company as a subsidiary of Benn Brothers, Ltd. In 1984, he bought out the subsidiary rights, and Nick Lyons Books became an independent incorporated company called Nick Lyons Books, Inc. The company initially focused on publishing books on fly fishing, but the list eventually expanded to include works on natural history, adventure, and a wide variety of outdoor activities.Barnes, Jim. “The Lyons Press: Fishing for Great Literature - and Niche Marketing Success.” Independent Publisher - feature. Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=419. In 1981, Nick Lyons partnered with Peter Burford, and the publishing house became Lyons & Burford, Publishers. Lyons served as the president of the company for several years.“A Flyfisher's World.” Kirkus Reviews. Atlantic Monthly, June 1, 1996. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nick-lyons/a-flyfishers-world/. 
“Nick Lyons.” FineReads. Accessed February 1, 2021. In 1997, Peter Burford left the company, and its name changed again to the Lyons Press. In 1997, Lyons’ son Tony took over the company as the president and publisher. Nick remained as the Chairman of the Board. In 2001, Globe Pequot Press of Guilford, Connecticut acquired Lyons Press.
==Personal life==
In 1957, Lyons married artist Mari Blumeau. The two had four children: Paul, Charles, Jennifer, and Anthony (nicknamed Tony). Mari has illustrated many of her husband’s books“Mari Lyons.” American Museum Of Fly Fishing. Accessed February 1, 2021. https://www.amff.org/portfolio/graceful-rise-today/agr-mari-lyons/. and is a prolific artist.
==Later years==
Lyons now lives in New York City with his wife Mari.
==Publications==
* Lyons, Nick. The Sony Vision. New York: Crown Publishers, 1976.
* Lyons, Nick. Confessions of a Fly Fishing Addict. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1989.
* Lyons, Nick. Bright Rivers. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1977.
* Lyons, Nick. The Seasonable Angler. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1999.
* Lyons, Nick. My Secret Fishing Life. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1999.
* Lyons, Nick. A Flyfisher's World. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1996.
* Lyons, Nick. Spring Creek. New York, NY: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1992.
Category:1932 births
Category:University of Michigan alumni
Category: American fishermans