Picture an American humorist who turned fishing flops and camping catastrophes into side-splitting tales—meet Patrick F. McManus! Born in 1933 in Sandpoint, Idaho, McManus became a literary legend with his witty outdoor columns and Sheriff Bo Tully mysteries. His dry humor, often compared to Mark Twain, captured the absurdities of nature and human nature, delighting readers for decades.
With a knack for transforming mundane outdoor mishaps into laugh-out-loud stories, McManus wrote for magazines like Outdoor Life and Field & Stream, earning a devoted following. His books, blending exaggerated adventures with heartfelt nostalgia, remain timeless treasures for fans of humor and the great outdoors.
The Making of Patrick F. McManus
Patrick Francis McManus grew up on a small farm along Sand Creek, where money was tight but adventures were plenty. After losing his father at age six, he was raised by his mother, grandmother, and older sister, Patricia, whom he playfully dubbed 'the Troll' in his stories. His childhood, filled with hunting, fishing, and exploring Idaho’s wilds, shaped his lifelong love for the outdoors. After graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1952, McManus worked construction to fund his journalism degree at Washington State College (now University). He briefly worked as a news reporter before earning a master’s degree in 1959 and teaching English and journalism at Eastern Washington University until 1983.
Patrick F. McManus’s Unforgettable Stories
McManus’s writing career took off with his humor columns in Field & Stream (1977–1982) and Outdoor Life (1983–2009). His first book, A Fine and Pleasant Misery (1978), compiled stories of outdoor misadventures, introducing readers to semi-fictional characters like woodsman Rancid Crabtree and his dog Strange. The Grasshopper Trap (1985) continued his signature blend of exaggeration and wit, poking fun at everything from backpacking to bear encounters. For a change of pace, McManus launched the Sheriff Bo Tully mystery series with The Blight Way (2006), weaving humor into suspenseful plots set in Blight County, Idaho. His final mystery, Circles in the Snow (2014), showcased his versatility, balancing chuckles with clever whodunits.
McManus’s style, marked by dry wit and vivid storytelling, drew comparisons to Mark Twain and Robert Benchley. His tales often revolved around hunting and fishing, not for trophies but for the joy of good company and nature’s quirks. Recurring characters like Crazy Eddie Muldoon and Retch Sweeney added charm, while his gentle mockery of 'gun nuts' and gear obsessives resonated with readers who loved the outdoors for its simplicity.
Why Patrick F. McManus Matters
Patrick F. McManus left an indelible mark on outdoor literature, proving that humor could capture the heart of nature’s chaos. His columns and books, with nearly two million copies in print, inspired generations to laugh at their own wilderness blunders. Beyond entertainment, McManus’s stories celebrated the camaraderie and freedom of outdoor life, resonating with readers from young adventurers to seasoned anglers. His Sheriff Bo Tully series brought his humor to the mystery genre, earning praise for its clever plots and colorful characters. Even after his passing in 2018, McManus’s legacy endures through fans who cherish his ability to find joy in life’s absurdities.
- Born: August 25, 1933, Sandpoint, Idaho
- Key Works: A Fine and Pleasant Misery, The Grasshopper Trap, The Blight Way, Circles in the Snow
- Awards: Eastern Washington University Distinguished Faculty Award (2013)
Snag A Fine and Pleasant Misery or The Blight Way and dive into Patrick F. McManus’s hilarious world of outdoor humor and mystery!