Charles Gaines

Writer · 1942 – 2026 · Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Charles Latham Gaines Jr. (January 6, 1942 – July 21, 2026) was an American writer and outdoorsman, notable for numerous works in both the fiction and non-fiction genres. His writing most typically concerns the outdoors sports of fishing in general and fly fishing in particular, as well as upland bird hunting and mountaineering, often with an intellectual and philosophical bent, and an eye towards the various cultures and traditions surrounding different forms of fishing around the world. In addition to his outdoors writings, Gaines covered the 'Golden Age' of professional bodybuilding and is the co-author (with George Butler, who did the photography) of Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding (1974), considered the definitive journalistic work in that field, and credited with bringing greater awareness to a specialized subculture, as well as helping to launch the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gaines also narrated and contributed to the documentary film of the same name. Gaines was active in the conservation movement and in particular the stewardship of the North American Atlantic Salmon fisheries. He served on the board of directors of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He was also the co-creator of the sport of paintball, following a discussion about whether or not a person who lived primarily in a city could survive in the wilderness.