First published 2019
Editors David Joy and Eric Rickstad present twenty-five essays where contemporary authors reflect on their encounters with water and fishing. Ron Rash recalls the Appalachian waters of his childhood. C.J. Box describes the river where he plans to have his ashes scattered. Natalie Baszile recounts a frogging adventure through Louisiana's bayous. A young Jill McCorkle stands on Holden Beach in North Carolina, confronting the complexities of growing up. These writers cast their lines not just for fish, but for deeper currents of memory and meaning. The collection moves beyond simple fishing tales to examine bonds between friends and family, moments of discovery and grief, and the quiet revelations that come when people wade into moving water. As Thoreau observed, the fish themselves are rarely the true quarry. The anthology features acclaimed authors including New York Times bestsellers and brings together voices that span geography and experience, all united by the pull of rivers, lakes, and streams.
Genres: nature, essays, anthologies, adventure, biography-memoir
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Setting: Appalachia, Holden Beach, Louisiana, North Carolina
Period: Childhood, Present Day
216 pages · Paperback · Hub City Press