Not since A River Runs Through It have readers encountered a book like this. Dedicated to the fine art of fly fishing for steelhead trout, this poetry collection takes readers on the fishing journey of a lifetime. Opening with colorful artwork depicting natural, calming scenes, the book then segues into detailed observations about landscapes, personal connections to the environment, and the challenges faced on the river. The intertwining of artwork and poetry continues throughout the book as stunning photographs of fishermen navigating pocket waters and fat fall steelhead in their native waters. Other poems and pictures emphasize the importance of passing the fly fishing tradition from generation to generation and how this heritage is paramount to conservation.

What also makes this work unique is the use of metaphor and symbolism to open significant conversations about the angling heritage. "The hatch was not like yesterday's, / when mayflies filled the air," states the speaker in the poem "Poetic Justice." Readers can interpret the line "The hatch was not like yesterday's" as a metaphor for the changes in values and traditions from one generation to the next, especially in regard to the outdoors. At the poem's center, readers can interpret that the speaker is proud of the time-tested methods: "My dainty flies of yellow or green / brought pride, tradition, grace." The placement of this line is significant: it communicates steadiness, a nucleus, one that remains constant no matter what changes around it, much like the role of responsible angling in conservation efforts.

In poems like "Why We Let Fish Go," the book shares the philosophies of other fly fishing texts like The Trout Bohemia: Fly Fishing in New Zealand. The most significant of these shared philosophies is the focus on respect for the fish the anglers seek. The poem depicts a father-son conversation during which the father explains why they release the fish they catch. The father describes the trout as having a "magical quality" and that the trout "therefore, are friends of ours." The father also emphasizes to the son that because of people's attraction to trout and fly fishing, anglers take an interest in conservation and river restoration, which makes the environment a better place for future generations.

By the collection's end, what readers encounter is a celebration of rivers and land, one that continues celebrating angling but also invites people to drift in boats and on rafts down some of the most beautiful riverscapes America has to offer. Readers also receive the invitation to explore late summer with traveling geese and to experience winter ranch life. Overall, this book explores not only human nature but also humanity's involvement in nature, which rejuvenates, heals, and inspires. Readers needing a respite from the concrete and buildings that consume so much of the American landscape will find solace in these poems and photographs. Devout anglers will appreciate this book for its focus on a beloved craft and sport that is as personal as it is universal. It is a must-read for anyone with even the remotest interest in fishing, rivers, and outdoor adventure.

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