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Sports & Recreation Fishing

Wisdom River

Meditations on Fly Fishing and Life Midstream

edited by Larry Kapustka & Chad Okrusch

by (author) Rayelynn Brandl, Pat Munday, Kaitlyn Okrusch, Doris Daley, Al "Doc" Mehl, Paul Vang, David McCumber, John McKee, Kayla Lappin, Jim McLennan, Jerry Kustich, Mike Forbister & Greg Allard

photographs by Tim Foster

foreword by Greg Shyba

illustrated by Rich Théroux

Publisher
Durvile Publications
Initial publish date
Sep 2023
Category
Fishing, Ecology
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781990735110
    Publish Date
    Sep 2023
    List Price
    $29.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781990735479
    Publish Date
    Sep 2023
    List Price
    $12.99

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Description

Wisdom River: Meditations on Flyfishing and Life Midstream is a collection of stories, essays, poetry, photos, art and recipes that celebrate the wonders of fly fishing and the wisdom that can be gained from spending time on the river. Contributors from Alberta, Montana, and Nova Scotia each bring a unique perspective and voice as they share adventures and memories from times they have spent riverside and midstream. Story authors include Jim McClennan, Larry Kapustka, Kaitlyn Okrusch, Jerry Kustich, Rayelynn Brandl, Greg Allard, Pat Munday, Kayla Lappin, Paul Vang, David McCumber, Kelly John Dick, John McKee; and Chris Pibus. Poets are Doris Daley, Al “Doc” Mehl and Larry Kapustka. Artists and Photographers are Rich Théroux, Tyler Rock, Mike Forbisher and Tim Foster.

 

Royalty donations from the book go to the Oldman River and the Clark Fork Watershed Conservation Councils.

 

About the authors

Editor Larry Kapustka PhD is is an emeritus senior ecologist. He marvels at the intricacies of social-ecological systems and understands that we must be humble about what we think we know. Larry lives near Diamond Valley, Alberta.

Larry Kapustka's profile page

Editor Chad Okrusch PhD is a professor of philosophy and communication at Montana Technological University in Butte, Montana. He is an award-winning singer and songwriter and has his second studio album underway, a follow-up to his debut album, Wisdom Road. Chad lives in Butte, Montana.

 

 

Chad Okrusch's profile page

Rayelynn Brandl's profile page

Pat Munday's profile page

Kaitlyn Okrusch's profile page

Doris Daley's profile page

Al "Doc" Mehl's profile page

Paul Vang's profile page

David McCumber's profile page

John McKee's profile page

Kayla Lappin's profile page

Tim Foster's profile page

Jim McLennan is the author of four books on fly fishing and is a past recipient of the Andy Russell Nature Writing Award, Trout Unlimited Canada’s Bob Paget Memorial Conservation Award, and the Outdoor Writers of Canada Best Book of the Year Award. He is contributing editor for Fly Fisherman and Fly Fusion magazines, and his writing has also appeared in The Canadian Fly Fisher and Outdoor Canada. Jim is also co-host, along with Derek Bird, of Fly Fusion Television, a series broadcast on the World Fishing Network. He is a frequent speaker on fly fishing and conservation topics at events throughout the U.S. and Canada. Jim and his wife, Lynda McLennan, live and work in southern Alberta, where they fish, hunt, write, and manage McLennan Fly Fishing (mclennanflyfishing.com).

Jim McLennan's profile page

Jerry Kustich's profile page

Foreword writer Greg Shyba is the CEO of the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area in the foothills of Alberta. Prior to that, he was Executive Director of the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research and CEO of Trout Unlimited Canada. Greg has a passion for the outdoors with a particular love of fly fishing. Greg lives in Calgary, Alberta

Greg Shyba's profile page

Mike Forbister's profile page

Greg Allard's profile page

Besides being a caveman, Rich is a genius talent at painting and drawing. His art hangs here and there in prominent homes and galleries but he prefers not to boast about it. Rich is founder of Calgary’s Rumble House gallery and happens to also teach junior high school art. He is the author and illustrator of Stop Making Art and Die, and the co-author of the poetry book, A Wake in the Undertow, along with his partner Jess Szabo. Intriguingly, he calls himself a tomato can. He and his gang exist/co-exist in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Rich Théroux's profile page

Excerpt: Wisdom River: Meditations on Fly Fishing and Life Midstream (edited by Larry Kapustka & Chad Okrusch; by (author) Rayelynn Brandl, Pat Munday, Kaitlyn Okrusch, Doris Daley, Al "Doc" Mehl, Paul Vang, David McCumber, John McKee, Kayla Lappin, Jim McLennan, Jerry Kustich, Mike Forbister & Greg Allard; photographs by Tim Foster; foreword by Greg Shyba; illustrated by Rich Théroux)

An Excerpt from "Line to Table"

by Larry Kapustka

I was in my mid-20s before I lived in trout country and in my late 20s when I succumbed to the debased lifestyle of tying my own flies. My approach was not one in search of aesthetic perfection, but more along the lines, “is it good enough to fool an unsuspecting trout?” The first trout I caught on a fly I tied was memorable for many reasons. I had driven an hour plus for a few moments of fishing before dark. A beautiful 20-inch brown gobbled my fly. I decided that the one fish was good enough for the day. My Mother was visiting at the time and when I walked into the house proudly holding my catch, she remarked, “Is that all you caught?” I refused to let that dampen my joy.

Through the years, much has changed regarding fishing. Barbless hooks and catch-and-release are now the norm. Gone are the days of bringing home a mess of fish; indeed, now even one. This, at least for me, dampens the enthusiasm for spending a day on the water. I have a sense of guilt of hooking multiple fish that I know will have to be released. How is this not sadistic torture? Will the fish survive? It is for me easier to justify hooking a few or many in search of a keeper to bring home. Because only then can there be closure of preparing a wonderful meal to share with family and friends.

I understand the need for catch limits, including limits of 0. While fishable streams and lakes have remained the same or slightly diminished, the numbers of fisherpersons have grown exponentially over the past few decades. Gear has improved so that a skilled angler has few excuses. And collectively this places inordinate pressure on fragile fish populations. There are no good solutions. Even so, I cling to days gone by – and sharing a meal of fresh fish with special guests.

The full experience begins with the ritual of checking and rechecking rod, reel, line, and supply of tippets. Are the guides clean? The drag set properly. Do I have the best flies for the stream, for the season, for the weather? Have the barbs all been pinched? Is the truck gassed up? Tires and spare inflated? Waders, wading boots, vest, life jacket – check, check, check, check. What are the regs this year? This “pre-flight checklist” might be reviewed several times while the snow is still drifting, but it will be checked one last time the evening before.

Once on the water everything takes on a new sensation. Layers of the storied memory begin to materialize from a myriad of possibilities. It might be the majestic mating flight of a pair of bald eagles screaming high above, or the mysterious American dipper (a.k.a. water ouzel) walking on the bottom of a riffle picking off caddis fly larvae. On a rare occasion, a shadowy form slides through the water to emerge on the shore, the magnificent, playful river otter. As is the case when perched in a hunting stand, the depth of the experience is marked by the unexpected appearance of any number of birds and mammals. Or it might be the refreshing smell of bruised mint plants along the shore.

A hatch begins. Silvery flashes at depth expose feeding trout. Along a drift line, dorsal fins cut through the current punctuated by faint sounds of slurping. A frenzied few moments elapse while trying to find the fly that matches the emerging adult insects – which of the three species are the trout locked in on? And then all is quiet. That opportunity has passed without a hook-up. But the day is long, there will be something later.

Commotion along the overhanging sedge mat signals a new chance. Easing into position, measuring the length of the cast, waiting for the interval between rises – it is time. A gentle cast places the low riding salmon fly (a type of stonefly) a couple metres above the spot of the last two rises, a mere centimetre or two from the overhanging sedges. The timing and placement were spot on. The fly drifts into the feeding window resulting in a slurping swirl. Hook set, the fight is on – a strong run downstream, a jump, a run upstream, another jump. She tires, slides into the landing net, and with a headshake tosses the fly. A beaut, unharmed save for a small sting in the lip, she slides out of the net and retreats to the depth of the pool.

Over the next two hours, the big fish continue to take the salmon fly. And then one sucks the fly deep into its gills resulting in a stream of blood sliding along its flanks. This one will go home with me. On shore, a quick blow to the skull plate ends its life. I pack up and head home.

A couple days later, friends are invited to dinner. The trout, with only the gills and guts removed, is encrusted in a blend of sweated diced onion, chopped parsley, crushed toasted almonds, and lightly seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. The cavity is filled with the same mix. This will go on a soaked cedar plank ready for the grill as the guests arrive. It will be served with garden fresh green beans and a blend of whole grain and wild rice. An oaky chardonnay will complement the offering.

As the guests arrive, they are offered an assortment of cheeses, mixed nuts, and smoked mountain whitefish from an earlier excursion. The mood is joyous.

The appreciative guests take their places at the outdoor dining table that affords them a view of the Canadian Rockies as the sun sinks low in the sky creating accents of crimson, orange, and slate gray along puffy white clouds. Inevitably, questions about the catch are asked. I oblige with a narrative that need not be embellished as it is good enough as is. Together, we venture into ethics and philosophy, the gift of harvest, the exhilaration of being in a mostly natural setting. The authenticity that comes from eating from the bounty around us. I deflect the compliments stealing a sentiment I first heard expressed by the amazing chef Michael Smith of Prince Edward Island, “What makes it a great meal are the guests.” But in my heart, I know what made it special were the water ouzel, the otter, the eagles, the fawn nosing the pool for a refreshing drink, unaware of my presence.

I have been privileged to learn how to prepare special meals, to build on what the French refer to as terroir. There is a special sense of place that comes with honouring the unique flavours imparted in the fish from the sediments they feed from. This is especially wonderful with a well executed shore lunch. Sometimes all that is needed is a beautiful aromatic extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and the fish on a grill or cast-iron skillet. Or one can go exotic as the time I infused fresh caught sturgeon with lavender blossom water so that it forecast the upcoming dessert of lavender crème brulee. In each meal, whether simple or exotic, the focus is to honour the fish to be eaten. Each time, it connects in some way to my childhood experiences; each time it presents the opportunity to relive the events from the winter-time pre-flight preparation through the catch, meal prep, and enjoyment. It, for me, is always a line-to-table moment.

Editorial Reviews

As you read through the book, I am sure you will recognize how passionate the writers are about flyfishing. Each is a unique account of that writer’s experience and a glimpse into the joys of angling. —Greg Shyba, CEO of Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation, Area Foothills Alberta. From the Foreword

Wisdom River brings emotions of great peace, wellbeing, and wonder. —Glenn Brackett, Bamboo Rodsmith, Sweetgrass Rods

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