An Improbable Cast... Called Fishing Partners

A book as much about characters as about fishing, even when the rod is not arched the stories never wane. Told from the sixty-one year-old author's narrative, his life-experiences come together in one galvanizing splash. Meet his improbable cast and share their common chase to embrace fishing's lure. The Cast: Lynn- The quadriplegic brother spawning an optimistic scheme to brave Baja, Mexico, in search of "some big fish." But after riding out a cultural reality-check, brother Lynn returns home deprived of contesting even "one single lousy fish."Hank- The one-armed father who doubles creel limits and defies laws in general... but as well sacrificed his other arm for our country's freedom. The next greatest thing he did was take his six-year-old kid fishing... Darryl- A Mennonite youth who pedals his bicycle to the ice hoping to fish trout with a dinged up yard-sale pole that lacks even an end eyelet. How unexpectedly he comes crowned King for a day. Outfitted with hi-tech gear and state of the art electronics, Darryl gleefully collides with a "raucous bunch of trout ready to compose a lifelong memory."The Asian Guy- Even language barriers can't prevent the author and Asian guy from ripping to shreds that banal saying, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." In fact the Asian guy routinely exits the ice toting a fine catch of trout despite never seen fighting one. The Teenaged Kids- At first there are two, then there are four, ("Where are you guys coming from?") but they are quick learners and provide a pair of old timers a chance to glance back over their own lives while savoring perhaps their finest ice-fishing day ever. Enter here, new friend, Glen, just in time to play a big-hearted role. Mike- The author's full-throttle neighbor and fishing buddy joins in on the steelhead circus "up north." Will you side, here, with fly-fishers or bait-fishers? There is no in-between-you'll need to choose. Rainbow Wilson- Mike's unforeseen nemesis enters the stage at the end of a tiring day. Whether or not Rainbow can accurately identify the species of the giant fish he is fighting in no way infers he can't haul it ashore. The New Guy- A newbie struggles on the trout stream until taken under wing by the author whereupon the newbie is escorted to enjoy, and euphorically so, "My best day ever!"Eddie- A shore fisher with beverages plots revenge against a pestering and darned crafty seagull... and his plan nearly works!Bill W- Whether or not you already know Bill, your jaw will drop at how the culturally challenged author and his wife catch on. Benny- "Great fisher, poor counter" is the word on Benny... and, uh, oh, these game wardens aren't always predictable."The Champagne Cruise": Two seemingly innocent fishers head out in their tiny boat each morning, but when that same boat veers back each afternoon, the two appear to have swapped seats with a couple outright hoodlums. The Old Guys (and there are plenty) - "I can't hear a word you're saying. I'm deaf as a stone wall." Or, "I'm sev'nty eight years old, son. Falling on my ass is never okay." Or, "Hey, Johnnie... I'd like to see them videos sometime." Etcetera, etcetera. Karen- The wife who intermittently enters on cue and off cue to add a woman's touch. The Author- Arguably the most improbable of the lot, he deployed trout fishing as his chosen weapon to wage war versus alcohol... and won! The dust settled decades ago, scars are mostly reconciled, so what's left now is to fish for as long as he is able. A generous supporting cast of other colorful characters, too, tickle the surface to resonate their own ripples and waves. It's a topsy-turvy jaunt that indisputably confirms there is more to fishing than catching fish... lots more. Make sure this improbable cast is the big one you don't let get away