The Author of ‘Cod’ Takes on Fly-Fishing

We caught up with author and angler Mark Kurlansky on Thursday, July 15, before he disappeared into the Alaskan wilds for a week’s fishing.

Kurlansky will be at House of Books in Kent, Conn., on Thursday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m. to talk about his new book, “The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly-Fishing.”

He said the book is “a bit personal,” addressing the fundamental question: “Why fly-fish?”

“It’s the most difficult method,” he mused. “You’re starting with the odds against you.”

Fooling a fish with a fly designed to imitate an insect represents “an intimate involvement with the natural order.”

“You have to convince a fish that this is really an insect.”

The book covers his own fishing journey and the history of fly-fishing, and the development of tackle. Kurlansky said he grew up in New England and did a lot of surfcasting in salt water.

He began his fly-fishing career in upstate New York, and has since fished around the world — including Scotland, Kamchatka and the Basque country in Spain.

He said he’s perfectly willing to chase salmon and other species, but when push comes to shove, he’s usually after trout.

He confessed he has never caught a brook trout. The interviewer let that one sit for a moment, then casually mentioned he might be able to help.

He also admitted to being a dry fly enthusiast. (A dry fly, as the name suggests, floats on the surface, and the angler sees in addition to feeling the strike.)

“With a dry fly you see the whole process,” he said.

“It’s quite remarkable, having this dialogue with this fish.”

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less