Fly-fishing the Arctic Circle to Tasmania: A Preacher's Adventures and Reflections

Marooned on a river island above the Arctic Circle caught by a flash flood in New Zealand boated with an NFL cheerleader in the Caribbean robbed in a British Columbia motel and bunked with an almost-terrorist in Manitoba this author-preacher from Colorado has had some interesting experiences when going further out to fish. Twelve ebullient stories of adventure travel and international fly-fishing are told here. They are undergirded by a singular autobiographical story that weaves James Whites passion for fly-fishing with his vocation in ministry. The book takes the reader from the Indian Ocean to the River Vltava in Bohemia. The characters met include two-headed Taswegians and Lake Woebegon strong women. In one story you stand with the author on basement of time metamorphics beneath the Northern Lights in another and before the Southern Cross in a third. Youll go on an Ixthus/Christ and Ichthyology/Fishing retreat. With the stories are illuminating photographs of giant rainbows massive moose antlers and Jesus Rays coming through a Ukrainian Orthodox church cupola. The book leads to rumination on Henry David Thoreaus observation that Men may go fishing all their life and never know its not fish theyre after. James White brings to fishing what is often missed. Ask about a trip of most and the question Catch anything? is the most common inquiry. Not for James. He doesnt look at fishing as catching. He doesnt look at it myopically. He looks at fishing as an experience that brings him and all of life together in the human journey. --Mark Henry Miller author James Whites adventures commitments and insights make this book an excellent read with lively stories and James thoughtful reflections on friendship fly fishing and God. I was privileged to have James White as my minister. His spirit of inquiry challenge and devotion come together in this book. --Pam Shockley-Zalabak University of Colorado Colorado Springs James White wades into the adventures of his life with a fly rod in one hand and the Bible in the other. Drawing from journals and vintage snapshots White recounts fishing trips around the world in the warm and engaging voice he uses to tell stories around a campfire. --David L. Weddle Professor Emeritus of Religion The Colorado College As one fortunate enough to be a member of James fly fishing family Ive had the privilege of witnessing the wit wisdom and humor of this gifted storyteller. . . . The true significance of these stories lies in the fact that they are viewed through the prism of his faith and his own experience of the holy tug of Gods Spirit. --Ron Dunn Retired United Methodist Pastor James W. White is minister emeritus of First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs and senior guide for Anglers Covey Fly Shop. He is author of Christianity 101: Tracing Basic Beliefs Brief Christian Histories: Getting a Sense of Our Long Story and Round Boys Great Adventures: Fish-a-logues through Rocky Mountain Waters. He and Patti live in a great Victorian home with Gilda the Golden. They have two adult fly-fishing daughters.