Excellent book on the healing properties of fly fishing. The author, a Marine veteran suffering from PTSD, has found his peace in the rivers and streams of the Texas hill country. At times philosophical, at others almost poetical, Ramirez has a very good way of expressing the settings, the environment, and his feelings. It is great to find a kindred soul who has also found a way to deal with his demons through fly fishing.

Every since a river runs through it you see a fly fishing story right away you want to read it and so it was this book. Steve Ramirez is a man who has honorably served his country around the world and after one to many times coming up short on the job efforts and dealing with PTSD he decides to make a change and instead of being someone who says some day i will do this or that he actually does it. But he is not the only one his daughter at twenty-one is also trying to find her way in the world. Father and daughter being from the Texas hill country to decide fish all the rivers streams and lakes of the area. This becomes Mr. Ramirez calming spot is church or sanctuary to the point sometimes it is not even about catching fish. There is a pretty good description of the surrounding little towns, country and the tributaries along with a little of life philosophy thrown in. I really wanted to like this book but it was a little bit of a struggle as it is my opinion the author could cut down this story it just felt a little long. But give it a read and see what you think.

If you don't like philosophical books about fly fishing, this is not the book for you. But then not all fishermen can quote Nietzche. Having lived in the Texas Hill Country for many years, I was very familiar with the locations described in the book, but I visited most of them either hiking or on horseback. I didn't start fishing until I moved out of Travis County, but I have still made fishing trios with my son to Canyon Lake and the Frio River. The COVID social distancing has actually created a surge in fishing as its a good way to get out of the house for a while and enjoy nature.