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On the Spine of Time: A Flyfisher's Journey Among Mountain People, Streams & Trout
This powerful story of one angler's adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains is a descent into wildness, a meditation on the landscape bathed in greenness and truth, and the discovery of a people living -- on the spine of time. From the solace of mountain streams to the frenetic bustle of Gatlinburg, one of Tennessee's great tourist towns, this memorable journey summons readers to confront the joys and sorrows of life through a new understanding of our place in nature and its process. Harry Middleton had to endure hardships to find the queen mother of all trout streams in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. He had to live through treacherous mountain roads, the cloud of airborne industrial toxins that shrouds the range for most of the year, an occasional blast of lightning, and, worst of all, a helping of rancid potato salad at a roadside diner. Like Norman MacLean in "A River Runs Through It," Middleton makes fly-fishing a religion with its own vision of nirvana, and if it takes an occasional descent into the nether regions to attain it, the author isn't afraid to supply the grisly details. This graceful, funny memoir belongs in every angler's library.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
4 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Harry Middleton
20 books22 followersLittle is known about Middleton's life other than the information he offered through his novels. Middleton died working as a garbage man in the summer of 1993 from a suspected brain aneurysm while swimming at a pool with his children. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Marcy Middleton and sons, Travis and Sean Middleton of Birmingham, Alabama; father, Harry Frederick Middleton, Scottsdale, Arizona; sister, Mrs. Donna Middleton Bates; grandparents, Mrs. Rose Middleton, Shreveport, Louisiana and Travis Jones, Arkansas.
He had previously worked as an outdoors columnist for Southern Living magazine , but in his book, The Bright Country, he writes off his sudden dismissal from the magazine. Prior to working at Southern Living, Middleton wrote in the early 1980s for a magazine called Louisiana Life. His column of personal observations, entitled "Louisiana At Large," included essays with titles such as "The Day the Spider Died," and "The Boy's First Brush with Education."
Middleton was an English major at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and earned a master's degree in Western history at Louisiana State University in 1973. His thesis: Frontier outpost: a history of Fort Jesup, Louisiana, 1822-1846 .
He lived in New Orleans, where he wrote about food, art, music and books for Figaro, an alternative newspaper. He later moved to Birmingham.
Harry Middleton is also widely considered to be an outstanding American fishing writer. His signed books command high prices and are collectable. His first was published in 1989.
Middleton published the following books:
Rivers of Memory, published by Pruett Publishing Company, April 1993, 112 pages.[4]
The Earth is Enough, published by Pruett Publishing Company, March 1995, 228 pages.[5]
On the Spine of Time, published by Pruett Publishing Company, March 1997, 200 pages.[6]
The Bright Country, published by Pruett Publishing Company, October 2000, 259 pages.[7]
Middleton also published a LTD Edition Book called "The Starlight Creek Angling Society" Meadow Run Press.
He was awarded :
Friends of American Writers Award
Outdoor Writers Association of America Best Book Award
Southeastern Outdoor Press Best Book Award
He had previously worked as an outdoors columnist for Southern Living magazine , but in his book, The Bright Country, he writes off his sudden dismissal from the magazine. Prior to working at Southern Living, Middleton wrote in the early 1980s for a magazine called Louisiana Life. His column of personal observations, entitled "Louisiana At Large," included essays with titles such as "The Day the Spider Died," and "The Boy's First Brush with Education."
Middleton was an English major at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and earned a master's degree in Western history at Louisiana State University in 1973. His thesis: Frontier outpost: a history of Fort Jesup, Louisiana, 1822-1846 .
He lived in New Orleans, where he wrote about food, art, music and books for Figaro, an alternative newspaper. He later moved to Birmingham.
Harry Middleton is also widely considered to be an outstanding American fishing writer. His signed books command high prices and are collectable. His first was published in 1989.
Middleton published the following books:
Rivers of Memory, published by Pruett Publishing Company, April 1993, 112 pages.[4]
The Earth is Enough, published by Pruett Publishing Company, March 1995, 228 pages.[5]
On the Spine of Time, published by Pruett Publishing Company, March 1997, 200 pages.[6]
The Bright Country, published by Pruett Publishing Company, October 2000, 259 pages.[7]
Middleton also published a LTD Edition Book called "The Starlight Creek Angling Society" Meadow Run Press.
He was awarded :
Friends of American Writers Award
Outdoor Writers Association of America Best Book Award
Southeastern Outdoor Press Best Book Award
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2019
one of my favorites about the mountains I love. The author captures the locals in all their eccentricities and goodness. To read this is to be transported back to somewhere green and cool,immersed in the deep quiet of the woods
October 18, 2017
Harry Middleton’s book “On the Spine if Time: a flyfisher’s journey among Mountain People, Streams & Trout” is a compilation of stories of places and people Middleton met during his time in the GSM and in and around Bryson City, NC.
In his stories you’ll meet Exie Sopwith who saves Middleton from Molly’s potato salad, Arby’s Mulligan, “Preaching Friar & Pulpiter & Dr. of Phrenology” who’s business card reads, “A man’s whole life is foretold upon the head’s terrain”, and Roth Cromer Tewksbury, a member of the Manhattan Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous not because of his drinking but because it’s easier to meet people there and who introduces Middleton to Carlotta Raynoska, at least in story, as the love he has found in a NY massage parlor.
He introduces you to many more interesting mountain people and talks about many of the creeks in and around Bryson City.
It’s a great book and I recommend it.
In his stories you’ll meet Exie Sopwith who saves Middleton from Molly’s potato salad, Arby’s Mulligan, “Preaching Friar & Pulpiter & Dr. of Phrenology” who’s business card reads, “A man’s whole life is foretold upon the head’s terrain”, and Roth Cromer Tewksbury, a member of the Manhattan Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous not because of his drinking but because it’s easier to meet people there and who introduces Middleton to Carlotta Raynoska, at least in story, as the love he has found in a NY massage parlor.
He introduces you to many more interesting mountain people and talks about many of the creeks in and around Bryson City.
It’s a great book and I recommend it.
August 16, 2020
The book overall was enjoyable, but also kind of bizarre. I often lost myself in the ramblings of the author, and on certain parts the book couldn't hold my attention.
The good parts were really good, and they definitely hooked me (no pun intended), but once in a while the book would hit a snag and become a drag for a few pages.
I'd still recommend a try at reading this.
The good parts were really good, and they definitely hooked me (no pun intended), but once in a while the book would hit a snag and become a drag for a few pages.
I'd still recommend a try at reading this.
April 1, 2020
My reading of his books is always a little tainted by his sad death. Beautiful, delicate, complex, lovely.
October 12, 2020
Enjoyed the subject matter, but way too much descriptive repetition.
August 13, 2024
If you love the Smokey Mountains, you will love this book. The author writes and lives like Hemingway.
January 2, 2025
Excellent. Love the mountains? Read this
June 22, 2025
It was a slow read for me but great descriptions and interesting people. Ir got me wanting to head off to the Smokies to fly fish tomorrow.
December 14, 2025
A chef with the word play and description, cooking a full course meal with flavors never used before
February 13, 2021
Excellent book for anyone who loves nature. Essential book for anyone who loves fly fishing.
July 7, 2008
in the same vein as "the Earth is Enough." Most of this book is about 1 of 3 things: 1) fish 2) fishing 3) nature. Excellent book to read while camping. Has a bit less story line than "Earth is Enough" but is excellent in terms of descriptive language.
January 7, 2011
At times too prosaic, but overall a great story of fishing in the Smokies that conveys a real sense of the isolation that can be achieved there. Great characters abound and frankly, I was sad when it ended.
If you love the Smokies, this is a must read.
If you love the Smokies, this is a must read.
April 16, 2015
The Forester
Makes you feel like you are right there fishing with him & meeting the people that he meets. James Kraus
Makes you feel like you are right there fishing with him & meeting the people that he meets. James Kraus
February 14, 2013
Another great story from Harry Middleton. I wish I could write like this guy. I've never been to the 'Great Smoky Mountains before, but after reading this book, I have. Thanks Harry.
March 12, 2014
Middleton's reflections on fishing in the Smoky Mountains are must reading for any serious fly angler who appreciates good writing and a strong sense of place....
August 12, 2016
A disappointment after "The Earth is Enough".
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews