Chasing the Dark

by Joseph Jackson

Joe Jackson's life has seemed to follow the hours of low light; waking in the pitch-dark to beat the sun and lingering until it's long gone. The stories told in between range from hunting snowshoe hares in the cold of Alaskan winter; Spey casting monotonously to king salmon and waiting, hoping, praying for a miracle; fishing to the very ends of human sanity for steelhead in one of the last great places on Earth; developing a new and profound love for upland bird hunting; and much, much more. Jackson shares and reflects on the adventures and the misadventures, assessing why he and so many others can rise in the wee hours to hunt and fish day after day, yet have a hard time rolling out of bed for work or school. In short, these are the tales of a sporting life-a young man's yarns of chasing the dark and seeking the fins, furs, and flurries of wings beyond it.

158 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

Joseph Jackson is a social studies teacher by day and a fly fisherman the rest of the time. If he’s not on the water, he’s either pining for it or writing about it. He’s been published widely in the fly-fishing magazine world, where he and his wife, Emmie, also feature much of their photography. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska but part of his heart will always belong to the Wyoming he grew up in. He was last spotted at a gas station somewhere in the Last Frontier with a fly rod sticking out the back window. "It’s Only Fishing" is his first book.

Reviews

[Visionary Impart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing the Dark is a beautifully written collection of stories that captures the quiet magic of early mornings, wild places, and a life shaped by the outdoors. Joseph Jackson’s reflections on hunting, fishing, and the pull of low light are honest, thoughtful, and deeply relatable. Blending adventure with introspection, the book explores why passion can draw us into the cold and darkness with joy while everyday life struggles to compete. A rewarding read for anyone who loves nature, sporting life, and reflective storytelling.