What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fly Caster Who Tried to Make Peace With the World
New edition! Making peace with the world, sooner or later most of us have to. But how? For Ian Mac Bride, his way begins almost accidentally when, in 1909, he watches a fly-casting tournament in New York's Central Park, and begins to dream of becoming a great fly caster. But soon Ian experiences personal tragedy, and then is appalled by the unexpected slaughter of World War I. He retreats into the world of fly fishing and fly casting, and meets unforgettable anglers Doc, a Civil War veteran, who tells how, after he enlisted in return for drinking money, he was unexpectedly changed by the horror of war; Izzy, a mysterious immigrant, who, in his way, teaches Ian perhaps the most important lesson of long-distance fly casting; and George M. L. La Branche who, though torn by self-doubt, writes the book that revolutionizes fly fishing. And so, these anglers help change Ian's hopes and values. Though his father questions his courage, Ian decides to become a teacher instead of a lawyer, and moves near the beautiful Beaverkill River, the birthplace of fly fishing in America. But tragedy still follows him. Torn by grief, he curses the world and loses faith in it - until, almost by accident, he finds a way to come to terms. How? The answer will surprise you. “A maverick and memorable book - I really enjoyed it.” - Nick Lyons, author, Full Creel “I simply enjoyed the heck out of it." - Eric Peper, coauthor, Fly Fishing The Beaverkill "An unforgettable cast of characters." - Jim Witty, Bend Bulletin "The novel is well-written, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it whether you're a fly fisher or not." - John Pitarresi, Utica Observer-Dispatch “An engaging tale of a young man coming of age." - Lee Murdock, Fly Fish Magazine. "A compelling novel that describes one fly caster's search for personal peace." - Bill AuCoin, the Aucoin Report “Great book Mr. Kadish!” - Bill Anderson, Trout Waders.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2007
33 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Randy Kadish
8 books16 followersI'm a native New Yorker. After a good deal of disappointment, I gave up writing. Then my mother passed away, and I found that fishing helped ease my grief. Almost accidentally, I wrote and sold a fishing article. Afterwards, my articles and memoirs appeared in many publications, including The Flyfisher, Flyfishing & Tying Journal and Yale Anglers' Journal.
To me, much of my writing is about how the challenges of fishing and the beauty of the outdoors helped me come to terms with loss and with a world I can't always understand. In a sense, my writing is autobiographical, as it reflects my own gratifying, but at times, difficult journey of emotional and spiritual recovery.
On the long road of my journey, I slowly learned that, even when I don't have answers, I must strive to find forgiveness and self-worth and to connect to the good in the world. (This is how I define spirituality.) I therefore love books where the main characters struggle against inner and outer conflicts and then try to do what's right.
My most recent book is, The Way of the River: My Journey of Fishing, Forgiveness and Spiritual Recovery
To me, much of my writing is about how the challenges of fishing and the beauty of the outdoors helped me come to terms with loss and with a world I can't always understand. In a sense, my writing is autobiographical, as it reflects my own gratifying, but at times, difficult journey of emotional and spiritual recovery.
On the long road of my journey, I slowly learned that, even when I don't have answers, I must strive to find forgiveness and self-worth and to connect to the good in the world. (This is how I define spirituality.) I therefore love books where the main characters struggle against inner and outer conflicts and then try to do what's right.
My most recent book is, The Way of the River: My Journey of Fishing, Forgiveness and Spiritual Recovery
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2007
Mid summer a customer of the fly-shop where I work and order books for, came in with a book I had previously only seen in the back insert of a magazine or two.
Interested immediately, but stuck in the middle of summer guiding, I only got to it recently.
Along the lines of Harry Middleton's "The Earth is Enough," which is my favorite fly fishing book, Randy Kadish has written a generous, cross-generational book that views the world through the lense of fly-fishing/fly-casting.
There is an unfolding of story and uncompromising gentleness and stubborness, that is unique here, and well worth the read.
I am currently carrying "The Fly Caster who Tried to Make Peace with the World" at our shop (www.dragonflyanglers.com) and highly encourage a wide variety of people (not just fly-fishers) to read it.
Interested immediately, but stuck in the middle of summer guiding, I only got to it recently.
Along the lines of Harry Middleton's "The Earth is Enough," which is my favorite fly fishing book, Randy Kadish has written a generous, cross-generational book that views the world through the lense of fly-fishing/fly-casting.
There is an unfolding of story and uncompromising gentleness and stubborness, that is unique here, and well worth the read.
I am currently carrying "The Fly Caster who Tried to Make Peace with the World" at our shop (www.dragonflyanglers.com) and highly encourage a wide variety of people (not just fly-fishers) to read it.
July 21, 2017
I'm going to be brutally honest now
I read a lot of angling related books but this is certainly not one of my favourites.
Now dont get me wrong there was some brilliant parts to this book however I found there to be a lot of war related talk, and this for me is not a subject I enjoy reading about . Personal preference I guess.
Now I understand that the historical part to this book is important for the story as it sets the scene and gives more insight into Ian's life. However as I've said before, not my cup of tea.
I also found this story to go off on tangents every now and then , making it a hard work read for me.
On the whole I enjoyed parts of this book
I read a lot of angling related books but this is certainly not one of my favourites.
Now dont get me wrong there was some brilliant parts to this book however I found there to be a lot of war related talk, and this for me is not a subject I enjoy reading about . Personal preference I guess.
Now I understand that the historical part to this book is important for the story as it sets the scene and gives more insight into Ian's life. However as I've said before, not my cup of tea.
I also found this story to go off on tangents every now and then , making it a hard work read for me.
On the whole I enjoyed parts of this book
January 2, 2021
Fisherman’s delight
From the fist page I was hooked. Yes I’m a fly fisherman, but there is so much more to this story than fishing. It’s s story of a man’s life, heartbreak and joys, beliefs and lessons.
From the fist page I was hooked. Yes I’m a fly fisherman, but there is so much more to this story than fishing. It’s s story of a man’s life, heartbreak and joys, beliefs and lessons.
May 1, 2010
The Fly Caster Who Tried to Make Peace with the World is a debut novel as ambitious in its scope as it is picturesque on the page. Author Randy Kadish, whose short stories have appeared regularly in several national fly fishing magazines, uses the art of casting the fly line to tie together a unique New York story that encompasses love, loss, Pacifism, and other weighty subjects set against the backdrop of the city's Golden Age during the first half of the twentieth century.
Ian, the novel's central character, meets some of the most regarded American fly fishers of his period; he also witnesses the struggles of the working masses in an intimate way. His family is a constant presence as well: first his mother, and then his children. These experiences all add up to a thoughtful exploration of Life, one painted on the broad canvas of New York.
"Imagine Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay with a plot centered on fly fishing rather than comic books" . . . That might be the best way to describe this novel in a contemporary dinner party sound bite.
Ian, the novel's central character, meets some of the most regarded American fly fishers of his period; he also witnesses the struggles of the working masses in an intimate way. His family is a constant presence as well: first his mother, and then his children. These experiences all add up to a thoughtful exploration of Life, one painted on the broad canvas of New York.
"Imagine Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay with a plot centered on fly fishing rather than comic books" . . . That might be the best way to describe this novel in a contemporary dinner party sound bite.
February 7, 2011
This book was considerably longer then the first one that I read by this author. Again I had received a coupon code in exchange for a review.
Once again, the author really delivered on creating characters that were believable. At times the story felt a little slow moving and choppy. However it really was a great tale. I loved the fact that young Ian had met up with Izzy after the fishing tournament.
One thing I came away with was the fact that sometimes life’s lessons come from people and places that you would never expect.
Another thing I would like to comment on is the fact that the father character was extremely narrowed minded towards the beginning. But then again, many people were like that back in those times.
Once again, the author really delivered on creating characters that were believable. At times the story felt a little slow moving and choppy. However it really was a great tale. I loved the fact that young Ian had met up with Izzy after the fishing tournament.
One thing I came away with was the fact that sometimes life’s lessons come from people and places that you would never expect.
Another thing I would like to comment on is the fact that the father character was extremely narrowed minded towards the beginning. But then again, many people were like that back in those times.
January 16, 2014
I mostly enjoyed this book. It reminded me of "A River Runs Through It". I only have a couple complaints. First, I think the peace theme was a little too heavy handed, particularly through the end. I, myself, would hate to send my own sons to war; but I still felt it was too much. The second, is that the main character never seems to mature. He's full of self-doubt and regrets his whole life; more than I think most people are. Anyway, it was a good premise and a different kind of book for me.
April 18, 2011
I really enjoyed the book. The characters were very believable, and I enjoyed reading about the time period it took place in. I'm going to have to work on my fly casting techniques now. I look forward to reading his next book.
January 1, 2015
Flycasting with history and philosophy
I found this to be a wonderful tale of history and fly fishing. Through two world wars to present day, this story of a man's family and his obsession with fly casting become a metaphor for making sense of the world.
I found this to be a wonderful tale of history and fly fishing. Through two world wars to present day, this story of a man's family and his obsession with fly casting become a metaphor for making sense of the world.
November 12, 2016
Different!
As a keen fly angler I was naturally drawn to this book. It is well researched, well written and I found quite interesting although I skipped much of the too involved casting techniques. Really enjoyed it.
As a keen fly angler I was naturally drawn to this book. It is well researched, well written and I found quite interesting although I skipped much of the too involved casting techniques. Really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews