Some fishermen fish for sport, while others cast lines into the mirror of their lives and hope that with reflection comes insight. Author David Joy’s book is not only about fishing but his own venture to find understanding. Topics range from environmentalism to family, from Rousseau’s “noble savage” to the ones that got away and from places that remain wild to the worn cork of rods, to the art of fly tying. Joy’s memories include youthful experiences in the Piedmont and his pursuit of native brook trout in the Appalachian Mountains. Ultimately, by poetically revealing the reasons for his obsession, Joy understands the man he has become: truly, a fish out of water. “Growing Gills: A Fly Fisherman’s Journey” is published by Bright Mountain Books in Fairview. Softcover, 208 pages, $16.

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