Casting into Mystery is an artful, literary book written by lifelong journalist Robert Reid. The collection of thoughtful, connected essays draws upon his knowledge of fly fishing literature to set the stage for anecdotes about things more intimate and familiar.
Reid’s graceful writing describes the allure of Ontario’s fabled and lesser-known fly fishing waters while telling gentle tales of friendships made and places met through the sport. He also writes about his relationships and experiences with some of our provincial fly fishing icons, clubs and gatherings.
The book is made more elegant by Wesley W. Bates’s wood engravings set to ink. Both have, in their own mediums, painted a wonderful portrait of Ontario’s diverse fly fishing culture.
What’s most striking is that Reid pays homage to angling literature from near and far and, in doing so, has created a book that hits closer to home.
– Review published in Ontario Out of Doors, the province’s premium hunting & fishing publication, by assistant editor Steve Galea, a veteran outdoors writer and columnist. He also owns Algonquin Fly Tying Supply, an on-line shop.