The Author of ‘Cod’ Takes on Fly-Fishing

We caught up with author and angler Mark Kurlansky on Thursday, July 15, before he disappeared into the Alaskan wilds for a week’s fishing.

Kurlansky will be at House of Books in Kent, Conn., on Thursday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m. to talk about his new book, “The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly-Fishing.”

He said the book is “a bit personal,” addressing the fundamental question: “Why fly-fish?”

“It’s the most difficult method,” he mused. “You’re starting with the odds against you.”

Fooling a fish with a fly designed to imitate an insect represents “an intimate involvement with the natural order.”

“You have to convince a fish that this is really an insect.”

The book covers his own fishing journey and the history of fly-fishing, and the development of tackle. Kurlansky said he grew up in New England and did a lot of surfcasting in salt water.

He began his fly-fishing career in upstate New York, and has since fished around the world — including Scotland, Kamchatka and the Basque country in Spain.

He said he’s perfectly willing to chase salmon and other species, but when push comes to shove, he’s usually after trout.

He confessed he has never caught a brook trout. The interviewer let that one sit for a moment, then casually mentioned he might be able to help.

He also admitted to being a dry fly enthusiast. (A dry fly, as the name suggests, floats on the surface, and the angler sees in addition to feeling the strike.)

“With a dry fly you see the whole process,” he said.

“It’s quite remarkable, having this dialogue with this fish.”

Latest News

Cornwall board approves purchase of two new fire trucks following CVFD recommendation
CVFD reaches fundraising goal for new fire trucks
Provided

CORNWALL — At the recommendation of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, on Jan. 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to move forward with the purchase of two new trucks.

Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was chosen as the manufacturer. Of the three bids received, Greenwood was the lowest bidder on the desired mini pumper and a rescue pumper.

Keep ReadingShow less
Robin Lee Roy

FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.

She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marjorie A. Vreeland

SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.

At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rafael A. Porro

SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.

Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.

Keep ReadingShow less