Life on the Fly I fish because I love to because the environs where trout are found which invariably beautiful and hate the environs where crowds of people are found which are invariably ugly; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of an old tin cup always taste better out there. From: Testament of a fisherman by Robert Traver(John D. Voelker)

This is a story of a man, a morning of fishing, and the peace and quiet of the outdoors… just before it all goes wrong. John Voelker, famed author of Anatomy of a Murder, is enjoying his time communing with nature, when a young woman from Detroit arrives to interview him for her Master’s Thesis. Elizabeth Troy arrives at the fishing camp with very little research, a load of questions, and very expensive shoes. (But not for long.)

Over the course of the day John tells Miss Troy stories of his family’s arrival in Michigan, his father’s difficult birth, John’s time as a struggling attorney and, finally, his election to the position of D.A. Along the way the audience is introduced to a wide range of characters native to the frozen wilds of the U.P., from frisky game poachers and women with miraculous births to the famed Paulson clan. In the end Elizabeth comes to know and respect the world of John Voelker, along with the most dangerous obsession on earth, fly-fishing.

  Taken from the works of John Voelker, this show is based on the actual people and places that inhabit the U.P. to this very day. Funny, thoughtful, and touching, this story will leave you wanting to tell these stories to everyone. (And we mean everyone!) 

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