Recommended Summer Reading

I recently finished a wonderful book called The River Why that I want to recommend to the Leave No Trace community. It was written by David James Duncan and first published in 1983 by Sierra Club Books.

Following his high school graduation, the main character Gus decides to buy a secluded cabin on a river in the Pacific North West and fly fish. Gus is a fly fishing expert from a fishing-obsessed family, so he imagines that spending 18 hours per day on the river will lead him to perfect happiness. Gus soon finds that his schedule is only hurting him physically and emotionally and the real story begins as he embarks on a search of self-discovery, connects with his community and discovers his personal connection to the outdoor places he loves.

I recommend this book because it is hilarious, moving and has wonderful characters. Anyone with a passion for wilderness ethics will quickly identify with Gus's journey to self-discovery and his disgust over the degradation of the environment.

Pick up a copy and tell me what you think!