Casting Onward: Fishing Adventures in Search of America's Native Gamefish

The long wait was over! I had eagerly awaited the arrival of Casting Onward for what seemed forever. I read its precursor, Casting Forward, and couldn’t wait to read this one. I opened the book and dove into the amazing world of native trout. I was not disappointed.The author, Steve Ramirez, has PTSD and,as a former Marine and peace officer, has seen far more horror in the world than anyone has a right to experience. That is not his focus. But it needs to be said that he could’ve withered away, or survived and thrived. Luckily for us he chose the latter.Steve writes invitingly so the reader feels like they are participants in his quests. His zest for his explorations is infectious. Who fishes off of a step ladder? Steve! Who descends a 70° incline on a cliff to fish the churning waters below? Steve! He channels his inner child throughout the book. One of my favorite quotes is “Growing up is overrated.”Casting Onward is a fishing book but it’s so much more. It’s themes encompass family, nature, and conflicts created by mankind that affect nature as well as man himself.Steve is at heart a naturalist. His descriptions of flora and fauna and place create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. He has a special love for native trout and their places and that love shines through! There are a few chapters that feature native fish other than trout. He loves them no less.His adventures inform his views of how man is adversely affecting nature. The author notes with sadness the loss of species and habitat both in his beloved Texas Hill Country and elsewhere. Steve gently makes suggestions for ways to remedy some of the problems. He challenges us to do better with our treatment of nature. He infers that we can all contribute with our participation and votes, whether opposing questionable development, or creating more open space and even recycling.In summary, this quote from the book sums up Steve’s thoughts in his book. “I love wild, native trout, even if I will never be able to catch them. I love wilderness, even if I will never step foot within its borders. It's time we begin changing the way we love people and things. It isn't a "natural resource," it'sa natural part of our homeland. We are a part of this community, not apartfrom it. Think about it--every angler, hunter, hiker, paddler, climber, and scuba diver needs to become a naturalist.” Amen!I highly recommend this book!

"Casting Onward is the second book I've read from Steve Ramirez. I've enjoyed this book like a meal - I read it slowly and felt in sync with Steve and his obvious admiration and appreciation of people, places and the fish that lured him to many brilliantly-described treasures. Each page has me thinking about many things I can also relate to in my life and I've turned up the corners of many pages so I can go back and revisit a thought, or a place he calls attention to, in a very grateful and personal way. Heck, when Steve writes about Guadalupe Bass I want to buy a plane ticket so I can come float the Llano!The tone and cadence of Casting Onward is as much a treasure as what he shares on the pages of this book. His hope and optimism is refreshing and his gratitude makes the waterways in this book more like altars. Thanks for this great escape. Amazing.

After gifting us with Casting Forward, Steve Ramirez has once again written beautiful words in the second of the series-Casting Onward. My copy is already full of marked up and highlighted sentences. Steve has written a book that is of a living lighthouse-he marks the way for us in the dark and the storms. We know there is something wrong in the natural world but Steve points out the specifics but gives hope. HIs adventures chasing the various native fishes in their environment are written in beautiful prose. You can see it, taste it, and experience what he is experiencing. Maybe more important is the people he shares these adventures with-his deep love for humanity is evident. I suspect this comes from his many experiences in life as a Marine, law enforcement Officer, husband, father, son. All of this comes out on the written page and is a thing of beauty. Read this book and keep it on your shelf as reference not just for Fly Fishing/Conservation but for all of life. Steve has given us a gift and for that I am extremely thankful. My only regret is finishing the book and having to wait for his next one.

Steve Ramirez’s second book, Casting Onward is as good as his first, Casting Forward, and it was great! Fly Fishing to me is an important part of my life and this book compliments all of the reasons why. It speaks to me about the kind of places I love to fish and also how fragile they have become due to the ever increasing impact of humankind. Casting Onward talks of native fish and their habitat being pressured to the limit by so many factors, but also gives up hope that we as humans can still turn things around. The theme of friendship, adventure, and persistence through fishing continues to be told in a series of fishing trips that seek to find some of America’s wonderful native species in very special and unique places with the help and companionship of likeminded anglers. The stories are captivating and the illustrations by Bob White are beautiful…can’t wait for the next book!

Casting Onward is every bit as wonderful as Casting Forward, although it has a bit of a different perspective. Instead of his personal journey of introspection, Mr. Ramirez exquisitely details his love for native gamefish and his efforts to conserve and educate about their importance. He introduces the reader to good friends and sacred fishing spots all over North America, his beloved father, and more great stories with his daughter. He weaves all of these elements together to write a story about our relationship with the land - the land and waters and their inhabitants as living, breathing and integral parts of us and our community. It will occupy a special place in my library.