Fly fishing enthusiast, artist and educator Brian Hester visits Elk River Books to present his debut novel, co-authored with Barbara Beam, She Talks to Fish, as well as giclée fine art prints of his work, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 pm. Elk River Books is located at 122 S. 2nd St. The event, part of ArtWeek Park County, is free and will be followed by a reception and book signing.
Inspired by students in his after-school fly fishing club, She Talks to Fish is “the story of Maya Jones, a young, Black woman from the mountains of North Carolina, who is introduced to fly fishing through her mentor, Ed Myers. This introduction and subsequent passion for fly fishing offer an intriguing and imaginative tale of respect, acceptance, loyalty, and courage. As Ed mentors young Maya on her journey, her struggles are met with brazen resilience as she defies stereotypes, bigotry, nature, and even death with immeasurable perseverance. Fish are her counsel and through the extension of a fly rod, Maya finds her space of belonging.”
Hester notes, “I created a fly-fishing club at the high school where I serve as a visual art teacher. Throughout the years, the club has gone from being all-white and all-male to being an all-inclusive club with women of color holding equitable membership. I have made it my mission to do whatever it takes to expose and excite an audience who may never get the opportunity to experience the power of fly fishing’s divinity. I believe everyone should fly fish, because it’s medicine, therapy, counseling, and a tool for positive mental health.”
Hester, a native of Boone, North Carolina, grew up waist deep in whatever river water he could find where he developed his craft and love for fly-fishing. He found the outdoors and the Blue Ridge Mountains to be a limitless sanctuary that cultivated his interest in art and acted as a channel for him to embrace his observations and surroundings while fishing the waters from Sylva, NC to West Jefferson, NC. A painter and sculptor, he has been a visual arts teacher for 30 years. In addition to teaching in the classroom, he has taught hundreds of people to love fly fishing almost as much as he does.
For those who can’t attend in person, the event will live-stream at YouTube.com/ElkRiverBooks.
