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New Book Explores Life Lessons from Fly Fishing

Kealey Bultena SDPB

David O’Hara grew up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, home to some of the most famous trout fishing streams in the world. Today he’s a philosophy professor at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, but when he gets the chance, he goes back to fish the familiar streams of his youth.

In a new book written with his fishing friend and Middlebury College professor Matthew Dickerson, O'Hara visit fishing streams from Maine to Tennessee and reflect on the relationship between humans and rivers. Downstream: Reflections on Brook Trout, Fly Fishing, and the Waters of Appalachia is about the joy of fishing and the wonder of nature – and is an invitation for readers to become more intimate with their natural environments, wherever they may be.

David O'Hara joined Dakota Midday and discussed the book.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.