What a fantastic evening we had on Tuesday (23rd January) listening to David Profumo’s world exclusive reading of his latest book, ‘The Lightning Thread. Fishological Moments and the Pursuit of Paradise’, which is, in Tom Stoppard’s words, ‘a memoir for every fisherman’s bookshelf’.
There was an exceptional turnout, and David masterfully led his audience through the delectable tales of his fishing career, enveloping us all in a deep sense of adventure amalgamated with both wit and nostalgia. It is safe to say that we were all completely absorbed.
David began, “The book takes its title from a long poem by Dylan Thomas, ‘Ballad of the Long-legged Bait’ where he describes that emotionally charged moment when a fish takes and you are connected by the lightening thread of your line to another watery world. It’s a sensation familiar to so many fishermen and women that one is challenged to explain to the uninitiated, whom I call civilians.
The book tries to explore the many ways in which there really is more to fishing than the mere business of catching fish and, accordingly, I’ve interspersed the autobiographical chapters with digressions; essays on the related aspects of the angling experience such as superstition, monsters, drink, and disaster.”
David gave us a full flavour of this range. He exposed us to endless inspiration, poetry, and angling antics, leaving us gasping for more.
For those that missed it, or those that wish to re-visit the realms of David Profumo’s reading, you can listen in full here:
David Profumo Fish in the Reads 2022 from Orvis Marketing on Vimeo.
Published last year (2021) by Scribner UK, the book is about to go into its third printing. The hardback is widely available, and the audiobook can be found on Audible. A paperback edition will be available before May.
You can purchase a hardback copy at this link: The Lightning Thread | Book by David Profumo | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster UK (simonandschuster.co.uk)
'Fish in the Reads' aims to connect you with the authors behind some of the most creative and well-known books in our world - from brand new launches to classics - creating a page-turning sanctuary for you to meet the author and hear more about the inspiration behind your favourite fly fishing reads, David Profumo will be reading from his latest book, ’The Lightning Thread. Fishological Moments and the Pursuit of Paradise’, which was released in May 2021.
Book your free tickets for the remaining Fish in The Reads series here, including features from Colin Macleod on Tuesday 1st February: Fish in the Reads: Colin Macleod 2022 Tickets, Tue 1 Feb 2022 at 18:30 | Eventbrite
and Dominic Garnett on Tuesday 1st March: Fish in the Reads: Dominic Garnett 2022 Tickets, Tue 1 Mar 2022 at 18:30 | Eventbrite
