The Jon Boat Years

"Jim Mize knows the outdoors, from jon boats and fly rods to dove fields and pointing dogs. That is why his stories ring true. The tales recounted in The Jon Boat Years transcend time and ensure Jim a spot in the revered history of outdoor literature"—Joey Frazier, editor, South Carolina Wildlife

"Jim Mize has made his mark as a humor writer, but this book shows him to be one of our finest outdoor writers of any kind. He combines spot-on descriptions with searing insights into the human heart, and he is as adept at recalling a month of youthful freedom out West as he is showing us how to pass along love and advice to a grandchild. And, yes, there are plenty of comedic touches. The secret to fine outdoor writing at this level is knowledge and wisdom humble enough to know its own limitations, and Jim Mize has those as surely as he has the knack for a well-turned phrase. This is a book I'll treasure and revisit often"—Rob Simbeck, author of The Southern Wildlife Watcher

"I have been a hardcore fan of Jim Mize's knee-slapping style of outdoor humor since his first book, The Winter of Our Discount Tent, was released in 1995. Now, along comes a book that shows another facet of Mize's writing skills. The Jon Boat Years possesses a healthy measure of Mize's usual wit, but the unforgettable stories in this collection will tug at your heartstrings as much as they tickle your funny bone. Tag along with Mize as he ventures through fields, forests, and streams, hunting and fishing with family and friends, and you're sure to agree he deserves recognition as one of our truly great outdoor writers, alongside such legends as Archibald Rutledge."—Keith "Catfish" Sutton, writer, CatfishNow