There is a large (and growing) group of women who are interested in angling and many professionals in the sport. Sam is not intended to be seen as “the first.” Two resources that were very helpful for me as I wrote this story were DUN Magazine (an online resource for women interested in angling) and Orvis outfitters.
The shipwreck in this book is loosely based on the facts of the Andrea Doria, an Italian liner that collided with the Swedish American Line vessel Stockholm in 1956.
The “doesn’t julekake have flour in it?” story is true. It happened when I went to my own native Norwegian grandmother’s to learn how to make it back in the mid-90’s. Even worse, my grandmother’s original recipe made five loaves. So, that was a lot of flour to omit.
White’s Ferry was a longstanding institution, running across the Potomac from 1791 to 2020 when it ceased operation due to a land dispute. It’s a beautiful way to cross the river and I am hopeful that the talks to reopen it are successful.
Oh, and sadly, the Nothing Like a Largemouth on my Rod tee shirt actually exists.