David James Duncan

David James Duncan is one of those people who need no introduction, but we've got one anyway.

Duncan’s first novel, The River Why, was published by the Sierra Club in 1983, becoming a cult classic within the flyfishing world and beyond. Nearly 10 years would pass before the publication of his second novel, The Brothers K, and more than 30 would elapse until the publication of his third and most recent novel, the epic Sun House published by Little, Brown in 2023.

In between novels, Duncan published four books of essays and stories; he had a part in the making of films like "Damnation" and "Trout Grass;" and, through it all, he’s fought passionately for the environment and against unfettered extraction and bankrupt spirituality.

Duncan was kind enough to invite Jason and Copi to his home outside Missoula this spring where they sat in his living room amidst the curios of a literary life, stacks of books, and complete and not-so-complete manuscripts waiting to see the light of day. We talked about flyfishing, of course, but we also talked about spiritual integrity, writing, coming of age and the work still in store for him. At 72, the guy has no plans to slow down, and the literary community is fortunate for that.

Watch "Upstream: An Evening with Author David James Duncan" from the Mckenzie River Trust.

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