The Power of Positive Fishing: A Story of Friendship and the Quest for Happiness

Join Michael J. Tougias and Adam Gamble out on the water to see how their mutual passion for heart-pounding fishing action transforms their destinies. When the pair first met, they were married with two children each, nice homes in the suburbs, jobs that paid the bills, and frequent fishing trips. But their comfortable lives had cracks in them, and they soon found themselves hit by the rogue waves of divorce, financial challenges, addiction, and career upheaval. What kept them going—and helped them navigate the rough waters of middle age—was fishing and friendship. Together they not only learned some of the successful secrets of striped bass fishing, but they were also brutally honest in their advice for each other. They began to see their time spent on Adam’s boat, the Scout, as a way to explore new ways of thinking, dreaming big, and being right with the world. The two not only discovered ways forward but began living lives far beyond what they thought possible. The Power of Positive Fishing is an emotional journey interspersed with humor on how two individuals finally began tapping their full potentials, while hooking some great fish along the way.

About the Author :
MICHAEL J. TOUGIAS writes about maritime, travel, and adventure topics. He is a New York Times bestselling author of thirty books for adults and eight for young readers in his “True Rescue” series. Some of his books include There’s a Porcupine in My Outhouse (winner of the Independent Publishers “Best Nature Book of the Year”), A Storm Too Soon, ExtremeSurvival, and The Finest Hours (the inspiration for a 2016 Disney movie of the same name). Tougias is a frequent guest on NPR programs, the Weather Channel, Fox & Friends, 20/20, and national talk shows. He lives in Massachusetts and Florida. ADAM GAMBLE conceived, wrote or cowrote, and supervised the production of more than 300 titles in the “Good Night Books” series for preschoolers. The series has sold more than nine million copies worldwide, Gamble is also the author of In the Footsteps of Thoreau (1997), coauthor of APublic Betrayed (2004), and coauthor of a volume of poetry entitled Under the Table (1993). He is the founder and publisher of Good Night Books, LLC (since 2005), and of On Cape Publications, Inc.

Review :
The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue (co-authored with Casey Sherman) “A gripping read!” “A blockbuster account of tragedy at sea…gives a ‘you-are-there’ feel.” Overboard! A True Bluewater Odyssey of Disaster and Survival “A heart-pounding account of the storm that tore apart a forty-five-foot sailboat. Author Michael Tougias is the master of the weather-related disaster book.” “Overboard is a beautiful story deserving of a good cry.” “Tougias has a knack for weaving thoroughly absorbing stories – adventure fans need this one! Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea “A passionately recounted peril-at-sea adventure...described with excruciating intensity. A blustery seafarer's delight, rendered with gusto.” “Tougias spins a marvelous and terrifying yarn....this is a breathtaking book.” “Tougias's terrifying tale will stun you...leaving you breathless, exhilarated, and finally amazed.” “Ernie Hazard’s experiences, as related by Tougias, deserve a place as a classic of sea survival history.” “Tougias spins a dramatic saga. . . . (He) has written eighteen books and this is among his most gripping.” Ten Hours Until Dawn “The best story of peril at sea since Sebastian Junger’s Perfect Storm. Superb!” “What a story! Tougias’ research and writing make the reader feel as if they are onboard the Can Do during the Blizzard of ’78.” “An incredible tale of heroism and sacrifice.” A Storm Too Soon “By depicting the event from the perspective of both the rescued and the rescuers and focusing only on key moments and details, Tougias creates a suspenseful, tautly rendered story that leaves readers breathless but well-satisfied. Heart-pounding action for the avid armchair adventurer.” “The riveting, meticulously researched “A Storm Too Soon” tells the true-life tale of an incredible rescue” “Tougias deftly switches from heart-pounding details of the rescue to the personal stories of the boat’s crew and those of the rescue team. The result is a well-researched and suspenseful read.” “Already a maven of maritime books with Overboard! and Fatal Forecast, Tougias cinches that title here. Working in the present tense Tougias lets the story tell itself, and what a story! Any one reading (A Storm Too Soon) will laud Tougias’ success.” “I'm not a big fan of fishing essays because they always seem to fall flat compared to the experience itself. And I didn't think the idea of two guys alternating stories could work. But Michael and Adam hit it out of the park. They are both terrific storytellers and this book is fun and lively and heartwarming. From a harrowing tale of swimming with sharks in the Bahamas to seals and dolphins and ocean sunfish on the Cape, they make a life on the water come alive. Besides, I am always a sucker for books on striped bass or Cape Cod.” “This is an unusual fishing book that is much more about life than it is the sporting pursuit of fish. With recreational angling as the genesis of their friendship, Gamble and Tougias utilize fishing thematically to masterfully blend anecdotes, metaphors, and philosophical ideas to grip the reader. But throughout its prose, gems of angling insight suddenly emerge that will enlighten even a salty veteran. This book will surely entertain anglers and non-anglers alike.” “I truly enjoyed this book. Forming real friendships in adulthood is rare, but a shared love for fishing is a powerful thing. Tougias and Gamble weave together a story that proves the bond between ‘fishing buddies’ is stronger than the term would suggest, as time spent together in the pursuit of fish can lead to meaningful human connection.” “You’ll feel like you’re on the water with the authors as they use their skiff not only to pursue fish, but as a brainstorming center to cope with life’s many challenges. This moving story proves the benefits of fishing go far beyond bent rods or fish in the cooler.” “The Power of Positive Fishing reads like a feisty, offbeat personal journal, shared by its two authors… It brims with philosophical, often very humorous commentary on the ways and means of how men talk when they get together... Chapters alternating between the writers harmonize and accentuate their journey and overflows with salty stories and thoughtful honesty.”