“A man would have to be a goddamned fool to leave Montana …”

You can’t read Nietzsche every day.

Some days you need to give the deep dark recesses of your brain a break from the prodding and probing and, instead, have some fun tickling the surface with a flight of fancy. Maybe a mystery. And how about having that mystery fold in enough familiar places, interesting characters, controversial wildlife issues, and, most importantly, liberal dollops of fly fishing references, to keep you engaged and interested?

Yes, Sean Stranahan’s back, in Dead Man’s Fancy.

“Sam said you were a man who stepped in shit even if there was only one cow in the pasture.”

So, that sweet little “crick stick” wasn’t under the tree, huh? The family is under the mistaken assumption that you already possess enough fly fishing gear — and plenty of rods, in particular.

Yeah, you asked for a tight little backcountry rod — a supple, glass number that’s almost as intuitive as you are when it comes time to read a little hidden stream somewhere well off the pavement. But you got a sweater, instead. Or a pair of fuzzy slippers.

Whatever. You knew this would happen, right? You ask for something to enhance your “vice,” and instead get a bottle of cologne and a beef stick. Such is life.

Don’t fret. That little implement isn’t too far out of reach, and, frankly, it’s not nearly as pricey as you might think.