Bookshelf: The Dawn Patrol Diaries by James Card

The Dawn Patrol Diaries: Fly-Fishing Journeys Under the Korean DMZ by James Card is an adventurous and reflective memoir that chronicles the author’s experiences as a fly angler in South Korea, particularly near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). While teaching and freelancing in Korea for 12 years, Card discovered rare trout streams and remote fishing spots, blending his love for the sport with observations about Korea’s culture, history, and landscape. This book is both a personal journey and a tribute to Korea’s last wildlands, rich in nature and history.

Card’s adventures lead him to catches of species such as Korean brook perch (Coreoperca herzi), the Mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri), the Korean piscivorous chub (or “notchmouth,” Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis), landlocked cherry trout (oncorhynchus masou), half-beard barbels (Hemibarbus labeo), skygazer (or “river tarpon,” Chanodichthys erythropterus), the rainbow chub (Zacco platypus), as well as invasive bluegills and largemouth bass and more. He also covers some entomology including the big strigata mayfly (Ephemera strigata) and other wildlife.

But make no mistake, this is not a guidebook. In fact, it doesn’t even mention fly fishing until page 37 (though the author had ditched his last piece of conventional fishing gear by page 55). He himself became a fishing guide in his off time from teaching and freelancing for the likes of New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, The Drake, and other publications, so this book is still likely one of the best references for fly fishing in this area.

Card’s vivid descriptions of his fishing expeditions—from the southern coasts to the mountain streams—provide a window into the country’s rugged beauty, often overshadowed by its urban density. His exploration of regions close to battlefields of conflicts of the past adds an additional layer of historical and cultural reflection. The memoir serves as an homage to Korea, showcasing both its natural wonders and the modern-day challenges facing its nearly abandoned rural landscapes.

Fly-fishing enthusiasts, lovers of obscure foreign history, and nature geeks alike will find much to enjoy in this well-written and witty narrative.

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