Author Craig Lesley at Josephy Center

Craig’s father was a reclusive trapper, guide, and fence builder who settled out in Monument Country. A favorite uncle ran a sporting goods store in Madras, and Craig’s  stepfather was a railroad agent. His first book, Winterkill, is set mostly in the Wallowas, drawing on hunting trips with that uncle and stories from the Nez Perce. His memoir, Burning Fence, floats around much of Eastern Oregon, from whistle-stop train stations to Baker City. It is described on Amazon as “the story of the men in Craig Lesley’s family: absent father, Rudell, tough stepfather, Vern, adopted son, Wade, and Craig Lesley himself… Lesley’s fearless journey through his family history provides a remarkable portrait of hard living in the Western states, and confirms his place as one of the region’s very best storytellers.”

 

Craig has been a regular Fishtrap reader and teacher for the past 27 years, and he’ll be back at Fishtrap this summer to read and teach. But here now, May 14, at the Josephy Center