Author Archives: Jerry Johnson

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About Jerry Johnson

Retired journalist and college public relations director. Former teacher, coach, mentor. Novelist and short story writer.

Of trout, chubs, and shiners

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

In a way the small brook, the pond, the river, and the sea are all the same to the fisherman. They are places for the imagination to play – a bass by every stump, a trout behind every stone, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cold Water Streams, Trout Fishing | Tagged | 8 Comments

Ready, aim, FIRE!

Posted on April 16, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

The ancient Greek philosophers named earth, air, water, aether and fire as the foundation of all things in the world. I know the concept of those classic elements was dashed by modern science, but they still seem to hold true … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sub-sonic Coot

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

Sub-sonic .22 Long Rifle loads are, in theory, more accurate than super-sonic high velocity loads because of some aerodynamic “disruptions” that affect the flight of the faster bullet as it decreases from super-sonic to sub-sonic speed during the course of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hunting Rifles, Rifle Shooting, Rifles | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The vultures of spring

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

The vulture’s redeeming feature is its graceful flight… If only we could lift away from Earth with that effortless freedom and look down from above upon the springtime beauty of this land. The vultures of spring Harbingers of spring, swallows … Continue reading →

Posted in Turkey vultures | Tagged | 2 Comments

Glazed

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

  Encased in ice the North Country was strikingly beautiful these two days, especially when lighted by the golden-red rays of evening sun as the weather front finally passed over. Illuminated by the full moon’s silver light the scene was … Continue reading →

Posted in March Ice Storm | Tagged | 6 Comments

A writer’s role

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

One of the roles of a true writer is to bring all the gifts of their being to the task of creating art which though conscious of history and artistic tradition demands that you attend to how it feels to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged | 2 Comments

Library support

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

Thanks to all the readers of the Old Coot who attended the February book signing for my latest book, Coot Stews, with proceeds going to Friends of the Decorah Public Library. Royalties check arrived yesterday, and today FDPL received a donation … Continue reading →

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Doo-doo diligence

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

March is the month of pooh patrol. Doo-doo duty. Poop scoopin’. Crap collection. Dung drudgery. Shyte shoveling. Manure maintenance. Doo diligence. Call it what you will, it’s the labor of cleaning up all the piles of dog poop that have … Continue reading →

Posted in Doog pooh, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Late winter doldrums

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

No animal, according to the rules of animal-etiquette, is ever expected to do anything strenuous, or heroic, or even moderately active during the off-season of winter.      – from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932), British writer … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, winter | Tagged | 4 Comments

Book signing angst

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Jerry Johnson

In the entire world there are only 19 writers of creative non-fiction whose primary income is royalties from sales of their books, and I am not one of them. Book signing angst Book signings tie me up in knots. Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Signing | Tagged | Leave a comment