By this point, Cathy had been featured in all of the major fly-fishing magazines. Her skill as a fly fisher was being honed for what would become a career of teaching and fly-fishing travel around the world. Beck wrote her first book, Cathy Beck’s Fly Fishing Handbook , in 2002, with a revision in 2005. Her DVD, From First Cast to Double Haul (2008), has helped hundreds of people get started in fly fishing and has helped many others to unravel the mystery of the double haul. In addition, the Becks worked together to publish Fly Fishing the Flats (1999), Pennsylvania Blue-Ribbon Fly-Fishing Guide (2002), Outdoor Photographer’s Handbook (2004), and Fly Waters Near & Far (2005). Cathy and Barry lived in Benton, Pennsylvania, near their home stream of Fishing Creek. They offered guiding, and Cathy taught private casting classes. Together with Frontiers International, they hosted fly-fishing trips around the world, as well as safari photography trips to Africa. Cathy passed away in Argentina in 2024 while on the stream doing what she loved.
You can still book guided trips with Barry and his expert fly-fishing crew of guides.
What happens when you lose your fishing buddy, business partner, your muse, and your loving wife all in one moment? Award-winning filmmaker Joshua Caldwell, director of the Netflix hit “Mending the Line,” once again tackles the subjects of loss, healing, and recovery in the sweeping story of fly-fishing’s best-known and influential couple. Cathy was a longtime area resident and world- renowned fly fisherwoman who passed away in 2024, and this is the story of her lasting legacy.
Wandell Inn Winter 24-Half_Layout 1 12/11/23 6:06 PM Page 1
BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY
Six Luxury rooms for today’s distinguished travelers who are looking for a comfortable home away from home! Wandell Inn 240 Main Street Benton, PA 17814 570-394-7033 www.wandellinn.com
Documentary produced by Fly Fisherman Magazine Bio by the American Museum of Fly Fishing
CATHY BECK (1952-2024) One name that is synonymous with fly fishing and casting instruction is Cathy Beck. Beck was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania. Her family owned a farm, and it was not unusual for Beck and her siblings to be found fishing in the ponds and local streams. She began to fly fish in 1978 after receiving casting instruction from another Pennsylvania native, Barry Beck. The pair had been inseparable since. The couple eventually purchased his parents’ sporting goods store in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and decided to expand some of the store’s offerings. A fly-fishing school and guiding services were added, and the focus of the retail merchandise was changed. While operating this store, the Becks traveled in pursuit of photographic oppor- tunities and began to have images published. The Becks sold the store in 1992 so that they could pursue careers centered on fly fishing and photography.
A Picturesque Inn Nestled in the charming Village of Benton Pennsylvania... just a short drive from both Ricketts Glen State Park and Bloomsburg University. Each one of our six guest rooms is uniquely designed and features works by local artists. Our complimentary coffee bar awaits your visit.
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
16
Powered by FlippingBook