Note to My Readers!
In the middle of the summer of 2025, I sat down to re-read The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout in preparation for writing the screenplay. However, I discovered that I wanted to make some changes.
And…here’s the big reveal.
In this process, the sequel unfolded. While I had envisioned the opening scene of the sequel, I had no idea what came next. Then, sitting on my balcony on a Sunday afternoon, as I revised the last 50 or so pages, it came to me – and it was quite a surprise. Like a big wow! This development requires that I now make even more revisions to set up the sequel.
Stay tuned! The second edition of The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout will be released in Fall 2025.
The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout
On the surface, Ali Stephenson has it all–a secure position at Southern Style Magazine, where she’s risen to the ranks of managing editor and the possessions that a six-figure salary makes possible. She has good friends, practices yoga daily, and takes long strolls on the beach near her home on the Chesapeake Bay. Yet, little does she know that she’s being groomed to take over her mentor’s role as publisher.
Before that occurs, however, Joe Driscoll, the current publisher, sends Ali off to deep South Texas to write about fly fishing on the Lower Laguna Madre. She has no idea that her life was about to change drastically–and that she’d be forced to face much of her past that she has been diligently keeping at bay.
Like many women, Ali has a history of choosing unavailable men, stemming from her childhood trauma. Her father murdered her mother, leaving her to be raised by her grandparents on a farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, Ali’s healing begins when the feisty lodge owner Mama Kate, who has a deep devotion to the divine feminine, challenges Ali to face her demons and embrace her inner wisdom.
The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout is best described as a feminine version of A River Runs Through It, weaving together the complexity of navigating human relationships set against the backdrop of saltwater fly fishing and the connection to nature.
While it is a woman’s coming-of-age novel, men are also seeing themselves within this story. They forge a connection with the prominent male characters–Captain Jack Cooper, Ali’s fly fishing guide and Gus Gammons, Mama Kate’s faithful companion, whose complicated relationship with Kate, mirrors Ali’s own resistance to trust her heart and make decisions for her life that are choices rather than reactions.
What Readers are Saying
Kathy’s Commitment
to Tithing a Percentage of Sales
I have a deep appreciation for the work of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and the organization’s commitment to the healing of disabled veterans through the world of fly fishing. There were times when in my role as Media Lead for the Colorado Springs Chapter, I received more than I gave. I made good friends and experienced the beauty of Colorado waters. Most importantly, I witnessed the incredible transformation of men and women through fly fishing. Because of this, I will be donating 5% of the net sales, split between the national headquarters and the Colorado Springs Chapter.
Being on the water, learning to fly fish, and eventually becoming a guide, taught me a lot about myself. I became more confident both on the water and off. I also deepened my connection to myself and my inner wisdom.
FFI Women Connect is dedicated to creating a community of women fly fishers where sharing inspiration is offered in a fun, non-intimidating environment as women develop and improve fly fishing & tying skills. FFI Women Connect will also receive 5% from the net sales of this book.
About Kathy Sparrow
Kathy Sparrow has been captivated by the power of storytelling since childhood, inspired by hours spent with Marguerite Henry’s Chincoteague pony series and the vibrant tales shared by the women in her family. This early passion naturally evolved into a lifelong vocation, shaping her career as a writer, educator, and mentor.
Kathy began her professional journey as a freelance writer, profiling fascinating individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her academic pursuits deepened her understanding of narrative’s transformative power, culminating in her thesis, Stories that Heal: Building Cross-Cultural Bridges through Literature, which explores how stories can foster healing and connection across cultures.
An accomplished author, Kathy’s novel, The Whispered Teaching of Grandmother Trout, draws from her experiences on the Lower Laguna Madre and has been hailed as the feminine counterpart to A River Runs Through It. Her memoir, On the Mother Lagoon: Fly Fishing and the Spiritual Journey (re-releasing Fall 2025), chronicles her psycho-spiritual adventures in deep South Texas, where she became one of the nation’s few female saltwater fly fishing guides.
Kathy is also the producer and co-creator of Stanky & Cece Adventures, a children’s book series currently in development as an animated series, featuring titles such as Stanky & Cece: Break the Rules (2022) and Stanky & Cece: Out of Control (2023).
As a collaborative writer and project lead, Kathy has contributed to anthologies including The RIM® Institute founder Dr. Deb Sandella’s Mind Over Trauma, Fave Lifestyle Founder Karen Rae’s Being Brave: #Celebrating1mWomen and Their Courage, and Ignite Your Leadership: Proven Tools to Energize Teams, Fuel Momentum, and Accelerate Results She is also an accomplished ghostwriter, with credits such as The Precipice of Life: Leadership and Personal Growth Insights from a Mountaineer’s Edge.
Known as a “Literary Midwife,” Kathy mentors aspiring writers through every stage of the creative process, guiding them in crafting books, blogs, and articles. She has supported the literary journeys of Olympic athletes, fitness experts, and thought leaders, helping bring their stories to life. Visit A Writable Life with Kathy Sparrow
Kathy’s work has appeared in national and regional publications, including E Magazine, American Fitness, Indiana Business Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, Hartford Monthly, Indiana Runner, Saltwater Fly Fishing, and Rio Grande Valley Woman, among others. She has profiled renowned personalities such as Carolyn Myss, Christiane Northrup, Steven Halpern, Kermit Love, and Anita Roddick. She has held editorial roles with IDG Press (the former For Dummies publisher), Master’s Press, and the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.).
As a university professor, Kathy has taught writing, literature, theatre, creative writing, and marketing for authors at institutions including National University, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of Texas-Pan American. A lifelong learner, Kathy has studied with leading figures in human potential, including Jack Canfield, Dr. Deborah Sandella, Laurie Seymour, and Dr. Joe Dispenza. Committed to improving her skill as a writer, Kathy is studying the art of screenwriting with several notable experts in the industry.
She resides in Toluca Lake, California, with her partner, and enjoys yoga, indoor cycling, neighborhood walks, and time with family and friends. For more about Kathy, visit her author site and Stanky and Cece Adventures.