Hohnke Outdoors
Rivers of Passage
Rivers of Passage
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Adolescence to Fatherhood on Trout Streams.
A fly fishing memoir set in the New England region of New South Wales Australia.
Ben was just like any other directionless adolescent – impatient to be independent, pass his driving test, find a girlfriend, and enough work to fund his newfound passion for trout fishing. Except his love of the outdoors took him to more places than just a series of creeks and streams around the New England region of Australia’s New South Wales.
Rites of passage have been an ancient tradition since the beginning of time, yet for the most part seem to have been lost to time and change. Do they even still exist in modern society? Perhaps so, though not in the ways we might imagine…
Set in the wild, rugged and pristine trout streams of Australia’s northernmost range, Rivers of Passage is a fly fishing memoir that reflects on the author's unknowing rite of passage from leaving high school through to being a father leading his family through life.
Deeply personal, yet intrinsically relatable for fathers and trout fisherman alike.
Paperback - 254 pages.
I really enjoyed Ben's first book 'Rivers of Passage". Enjoyed following his growth and journey from a young keen fisherman to a dad showing/teaching his own children later in life.
Also made me want to go and check out the Styx area which I haven't visited for a few years. Also looking forward to trying out the fish smoking tip in the book 👍
Reading “Rivers of Passage” by Ben Hohnke felt like opening a mirror to my own youth. Like Hohnke, I spent my teenage years chasing freedom, casting lines into the streams of northern Tasmania, and learning life’s lessons in the quiet rhythm of the water. His stories of growing up, finding independence, and eventually stepping into fatherhood resonated deeply with me.
What struck me most was how he captures the way nature—trout streams, rugged banks, and the solitude of the outdoors—can be both a teacher and a refuge. I saw myself in those pages, navigating a life that is often hard to palate and confusing, yet discovering meaning, peace, and clarity in the simplicity of casting a line and listening to the currents.
Hohnke’s memoir isn’t just about fly fishing; it’s about life itself—its challenges, its rites of passage, and the moments of quiet revelation that shape who we are. For anyone who has found solace in nature while trying to make sense of their own journey, this book will feel like a long, honest conversation with a kindred spirit.
Rivers of Passage evokes memories of my own early journey through the quest to 'master' fly fishing and the intriguing domain of the fish we pursue. The book is a great read for the experienced fly fisho as well as those just starting out ... it provides inspiration to all to get out there in nature and allow it in its inimitable way to shape our own character and evolve to a greater realm. Highly recommended.
This is the first book I’ve read in about 15 years, and it was a ripper. Picked it up thinking it’d just be a bit of fishing content, but it turned into a really easy, enjoyable read with plenty of moments that hit close to home. It’s real, not overthought or fluffy — just good honest storytelling about life, the outdoors, and finding your way. It actually made me put the book down and go chase trout for the first time in 8 years, which says a lot. If you like a good yarn and spending time in the bush or on the water, you’ll get a lot out of it.
Reading this reinspired me want to jump straight into the ute and head to the nearest trouty creek.
I felt like I was trsnported into the New England, feeling the cold waterfall mist on my cheeks and enjoying the crisp mountain air.
A must-red for anyone who enjoys the aussie outdoors.