Susan “Sue” Daignault was practically born with a rod and reel in her hand. From the sandy shores of Cape Cod to the rocky shores of Maine to waters around the world, she has pursued her passion for fishing with tenacity and joy.
In her new book from Islandport Press, “A Full Net: Fishing Stories from Maine and Beyond,” Daignault shares stories of her youth and how she became increasingly driven to pursue everything from bonefish and tarpon to bass, wherever and whenever she could. What shines through in her stories of success, failure and friendship is a love for the waters of the world and respect and admiration for the fish that call them home.
“It is hard to imagine anyone who loves fishing as much as Sue Daignault,” said Dean L. Lunt, editor-in-chief of Islandport Press. “Not only does her passion and respect for the sport shine through in writing, but so does her relentless energy and pure joy. This is a real treat for not only those who enjoy fishing, but those who love good stories, whether it’s fishing every summer with her family as a youth, fishing as the only female crew member on a Coast Guard cutter in Alaska, or fishing the waters of Maine in the early morning mist.”
There will be a book launch on Feb. 2 at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. The event, which starts at 6:30 p.m., will feature a conversation between Daignault and Macauley Lord, a renowned fly-fishing instructor.
Daignault graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1983 with a degree in marine engineering. For 30 years, she served in the U.S. Coast Guard, with postings from Alaska to Louisiana. She is now a registered Maine guide, certified casting instructor, and a United Women on the Fly liaison. She resides in Harpswell with her spouse, Karen, and spends many of her days fishing the fresh and salt waters of Maine.
Lord has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fly-casting Instruction from the Casting Board of Governors of Fly Fishers International, the highest honor in the field. He authored the L.L. Bean Fly-Casting Handbook, and has taught at the L.L. Bean Fly Fishing Schools since 1986.
Islandport Press is an award-winning publisher dedicated to stories rooted in the essence and sensibilities of New England. For more information, visit islandportpress.com.
