JIM CASADA is a son of the Smokies. Born in Bryson City, he spent more than twenty years in the history department at Winthrop University. He is the author or editor of more than three dozen books. His most recent book, A Smoky Mountain Boyhood, won a bronze IPPY in the best regional non-fiction category. Casada is past president of the South Carolina Outdoor Press Association, the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and the Outdoor Writers Association of America. He is also a member of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians Hall of Fame, the Athletic Hall of Fame of Swain County High School (basketball), and the Athletic Hall of Fame of Winthrop University (soccer). Casada lives in Rock Hill, South Carolina.