Excellence in Craft for “The Stars in Our Eyes”
We’re thrilled to announce that California Fly Fisher contributor Jody Martin has been awarded First Place for Best Outdoor Feature Article by the Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC). His moving essay, “The Stars in Our Eyes,” appeared in our Fall 2024 issue and has now earned top honors among outdoor journalism across the West.
The award is part of OWAC’s annual Excellence in Craft Awards, which recognize outstanding writing and media in the fields of outdoor recreation, travel, and conservation. Each submission is reviewed by a panel of editors, photographers, and media professionals.
In “The Stars in Our Eyes,” Jody reflects on a powerful weekend spent volunteering with Casting for Recovery, a nonprofit that offers fly fishing retreats for women recovering from breast cancer. With lyrical prose and a scientist’s eye for detail, Jody captures the vulnerability, strength, and unexpected joy shared by a group of strangers who come together in nature. His story is a reminder of fly fishing’s capacity to heal and connect us—sometimes in ways we never expect.
Jody is not only an award-winning writer but also a professional marine biologist, currently serving as Associate Vice President for Research and Curator of Crustacea at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His fly fishing essays have appeared in TROUT, The Drake, Tail, American Fly Fishing, and of course, right here at California Fly Fisher.
We’re honored to publish Jody’s work and proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.
→ Read the award-winning article: “The Stars in Our Eyes”
→ See the full list of OWAC award winners: OWAC 2025 EIC Awards
