Misadventures of a Fly Fisherman
I first meet Jack Hemingway in 1989 through his daughter Muffet i.e. alias, Joan Hemingway. I had been taking painting lessons from her for about a year and had become good friends, and later as her stepmother. We remain close and communicate often to this day.
Jack inscribed and gave me a personal copy of the “Misadventures of a Fly Fisherman”, shortly after we met … I was excited to read about his extraordinary adventurous life and to have an opportunity to get to know the man better, not knowing I would soon become his wife. He later introduced me to some of the most memorable adventures of my life, some of which were old haunts revisited from his youth in Paris, Key West, Michigan, and Normandy where he was during the 2nd World War.
Jack proposed to me March 17, 1989 (St. Patrick’s Day) I was totally caught off guard but honored and surprised by the proposal. FYI (I was preparing a rack of lamb and risotto at the time, and I burned the risotto) My response: My first reaction was to say, ‘yes’, immediately but felt we should give careful thought for a week or two before making the decision public. Also, he had three grown daughters to consider being they were close in age to myself. So, I suggested we tell no one. Well, the secret was out less than 24 hours … his daughter, Mariel called him the next day to invite him to dinner with a famous beautiful actress that was visiting in Sun Valley. I told him to go ahead, that there was no way I could compare with her. Jack, spurted out to Mariel, “I can’t because I’m going to marry Angela”. Much to my surprise, Mariel invited me too. We all had a fabulous time together.
We set a date for August 5th so that Margot could attend the wedding as she would be returning to the States from living in Paris. Everyone was on board and plans were swiftly being made.
A slight detour happened when we went to Dallas in April to introduce Jack to my parents, family and friends.
We were married April 29th in Dallas, Texas. Jack said, ‘he was afraid I’d change my mind, if we waited till August.”
Afterwards he said, now prepare yourself for a most enjoyable and interesting “Moveable Feast” with me.
We had a formal ceremony in Ketchum, Idaho on August 5th on a good friend’s property, Borden Stevenson, son of Adlai Stevenson. There were over 500 guest attending the ceremony. A three-day celebration … My wedding shower was on Silver Creek (unique spring fed creek in Idaho) where all gifts were fishing gear and tackle. Soon after I began a career in fly-fishing.
Hemingway women were automatically drawn into the sporting world one way or another … I became an accomplished fly fisherwoman as well as proficient bird shooter because of Jack’s tutelage.
I’m so honored and proud to have had such an extraordinary life with Jack Hemingway.
Angela Hemingway
July 2025
My comments about “Misadventures of a Fly Fisherman” and my life with Jack Hemingway.
MISADVENTURES Of a Fly Fisherman is a moving, entertaining and insightful accounting of Jack’s life as the son of Ernest Hemingway and the father of famous daughters.
Jack was definitely his father’s son. A strong DNA repeating his father’s “Lifestyle”. Love of the outdoors, angling, hunting, boxing, fencing and tennis were synonymous being a Hemingway. They were both war heroes. They displayed exemplary courage in wartime. Ernest Hemingway was given the Italian Medal of Valor in 1918 and Jack Hemingway for Honorable Service while a Prisoner of War in World War 11.
And word has it both had an appreciative eye for the ladies.
