Steelhead Graveyard
Some Rivers Should Be Left Alone
Deep in the Pacific Northwest’s coastal wilderness lies a river with secrets older than the trees that line its banks. A river that watches. A river that remembers.
When veteran angler Bob Tomalin ventures into the remote canyons of this river for what he hopes will be a soul-cleansing steelhead trip, he’s chasing more than fish—he’s running from a life that’s quietly unraveling. Haunted by personal loss and drawn by a need to reconnect with the only place that’s ever made sense, Bob sets up camp where the map fades and the myths begin.
But the river has changed.
Whispers ride the current. Boots appear where no man should be. Strange carvings mark the trunks of old-growth cedars. And the fish—they’re biting, but something’s not right. As Bob descends deeper into the canyon, reality blurs with nightmare, and the legend of a vengeful spirit named Kilchis—the Soul-Taker—surfaces from the shadows.
Steelhead Graveyard is a chilling wilderness thriller that blends the gritty realism of backcountry survival with the creeping dread of a psychological ghost story. Gritty, wise, and profoundly atmospheric, this tale will resonate with fishermen, hunters, and anyone who has ever stared too long into the wild and felt it staring back.
Perfect for fans of Deliverance, Pet Sematary, and The River Why, this novel explores the edges of sanity, the depths of regret, and the question every outdoorsman fears to ask: What if the river doesn’t want you to leave?
Once you enter this area, the river knows your name.
Hank Roberts –
I Love This Book! I am a fisherman from Oregon and I personally fish many of the steelhead rivers including the Nestucca, Wilson, Kilchis, and others and I can tell that the author has fished these waters as well. What a great story with some real-life aspects to it. I just got this book and couldn’t wait to read it. I just wish I had gotten a signed copy from the author. Perhaps I will give mine to a friend and order the Signed Author version.
Justin McCoy –
What a cool book cover. It really gives you the sense of the Native American influence in this book. I am giving this book as a gift to my father who is an avid salmon and steelhead fisherman, but I am reading it myself first and I love it. It makes for a great ghost story to tell around the campfire.
Mark H – Oregon Fishing Guide –
As a steelhead guide on the Deschutes, I picked this book up thinking it would just be a fun fishing-themed read. I wasn’t prepared for how much it pulled me in. The river scenes are so accurate it’s like the author has spent decades on the water (and I’m sure he has). The mystery hooked me deeper than any steelhead I’ve ever landed. By the last page, I was both unsettled and amazed. Easily one of the best fishing-related novels I’ve ever read.
RiverRat – Washington State –
Every winter I chase chrome, and this book captures that gritty, cold, adrenaline-filled world perfectly. The smell of wet waders, the snap of a line in the foggy morning air—it’s all there. But what shocked me is how dark and psychological the story gets. It’s not just a fishing book, it’s a thriller that kept me reading late into the night. I can’t recommend it enough to fellow fishermen or anyone who loves a good suspenseful ride.
Danielle R –
Finally—a novel that understands the heart of steelhead country! The descriptions of the rivers made me feel like I was back on the Wilson or the Trask swinging flies. The plot twists are as unpredictable as a steelhead run, and I loved every second of it. This book blends outdoor authenticity with psychological suspense in a way I’ve never seen before. Five stars, hands down.
Big Jon –
I run a small tackle business and spend more days on the river than off, and I can tell you this book “gets it.” Most writers romanticize fishing, but Steelhead Graveyard digs into the darker side of the wilderness and what men bring with them to the water. It’s chilling, raw, and unforgettable. The steelhead backdrop just makes it that much more real for those of us who live it.
Lisa Tennon –
I’m not a fisherman, but this book still gave me chills. The setting is wild and haunting, the characters deeply human and flawed, and the suspense relentless. Even without fishing knowledge, I was pulled right into the story. If you love thrillers with unique settings, this is an absolute gem.
Dave C –
The steelhead details are spot-on, and the suspense is strong. A few slow spots kept it from five stars, but still an excellent read I’ll be recommending on the riverbank.