Pete McDonald's passion has made its way onto the pages of his first published book, The Blitz: Fly Fishing The Atlantic Migration, a photo essay collaboration about salt water fly fishing that took him down the Eastern Seaboard, from Maine to North Carolina.

An avid fly fisher himself, McDonald says he's written about the topic for a dozen years. Teaming up with photographer Tosh Brown, a native Texan whose hunting, fishing and travel images have appeared in numerous magazines, books and ad campaigns, the duo migrated through nine states to capture the essence of the sport.

"I have been involved in writing about fishing and boating for 12 years, and have a real passion for the subject, as does the photographer who teamed up with me," McDonald said. "We thought the subject had the potential for some great stories and photos."

McDonald moved to Garden City with his wife and two daughters 10 years ago to be closer to the water. "Garden City was the perfect location; 20 minutes from our boat on the North Shore and 20 minutes from the South Shore beaches," he said.

"I try to go as often as possible. No matter how many times I get on the water, it's never enough," added McDonald, who is contributing to an anthology of fly fishing essays due out later this year.

McDonald and Brown followed an "immeasurable biomass of predators and prey on their annual oceanic migration," shooting photos and video footage of their year-long trip and interviewing an "eclectic cast of anglers, guides, merchants and fly tiers."

Fly fishing peaked in the early 1920s in Maine and Vermont and in the spring creeks of Wisconsin. Noted author Ernest Hemingway drew more attention to the rising sport through his writings, including The Sun Also Rises.

Three decades later, the introduction of cheaper fiberglass rods, monofilament leaders and synthetic fly lines made fly fishing a lot more popular, especially in the United States.

The Blitz is not a "how to" guide but instead gives readers a closer look at the fly fishing culture of striped bass, tuna, redfish, bluefish and more.

McDonald, who was born in Syracuse but grew up in Boca Raton, FL, returned to the east coast after high school, earning an undergraduate degree in history from Colgate University and later a master's in journalism from Columbia University.

He was first exposed to saltwater fisheries around New York City in 1998 while working at Boating magazine. McDonald started a blog nearly eight years ago to satisfy his "fishing jones."

The Blitz, a 216-page book complete with commentary and 305 color photographs, can be purchased directly from the publisher for $49.95 (plus applicable tax and shipping). McDonald says the book will soon be available in local and regional shops that will be listed on the publisher's site. Right now, he is selling signed copies to local residents. Email McDonald at fishingjones@gmail.com if interested.