Following his academic career Bryan joined Cargill as a Consultant and is presently the beef marketing manager. He currently writes for several publications, like Feedstuffs, Working Ranch and American Cattleman magazines, among others, and for The Cattle Show, a primetime program on the In Country television network. Bryan often hosts episodes of The Cattle Show where he promotes efficient beef production. In addition to his writing, Bryan is a public speaker addressing audiences on a multitude of life and business topics. Bryan regularly participates in triathlons and, of course, is an avid fly-fisher.”  Dr. Bryan McMurry is the author of It's Not About the Fish.

According to the book description of It's Not About the Fish, “Less than thirty feet away from a monster steelhead, Bryan, about to cast, is on the brink of discovering one of life’s important secrets. Suddenly he’s stopped by a chilling question, “What right do you have to cast to a magnificent fish like this?” That thought initiates the recollection of a journey through learning to fly fish that has fortuitously brought him to this point in time.

Having always been fascinated with fly-fishing while growing up on a hardscrabble ranch too small to survive, Bryan’s journey begins on a quaint Montana creek at a time others his age are suffering mid-life crises. That first fly-fishing lesson leads to a host of encounters, each contributing to the understanding that the meaning of life has nothing to do with a peaty single malt scotch crisply splashed over ice, but the journey does. The cast of characters each add to Bryan’s appreciation that what you learn is never as important as what you will do with it.

In the end, after Bryan learns life’s single truth and the secret to all happiness, we return to the monster steelhead. However, life is not always what it seems and Bryan faces an unexpected ethical challenge. Confronting that challenge Bryan uncovers the final piece of life’s puzzle, that there is a life going on around us that is all too frequently missed.  Realizing that the peripheral life holds countless rewards, he discovers that there are even more gratifying prizes when you do the right thing.

One reader of It's Not About the Fish said, “Vivid, that's the word that comes to mind. It's like you're right there on that stream with Bryan. You can see the colors, feel the air, hear the rushing water, pick up the rocks, examine the insect larvae, select the flies, cast, set the hook, and fight, land and release the fish. Bryan's passion for fly fishing ... for life ... flows off of every single page of this book. Full disclosure: I know Bryan personally, but within the pages of this book is the first time I've gone fly fishing with him. And what a trip! If you are just learning to fly fish, Bryan will take you on his journey from bumbling novice to confident sage. Regardless of where you are on the learning curve today, your teacher has been there, done that. If you are an accomplished fly fisher, you'll still learn a thing or two but, more importantly, you'll get to take a few extra trips this year with Bryan and his friends. And you're sure to dredge up some great memories of trips gone by. This is a humorous, informative, intimate and friendly excursion into the mind and experiences of a California cowboy who has a zest for learning and life that is infectious. Fly fishers: Here's a great opportunity to get your booster shot.”