The Beaverkill [Hardcover]

Ed Van Put (Author), John Merwin (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

The river's history, with portraits of those who affected its life and development as a fishery.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the heart of New York's Catskills runs a waterway revered for its fishing. Indeed, "troutfishing enthusiasts look upon the Beaverkill as 'America's stream,'" says Van Put, a fisheries professional with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In this clear and concise, though not artistic, history of that celebrated river, he details the changing experiences of those living and fishing along the banks of the Beaverkill over the past 350 years. With emphasis on the personalities of the world's fly-tying legends, including Theodore Gordon, Rube Cross and Harry Darbee, as well as with a discussion of the merits of using dry versus wet flies, it would seem that the book might appeal only to angling fanatics. Its engaging presentation of the Beaverkill's environmental degradation and revitalization, however, should broaden its appeal dramatically. Van Put describes how the native brook trout were largely fished out last century, with those not caught being killed by the many polluting industries developing streamside. Happily, the advent of hatcheries, the introduction of brown trout and a recognition of basic principles of conservation biology have helped the stream recover. Seventy archival photographs handsomely complement the informative text.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The Beaverkill River winds through New York's Catskill Mountains and is among the country's most famous trout streams. Van Put has written an engrossing natural and social history of the river, the region, and, incidentally, fly-fishing in America. The Beaverkill first attracted attention in the early 1800s when people discovered its abundance of brook trout. Soon the Beaverkill was a mecca for trout-fishing enthusiasts, and resorts and inns flourished. By 1850, however, the river was in grave danger. People were taking out huge quantities of fish, while the region's growing tannery industry was dumping pollutants into the river. Concerned individuals fought back, resulting in some of America's earliest conservation efforts in the areas of fish management and restocking. Meanwhile, fly-fishing was changing, too, with the advent of the dry fly and new fishing tactics. Throughout, Van Put is a passionate advocate for the river. Brian McCombie

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558214755
• ISBN-13: 978-1558214750
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,080,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Characters Come To Life, November 12, 2007

By 

Randy Kadish "Author of The Bad, The Good and... (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beaverkill: The History of a River and its People (Paperback)

This book is unbelievably well-researched. Ed describes the complete history of one of American's great fly-fishing rivers; yet he never loses sight that what made the Beaverkill special was many of its anglers, whom he brings to life. Like all great history books, The Beaverkill is much more than a telling of facts and events. I don't see how anyone could have written a better book about my favorite river. Everytime I stand in its water I feel that I'm standing in history and that I'm part of something so, so special, thanks to Ed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard life of a trout stream, October 16, 2007

By 

George T. Shannon (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beaverkill (Hardcover)

Ed's book details the life and struggle of this famous trout stream since colonial times. It has not been easy! Intersting reading, especially for those that fish the region.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must", August 22, 2005

By 

JSR, JR (Harding Township, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beaverkill (Hardcover)

The Beaverkill is a "must" for all who fish this river and for those who are simply interested in its and the area's history. The book is a fascinating account and "easy read".