Customer Reviews

Brook Trout

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Brook Trout by Nick Karas is among other things a life history of America's great trout species. The book spans millions of years of evolution and the ice age telling the species story. The science is well researched and written in a manner that may be understood easily.The book also presents information about the decline of Brook Trout populations over the last century and a half and the prospects for the species future. Brook Trout according to Karas were first pursued by early settlers soon after their arrival in the new world. That pursuit among other things was responsible for much of the species decline. Brook Trout are rebounding in many areas of its range and its prospects for survival are good. Many anglers are interested in restoring habitat and seeing the species recover and this book presents some ideas to facilitate a recovery plan. This book is a must read for everyone interested in the species recovery or angling opportunities and is well written and informative. Included in the book are some great photographs of Karras and trout. If you fish for brook trout, don't miss reading this book.

I have fished brook trout for 25 years both in lakes and streams, and this book BROOK TROUT is right on the mark. Full of informative information that was not obtained over a short duration. The author of this book gives the brookies the credit it deserves. Rich in history and sad at times, this book tells why the brook trout should be American proud symbol for all fishermen.

Brook trout are my favorite trout (or Char, as the author corrects us) and there's a lot more to this book than the fish itself. It describes the history of the fish from a regional perspective, explaining why, for example, the fishing in New York is the way it is and how amazing America's brookie rivers once were. After reading it, I had a new perspective on American history.

Karas provides ample attention to how environmental problems have damaged the quality of brookie rivers as well.

One thing a reader should be aware of, however, is that the book is light on tactics for actually catching brookies. It's much more about why the fish is in the state it's in and what it used to be before man ruined the brookie's habitat.

Nevertheless, I was so engrossed in the history provided and the beautiful photos that I didn't mind not getting out of the book what originally inspired me to buy it--how to catch brookies. I've read the book twice and enjoyed it each time.

I am, and have been since I started fishing, in love with the little brook trout, and to find a book dedicated solely to this fascinating species was very exciting. However, I cannot seem to get past several blatant errors in the first few chapters, and especially in those regarding the classification, evolutionary history and natural history of the fish. Most of these tidbits are of little consequence to the overall picture, and will make no difference to even the most devoted fisherman, but to a dedicated biologist it is worrying that the author would fail to check some of his facts, and it makes me curious as to the accuracy of many of his other assertions. Reading this material I am struck by the feeling that either the author did not do his homework, or he was rushed and did not bother to check his details.

As for the rest of the book, Mr. Karas has prepared a fascinating and enjoyable romp through the history of fishing for this little fish in our country. I would recommend most of this book to anyone interested in the lore of brookies, but I would caution anyone working through the chapters concerned with natural history to take the time to double check the facts therein.

This book is very informative about the History, Biology, and the world of trout. the book opens with a humerous story of the famous Daniel Webster leaving church one Sunday morning during the minister's sermon to catch the big trout-the minister had to cut his sermon short to join Daniel!

I fish for trout in the Appalachian Mountains. this book is a good resource, and full of information about brookies.

This book is long on historic details and trophy fishng areas, but it is scant on brook trout biology and behavior. I was hoping for a in depth sharing of some of the scientific studies and findings that help the angle better understand s.f.

This is a great book. Much more than I expected. If your just looking for fish stories this is not your volumne. The development of Brookies is covered from the beginning of time up until the 1990's. Well written, researched and detailed. Tight lines.
CAM, ARKON, OH

This book contains many fascinating stories of early American fishing and paints a sadly repetitive tail of the decline of brook trout fishing in North America. Great fishing upon discovery for about decade. Then overfishing, de-forestation and industry reduce the fishing to a shadow of what it once was. It is amazing and disheartening to read of the early days of fishing on Long Island, the Catskills or the Adirondacks to hear of the days where anglers caught 50 or more pounds of fish for multiple days.

Mr. Karas goes through the history of fishing in several regions - Long Island, Catskills, Adirondacks, Rangely Lakes region, Nipigon, Laurentides and other areas in northern Canada. The history he gives of these regions is very detailed and quite interesting. His account of modern fishing reads more like a series of fishing blogs but is also a good read.

Brook Trout can be rather dry at times though and anecdotes and information often appears in multiple places. It seems at times that this was not so much of a narrative book as a collection of articles that Mr. Karas decided to put together. While non of these criticisms detract significantly from the book, they are noticeable.