Customer Reviews

A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout: Reflections on Dating and Fly-Fishing

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In this delightful book, Gail Rubin guides readers on a thought-provoking journey into the murky, yet intriguing waters of the dating world, from a woman's perspective. I first heard of this book from a friend, but it was the title that really caught my attention. Hmm...trouser trout, dating, fly fishing. Are we classifying men as fish now, and are women just out for a good time with their best catch of the day?

I, then, wanted to discover what made Rubin's book different from others crowidng bookstore shelves. What I found was a witty and reflective discussion, beginning with the Rubin's revelation: "There's a remarkable connection between men and fish, and the tango of angler and trout strongly resembles human relationships." But rather than a pejorative comment, Rubin intends to invoke symbolic connections that lead the reader to ponder her own experiences and interpretations.

I don't mean to imply that "A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout" is a dry, esoteric discourse. In fact, humor infuses its pages, keeping the tone light and fresh. I found myself laughing at dating anecdotes, or terminology, such as "Migratory, Vibratory Trout," "Dolly Varden Trout," and ubiquitous "Bottom Feeders."

Though only 145 pages (It's a pocket guide after all), Rubin's book covers a variety of topics related to the connections between trout, fly fishing and dating, from types of fish and anglers (Let's see, am I an "Intellectual Angler" or a "Great Home Spirit Angler?"), to "Trolling for Trout in Newspapers" and "Cyber-surfing and Speed Dating." And for readers who want clarification, she includes a brief glossary at the end of the book.

So read, reflect and smile as you move through this very trout-happy, very human look at the unpredictable activity we call dating (angling). You will definitely discover new levels of meaning for the adage: "There's more than one fish in the sea."

I never metaphor I didn't like. . . and Gail Rubin's book, "A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout," is as likable and metaphorical as they come. With that out of the way, allow me to offer a man's perspective on how effective this book might prove as a series of pro-pointers on "Dating and Fly-Fishing."

[...]Ms. Rubin uses a number of stories, scenarios, similes, and more metaphors to deliver to-the-point advice on how women can angle a man. . . whether he's a "keeper" or simply a "catch-and-release." If I were a single or divorced woman - somewhat insecure and afraid of wading into untested or unfamiliar waters - yes, I'd sure as heck spring for the reasonable cost of this book. Anything has to be better than sitting alone at home nights and debating the pros and cons on online dating. If I were a barracuda (and you should know what that is), I'd probably buy the book simply to sharpen my bite. Either way, reading "Trouser Trout" would seem like a win-win.

But let's get to some "she says, he says" specifics about Gail's book. . . specifically her chapter on "Natural, Artificial and Exotic Lures." Sure, some guys (err, trout) are more likely to hit on whatever catches their eye, smells good, and looks tasty, but remember: it's usually all hit and run no matter how long the play. The question of gamesmanship and stamina come to the fore, and as a guy, I would think that if you're not up to the game, you shouldn't go near the water.

My advice? If you're a player, be prepared to be played. However, if your heart's on the line, you can only take "A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout" so far. Men (believe it or not) will instinctively know if you're simply angling for a bite. If, however, you sense that something is really clicking, you'll need to be able to quickly separate yourself from the game and stop being a player. Otherwise, that baby's gone.

For some, as Ms. Rubin points out, just playing the game is fun enough. For those determined to keep their eye on the prize, the advice of Harold F. Blaisdell in his book, "The Philosophical Fisherman," should be kept in mind: "All the romance of trout fishing exists in the mind of the angler and is in no way shared by the fish."

Any woman who wondered if she's got a good catch will love the advice in this book. There are great insights on why women go fishing (why be in a relationship), the different angling styles, lures and approaches women utilize, and how to reel the guys in.

It's great fun to think about men you know as you read the section on Types of Trout, seeing how they may fit into different trout type categories. There's also a hysterical section on Other Fish in the Sea, those guys who make women's lives miserable.

It's a fun book with helpful information. A great pool or beach-side read!

Are you angling for trout but hooking only bottom feeders? Ladies, we¹re not talking about seafood. A Girl¹s Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout by Gail Rubin (1st Books Publishers), illuminates the often murky waters of the dating pool with insights inspired by fly-fishing techniques and advice.

If men were fish and women the anglers, trout would be the good guys women want to land. Other Fish in the Sea are the fellows who make women¹s lives miserable. How do you differentiate between the keepers and the losers?

In this witty, spicy book, author Gail Rubin dishes information on catching a trophy trout while avoiding Other Fish in the Sea ...the eels, sea slugs, carp, etc. She guides the reader on quality streams to fish (good places to meet good men), leader lines to cast (conversation openers), and natural, artificial, and exotic lures to utilize. What to do when the fishing hole runs dry, prospects for angling in the later years, trouser trout tips, and tall tales of trout landed or lost round out the book.

Gail Rubin, a public relations professional, is a trouser trout angling expert. During her 30-year angling career, she dated many swell trouser trout as well as her share of blowfish, crabs and urchins. Ms. Rubin knows, from personal experience, what puts the "ick" in ichthyology. First married in 1983, she resumed trolling following a 1988 divorce. After years of casting for a keeper, she landed her trophy trout and married again in December 2000.

"In her informative, fun to read book, Rubin views fly-fishing and the search for Mr. Right as one in the same sport," wrote former relationship columnist Norma Jean Thompson in Albuquerque¹s Weekly Alibi.

As a fly fishing woman, I thought I'd get a kick out of this book. However, the titles given to men based on fish became annoyingly immature after a few pages. The dating advice is predictable, granny stuff - wear make up, but not too much. Dress up, but not overly so. Act interested, but not too much because you'll seem desperate. Ask lots of questions, but if he doesn't ask you much it's ok, you'll get to tell him about you later. What? I couldn't even finish the book. I imagine that the book's topics, as a discussion with a bunch of gal friends and wine, would probably be hilarious. But as a book, it's pretty lame.

As soon as I saw the title, I just knew I had to read A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout. Although only 145 pages, Gail Rubin's collection of dating lore and lures proved thought-provoking enough to savor instead of devour, as I'd intended. What can I say? I was quickly hooked.

Comparing dating to fly fishing is a bold move, but Rubin manages without creating unnecessary wake. From the trouser trout spectrum test, to the glossary of fishing terms and master angler advice next to the wisdom of Kahlil Gibran, Trouser Trout offers a comprehensive approach to wading the relational waters.

Rubin's style is intellectual, yet remarkably conversational. Occasionally trite, but always practical, she covers common sense angling strategies stressing authenticity, integrity (using only lures you feel good about), and reciprocity. Especially interesting is the section discussing what to do when the fishing hole runs dry.

Almost everyone, even the successfully partnered, can gain something from Trouser Trout. The reader is invited to bite at what appeals and to leave the rest. This self-classified Aphrodite enjoyed analyzing which techniques had helped her land her Steelhead spouse.

Rubin's guide makes a great gift for dating friends whom you've advised "Don't worry, there are more fish in the sea." Don't stop with guidance, give them THE guidebook.

What a wonderfully creative way to reach women in the dating pool. I really know nothing about fishing, but a I still appreciated the metaphor that Gail Rubin used to show women how to "catch their perfect trout". Truthfully, I wish I'd thought of it.

I work with men and women everyday with respect to relationships, and often I'll have a woman approach me on dating. And, I regretfully have to tell her, "When you are in a relationship, I am the man to come to, to keep it alive and exciting. But, finding that person is out of my arena of expertise."

Now, I have a resource I can offer her with "A Girl's Pocket Guide to Trouser Trout". The two sections of the book that I really enjoyed most were the end, where Gail wrote about relationships and how to keep them strong. But, I also loved how she wove into her fishing/dating advice, the stories of three characters she created for the book. The creativity of all of the fishing metaphors was great, but then she gave us characters to care about, and who we want to apply the book's strategies to their own lives.

Well done.

Okay, so you find yourself out there, again, what to do?
Pick up this book and discern a whole new take on what you formally thought of as just searching for the perfect "one".

Like many of us Gail Rubin has been there and back again. Luckily for her a bit of happenstance ended up landing her a trophy trout of husbandly proportions.

So what's all this mixing of angling and dating terms? Well, Gail spent an evening with some friends and what eventually came out of it was a book that shows how a bit of knowledge about fly-fishing can aid us in our choices when it comes to relationships. You see it turns out that about 500 years ago an amazing women put to paper thoughts on the intricacies of fly-fishing that very nearly explain how to angle or catch the man for you.

While we read a variety of vignettes on how folks meet, it becomes clear that the beauty and simplicity of choosing the perfect spot to angle and the perfect lure can bring us closer to landing the trouser trout of our dreams.

Some parts will have you in stitches, some will have you lamenting the one that got away, and some parts will simply put it all in a totally different but highly sensible perspective.

Whether you lose it at Euro Trout, the description of a colorful, athletic Rainbow, or the use of a migratory vibratory trout, chances are this little book will come in very handy the next time you load up your gear and head out for a bit of angling.

A fun, fabulous thoughtful and insightful read! Definitely could relate to the life experiences and looking forward to a sequel or anything else written by this author!