Pavlov's Trout: The Incompleat Psychology of Everyday Fishing [Paperback]

Paul G. Quinnett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1994

Fifty million Americans go fishing every year. But why? This book answers that question and many more as it examines the mysteries of the sport of fishing through the microscope of modern psychology. Paul Quinnett, Ph.D., explores the many, often mysterious, motivations that attract millions to the sport of fishing.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fifty million Americans go fishing every year. What are they really after? In Pavlov's Trout: The Incomplete Psychology of Everyday Fishing, Paul Quinnett (a clinical psychologist and an ardent fisherman) looks through the superficial concerns of tackle and technique to glimpse the mysterious forms swimming below. Why do fisherman tell so many lies? Why are they so superstitious? Is the fishing compulsion related to our ancient ancestor "Fishing Man", or is it a brilliant metaphor for human experience and a profound guide to deep values and a satisfying life? Pavlov's Trout is a delightfully serious book, written with insight, humor, and a deep affection for the angler's sport. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: Keokee Co Pub Inc (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879628058
• ISBN-13: 978-1879628052
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,279,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Paul Quinnett is a clinical psychologist and the President and CEO of the QPR Institute, an educational organization dedicated to preventing suicide. Author of seven books and an award-winning journalist, he is also Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington, and the past Editor-in-Chief of Preventing Suicide: the National Journal.

An award-winning outdoor journalist and humorist with over 1,000 stories, articles, columns, essays and book chapters have appeared in Sports Afield, Fly Rod and Reel, Psychology Today, Audubon Magazine, Newsweek, the New York Times and the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, and the Wall Street Journal among dozens of others. He recently retired from writing the fishing column for Sporting Classics Magazine. He has authored seven books for professional and lay readers, including the classic fishing trilogy, Pavlov's Trout, Darwin's Bass and Fishing Lessons - the first books published on the psychology and philosophy of fishing in 300 years and now translated into Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

Paul is an avid angler, training consultant, and keynote speaker.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best time on couch ever!, September 12, 2003

By 

J. Booth (West Lafayette, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pavlov's Trout: The Incompleat Psychology of Everyday Fishing (Paperback)

This book could be considered a definitive work on .."Why everyone should be a fisherman". And in my estimation - with 30 years of study, research and education on the subject of Outdoor Ethics, the very essence of definition for the word and understanding of ... ETHICS.

Paul Quinnett explains this turbulent topic in a way that no one should ever be confused about it again. With the stroke of his charming humor and subtle, but effective, left-hook-reality, Quinnett powers home the reason for why he is even employable in his chosen profession as psychologist, restorer of mental equilibrium.

If all who needed his services, followed the prescriptions promoted within this book, he'd be out of a job. And, no doubt, gladly on some quiet stream bank, in a quiet spot, enjoying more fishing himself. Let's help him get there and SOON. We could all use the assist!

This is a must have book for anyone who really wants to know the "HOW TO" in escaping the stress and strain of this accelerated, and always demanding society in which we exist.

Read it and breath easier. Just what the Doc ordered: MORE FISHING. Best prescription I've ever received .. and the most effective, too. Thanks Doc!

Once finished, graduate on to "Darwin's Bass" and "Fishing Lessons". Look up Quinnett's many articles in magazines and journals. Read them as you are resting from fishing or just being in the company of the restorative outdoors.

Now .. remember; repeat after me: "The real world is outside. Got to it!"

Arthur O'fieldstream and Paul Quinnett suggest you repeat this until you find yourself lost among quiet meadows and babbling brooks. Now relax. You're almost cured.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fishing man's guide to life, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pavlov's Trout: The Incompleat Psychology of Everyday Fishing (Paperback)

I just put down "Pavlov's Trout" and rushed to order "Darwin's Bass". If it is even half as enjoyable, I will be quite happy. Being a fisherman made Quinnett's book extremely fun to read, but I would recommend it to anyone. He writes in the language of angling, but his lessons are in the context of life. I found the chapters dealing with raising children to be among the best.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars meaningful learning about life, December 27, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pavlov's Trout: The Incompleat Psychology of Everyday Fishing (Paperback)

Quinnett reflects upon life most of the time. Fishing is just an excuse he uses in order to achieve the essence of human existence. It is impossible to stop reading the book because we get hooked all along the lines. Every society has much to learn from Quinnett's approach to life. Ezequiel Theodoro da Silva [e-mail]