Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey In Wilderness Values chronicles one person's growing awareness of the importance of wilderness values. It traces over twenty-five years of the author's experiences in fishing for wild trout in the canyon rivers of the central Sierra in California, and the discoveries he made on how wilderness contains the essential meanings of life, how all things are connected and melded by the mysteries of rivers and a pervasive, all encompassing power. The author, Bob Madgic, reacquaints the reader with the tragic loss of the once magnificent Stanislaus River canyon, flooded by the unnecessarily huge New Melones Dam. With a similar threat to another one-of-a-kind river-the Tuolumne-readers can take some consolation that it was preserved through its designation as a "wild & scenic river." The reader learns of the politics behind these events, and which will shape the environment for future generations. Madgic challenges each reader to do his or her part to help preserve wild rivers, places and creatures. Throughout Pursuing Wild Trout, the reader is informed on historical and natural history, including information on the Native Americans and mountain men who visited these special places, the flora and fauna of river canyons, the importance of forest fires, why the spotted owl has become such an important symbol for environmental protection, the significance of old growth forests, the essential features of ecosystems including examples of species interdependence drawn from aquatic environments, and the human actions most destructive to river habitats. This book synthesizes many current environmental issues and concepts usually found only in highly technical science texts. It concludes with the author's summary of wilderness values. Madgic traces his own transformation from a bait fisherman who carted home all of the fish he caught to a fly fisher who now carefully releases all of his catches back to their native waters. The interested angler will learn effective fly fishing strategies for the most prized trout-wilderness trout that Madgic defines as "wild trout little impacted by humans." The reader learns how to locate these valued creatures, and how to employ fly fishing tactics that address their special traits. The skills and knowledge necessary for successful and enjoyable outdoor experiences are related in an entertaining, often humorous, style. Madgic describes real experiences drawn from his decades of fishing for wilderness trout, many of which reveal the unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, but always rewarding, sides to outdoor adventures. Pursuing Wild Trout is richly illustrated with black and white sketches portraying events in the text. It also contains a magnificent 16-page insert of color photos that portray the wonders of rivers as well as other scenes and activities central to the book.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey in Wilderness Values is a wonderfully rich book, as lyrical, exuberant, and vivid as the rivers themselves. Bob Madgic celebrates the life of rivers, the countless opportunities to enjoy them, and the tireless crusades to save them. This book belongs in the library of everyone who loves the out-of-doors." -- Betsy Reifsnider, Executive Director, Friends of the River.
"Bob Madgic is a born explorer, with a knack for finding untrammeled terrain and an obvious love for all things wild." -- Richard Anderson, Editor, California Fly Fisher magazine.
"Bob Madgic treats the reader to a banquet of sumptuous sights, sounds and reflections from years of chasing wilderness trout around California and the world. He does a wonderful job of distilling his adventures down into a series of values: ethical statements personally absorbed from years in the field. In doing so, Bob Madgic gets at the heart of our sport, and his words aren't 'barbless' either. They stick with you." -- Chip O'Brien, Author of River Journal: The Sacramento River.
"Bob Madgic's love of the wilderness and the trout that grow there comes through in every word of this book." -- Bill Sunderland, outdoor writer and author of California Blue Ribbon Trout Streams.
"Pursuing Wild Trout is a lesson about interconnectedness: spiritual, physical and ecological. Bob Madgic makes the connections that need to be made. And he holds up a mirror to us in the conversation world, reminding us to remember, strengthen and rely upon that interconnectedness in our own lives." -- John C. Sawhill, President and CEO, The Nature Conservancy.
"Pursuing Wild Trout is a true celebration of the wild trout and wild places that haunt our fishing dreams. Bob Madgic has shared a lifetime of angling passion, and has infused it with his own deep commitment to wilderness conservation. A conservation-minded angler cannot help but come away from this book with a renewed dedication to protecting the fragile habitat that wild trout and salmon depend on." -- Charles F. Gauvin, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited.
"Pursuing Wild Trout offers a textured look into he world of back roads, wilderness trails, and native trout as bright as jewels." -- Nick Lyons, author, publisher, Nick Lyons Books.
"Wild rivers and wild trout are inseparable. Pursuing Wild Trout chronicles a passion for exploring and protecting the wild rivers that are necessary both for trout and the quality of our own lives." -- Rebecca Wodder, President, American Rivers.
Author Bob Madgic chronicles his 25 years of fishing for wild trout in the canyon rivers of the central Sierra in California in his book titled, Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey in Wilderness Values.Madgic states, "the pursuit of wild trout has led me to the discovery that, in wilderness, one can find life's deepest meanings." The book has 10 chapters and is enhanced with black and white sketches and a 16-page insert of color photos.In chapter 10, "Preserving Wild Trout," the author outlines 17 ways one can preserve trout. One way is to become members of organizations dedicated to preserving wild trout (e.g., CalTrout, Trout Unlimited).Madgic offers the following eight wilderness values: All life forms are deemed purposeful and vital; the interdependence of species is recognized and protected; commitment is made to the preservation of wilderness; priority is given to natural processes; humankind's connections with the natural world are recognized and enhanced; a commitment is given to community; wilderness experiences enhance a sense of family; and a commitment is made to advance wilderness priorities. I felt that one weakness of the book is that the author did not define terms such as wild trout, federal Wilderness Act of 1964, selectivity, etc., until the eighth chapter of the book. Madgic should have defined these terms at the beginning of the book. -- From Independent Publisher
"Bob Madgic is a born explorer, with a knack for finding untrammeled terrain and an obvious love for all things wild." -- Richard Anderson, Editor, California Fly Fisher magazine.
"Bob Madgic treats the reader to a banquet of sumptuous sights, sounds and reflections from years of chasing wilderness trout around California and the world. He does a wonderful job of distilling his adventures down into a series of values: ethical statements personally absorbed from years in the field. In doing so, Bob Madgic gets at the heart of our sport, and his words aren't 'barbless' either. They stick with you." -- Chip O'Brien, Author of River Journal: The Sacramento River.
"Bob Madgic's love of the wilderness and the trout that grow there comes through in every word of this book." -- Bill Sunderland, outdoor writer and author of California Blue Ribbon Trout Streams.
"Pursuing Wild Trout is a lesson about interconnectedness: spiritual, physical and ecological. Bob Madgic makes the connections that need to be made. And he holds up a mirror to us in the conversation world, reminding us to remember, strengthen and rely upon that interconnectedness in our own lives." -- John C. Sawhill, President and CEO, The Nature Conservancy.
"Pursuing Wild Trout is a true celebration of the wild trout and wild places that haunt our fishing dreams. Bob Madgic has shared a lifetime of angling passion, and has infused it with his own deep commitment to wilderness conservation. A conservation-minded angler cannot help but come away from this book with a renewed dedication to protecting the fragile habitat that wild trout and salmon depend on." -- Charles F. Gauvin, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited.
"Pursuing Wild Trout offers a textured look into he world of back roads, wilderness trails, and native trout as bright as jewels." -- Nick Lyons, author, publisher, Nick Lyons Books.
"Wild rivers and wild trout are inseparable. Pursuing Wild Trout chronicles a passion for exploring and protecting the wild rivers that are necessary both for trout and the quality of our own lives." -- Rebecca Wodder, President, American Rivers.
Author Bob Madgic chronicles his 25 years of fishing for wild trout in the canyon rivers of the central Sierra in California in his book titled, Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey in Wilderness Values.Madgic states, "the pursuit of wild trout has led me to the discovery that, in wilderness, one can find life's deepest meanings." The book has 10 chapters and is enhanced with black and white sketches and a 16-page insert of color photos.In chapter 10, "Preserving Wild Trout," the author outlines 17 ways one can preserve trout. One way is to become members of organizations dedicated to preserving wild trout (e.g., CalTrout, Trout Unlimited).Madgic offers the following eight wilderness values: All life forms are deemed purposeful and vital; the interdependence of species is recognized and protected; commitment is made to the preservation of wilderness; priority is given to natural processes; humankind's connections with the natural world are recognized and enhanced; a commitment is given to community; wilderness experiences enhance a sense of family; and a commitment is made to advance wilderness priorities. I felt that one weakness of the book is that the author did not define terms such as wild trout, federal Wilderness Act of 1964, selectivity, etc., until the eighth chapter of the book. Madgic should have defined these terms at the beginning of the book. -- From Independent Publisher
From the Back Cover
"Bob Madgic tempts us with his personal reflections on fly fishing in the Sierras and in doing so, he leads us on an incredible exploration of the wild rivers of the region. He not only gives us lessons in natural history, but writes about special places from a highly developed environmental conscience. He is a strong advocate for wilderness values, recognizing that "in wilderness each creature has meaning," and that "the wildness of nature should be accepted on its own terms."-William Meadows, President, The Wilderness Society.
"Pursuing Wild Trout is a book I would be proud to have written."-Ralph Cutter, author of Sierra Trout Guide.
"Anyone who values wild trout should read this book."-Jim Edmondson, Executive Director, California Trout.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing wildernes stories and a message of utmost importance,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey in Wilderness Values (Paperback)
There is a message of utmost importance in this book that is told through amusing stories of adventure into the wilderness: Only if we carefully preserve the trouts extended habitat can we continue to pursue wild trout. Take one or maybe two fish and flavor them. Leave the rest behind and enjoy the wilderness where they are raised. Before you return home, make sure you leave everything around you like it was when you first got there!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must read" for modern Dads,
This review is from: Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey in Wilderness Values (Paperback)
This is not just a delightful read, I think it's a "must read" for Dads. Sure, their youngsters will enjoy reading it too, but this little book reminds one just how important it is to take your kid into the out of doors and share the experience. So many activities are now "managed" for our young people, but outdoor adventures like fly fishing with your father do more to foster independent thinking, the spirit of adventure, and, yes - I'll say it - "bond" with your kid than almost any other activity. Great book - buy it - it's worth every penny.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book review of a trout fishing book by a non fisherman.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pursuing Wild Trout: A Journey in Wilderness Values (Paperback)
I picked up Bob Madgic's book by chance on a friend's coffee table. I have no interest in trout fishing, some interest in the environment, and a great deal of interest in family values and inter-relationships. To my suprise I read the book from cover to cover being drawn in by the incidents revealing the challenges accepted by this family which were dealt with with good humor and love for each other. They seemed to leave their egos behind them as they experienced the wilderness and the people they met there. Incidently, I learned more about trout fishing and good fishing streams than I really wanted to know, and enjoyed the introduction to a sport of which I knew nothing. There are many reasons to read this book!
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