Customer Reviews

Trout Fishing the John Muir Trail

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is clear in this compact guidebook that Steve Beck appreciates the special beauty of the Sierra, that he is a skilled fly fisherman, and that he has some fascination with John Muir. Almost every page has a fine color photo, and often a Muir quote. The scenery is spectacular, but there is plenty of solidly researched information for both experienced fishermen and hikers planning a trip to this area. I bought the book in preparation for an August vacation and it is hard to choose where to go with a limited amount of time. This book provides enough information for many trips!

I'm delighted someone has finally offered some help finding fish in the high Sierra. I love backpacking and fishing - I can always find a trail, but not always the fish! This book provides detailed information on types of trout, their locations and populations in the many waters surrounding the Muir trail, as well as how to catch them in specific locations. Thanks Mr. Beck!

The John Muir Trail runs 210 miles through the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range and serves as a connection to numerous trout-fishing waters. The trail passes by forty sparkling trout-filled lakes, crosses another forty fish-inhabited creeks, and follows six of California's biggest, untamed freestone rivers. Steve Beck's Trout-Fishing The John Muir Trail is a complete guide to this magnificent wilderness route, , illustrated throughout with color photos, and includes detailed information on planning and preparing for a trip to the John Muir Trail, fishing along the trail, fishing tackle, hiking gear, hiking tips, the top twenty trout streams, fly recommendations, and a great deal more. Whether novice angler or experienced fly-fisher, Trout-Fishing The John Muir Trail will prove an invaluable, indispensable reference guide.

Steve Beck's first book Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide is a well done and very helpful sourcebook. I highly recommend it. I can't say the same for his second book, Trout Fishing the John Muir Trail. The coverage is uneven, good near Mammoth Crest, but superficial near Bear Creek, for example. (I.e., not a mention of one of the better Golden Trout lakes, Rose Lake, or Marie Lake, home to some large Brook, both only 1/2 mile from the trail near Selden Pass.) Overall, the impression is that the author made a single trip over parts of the JMT just to write the book.

But the principal reason for the low rating is that the book is inaccurate (i.e., reporting Golden Stones in Virginia Lake--Golden Stones are a stonefly that inhabits running water) and inexcusably advocates illegal camping habits. The author, for example, talks about building fires at the JM Pass stone hut, bemoans the lack of wood, and suggests bringing wood up there. He is oblivious to the fact that wood fires are illegal above 10,000 feet. Many years ago the Forest Service did supply wood, but no more. From other comments the inference is inescapable that many if not most of his camps violated the 100' from water rule as well.

Sorry, but you have to do basic "homework" to earn any praise. There are good scientific reasons for the Forest and Park Services' regulations for managing the wilderness, especially conservation of wood and woody debris in the high alpine ecosystem. The author should spend more time on the JMT to be more thorough and rewrite this book to clean up his mistakes.

A fellow that I had met in the locker room at my local gym tipped me off about the great fishing
and hiking along the John Muir trail. His stories really peaked my interest but I had no idea
where to begin researching the "wheres" and "how to"s.

Mr. Beck's book, Trout Fishing the John Muir Trail was just what I needed. I enjoyed his "down to
earth" approach and the many wise tips he shares regarding not only locations but equipment
(be sure to take a backup rod) clothing and essential flies. The book is an easy read at 96
pages but chock full of great info.

This book has been great in preparation for our JMT trip. It has helped us plan our days to ensure we get some quality fishing in. The book does an excellent job of describing the fishing. This allows you to appropriately plan and prepare for your trip.

We enjoyed reading this book and look forward to using the information inside on our trip next summer. Would have liked more specific information about thru- hiking/backpacking on this trail such as where you can resupply and how to be prepared for bears, etc, but the fishing info was worth the price of the book.

The John Muir Trail runs through 210 miles of spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range scenery. Trout-Fishing The John Muir Trail will enable the angler to plan and preparing for a trip to the John Muir Trail; fish along the trail; as well as assemble terrain appropriate fishing tackle and hiking gear. There are a wealth of hiking tips, a roster of 20 top trout streams; fly fishing recommendations, and more. If you are bound for the Sierra Nevadas and a trip along the John Muir Trail, begin by reading Steve Beck's Trout-Fishing The John Muir Trail!

Studying Steve Beck's new book is a must for anyone planning to fish in te High Sierra. Not only is his information invaluable,it is also interesting and highly readable. His descriptions are great and the pictures are beautiful.As a fly fisherman, I highly recommend this book.

I have not yet had the opportunity to explore the fishing on the Muir Trail, but I anticipate the experience after reading this book. The pictures, vivid descriptions and ample details are enough to drive any civilized man back into the wilderness! I have explored the Yosemite fishing spots described in this author's first book and found the descriptions to be right on the money. I highly recommend both books to all fly-fisherpeople, especially if you have the opportunity to fish these areas.