Trout: An Illustrated History [Hardcover]

James Prosek (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 14, 1996

Having developed a passion for fishing as a boy, James Prosek searched in vain for a book that catalogued the trout he had come to treasure. Then he began painting them himself, inspired by John James Audubon's classic bird portraits. This is the dazzlingly beautiful result, with more than seventy original watercolors by a true prodigy--only twenty years old and already considered "a fair bid to become the Audubon of the fishing world" (The New York Times).
     The trout of North America range from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and from the Arctic Circle to the Tropic of Cancer. No other book pictures all of the popular varieties, much less the rare, exotic, and in some cases extinct species, subspecies, and strains included in this comprehensive collection. Char; Apache, Gila, and Mexican trout; rainbow, redband, and golden trout; cutthroat trout; brown trout and Atlantic salmon--each of these, and many more, are captured in vivid watercolors, along with engaging, informative descriptions of their evolution and habitats.
     With youthful passion and stunning accuracy, James Prosek celebrates as never before the indelicble beauty and variety of the trout, and makes an eloquent plea for its preservation. An unprecedented reference, Trout is essential for the serious angler--and a glorious introduction for anyone who loves fishing and the outdoors.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Perhaps no one loves trout as much as James Prosek, who by age 20 journeyed thousands of miles and through 49 states to depict in watercolors all 70 subspecies of North American wild trout at least four times for this definitive volume on the subject. He details the diversity and brilliant range of colors in the species with his paintings, which are accompanied by written snippets, including angling anecdotes, historical sketches and personal reminiscences. At the devastating rate that trout are being lost to hybridization, displacement and extinction, we should be thankful that Prosek's obsession has led to this beautiful document of the species now, before it is too late.

Review

Who knows, if Prosek's passion for fish continues unabated, 100 years from now, anglers may be giving charitable donations to the Prosek Society, as bird watchers now do to the Audubon Society. -- Outdoor Life

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1 edition (April 14, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067944453X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679444534
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 0.8 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Fish & Sharks

More About the Author

James Prosek is a writer and artist whose books include Trout: An Illustrated History; Joe and Me: An Education in Fishing and Friendship; The Complete Angler: A Connecticut Yankee Follows in the Footsteps of Walton; and Fly-Fishing the 41st. He lives in Easton, Connecticut.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 61 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable, but the accuracy... February 7, 2001

By Steve

Format:Hardcover

After reading the reviews on this one I was just giddy with anticipation when it arrived. Any book on fish or fishing is a good one, and this one promised to be very good.

I don't read new books front to back - I browse at first, and flipped through "Trout", very impressed with the number of species and the marvellous illustrations. Then I went to Brook Trout - the fish of my youth, and still the one nearest and dearest my heart. Very good illustration and text.

I then went to the front and started through, and as fate would have it the Arctic Char was first up. That's when I started to worry. You see, I live in the Canadian Arctic, and have seen lots of Arctic Char - literally tens of thousands. I've studied them, fished them, eaten them, read about them, and learned about them. I am no "expert", but I know a few things.

Th fact of the matter is that from reading the text accompanying the illustration of the Arctic Charr, it is obvious that Prosek knows little of them. For example, he writes, "Eskimos cut a hole in a lake through ten feet of ice, fishing with a piece of seal meat on an ivory hook." Do tell. It gets better with, "In summer when the rivers run free, they catch them in nets made of Musk-ox or caribou sinew." Really. That stuff would have been half truths two centuries ago - today it is just plain wrong.

Those lines are tourist fiction reminiscent of the hogwash written by the early arctic explorers who, after a trip up north, could return home and write any mix of truth and fiction they wanted - because nobody knew any better.

That's my problem with the book. He knows little of Arctic Char, but proceeded anyway to write an inaccurate text - without the qualifier - "by the way I don't really know this, somebody told me and I didn't have time to check it out". Thinking what? Nobody would notice?

It's the other species in the book that worry me now - the odd, rare, and primarily western ones I have not had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with. Is that stuff accurate?

Still a great and very enjoyable book, and I recommend it to anyone who loves (okay, likes) trout. Enjoy the illustrations - just don't count on the information without checking it out.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A picture is worth a thousand or so words May 29, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Trout fishing is the most enjoyable thing I've ever experienced (yeah, even better than that!) Most of the books on trout lead you to believe that you have to achieve succeedingly higher levels of consciousness through concerted study of stream ecology, purchase of the most expensive equipment available, and years and years of practice and frustration in perfecting your casting skills. I've yet to see a book that simplifies the whole thing and tells you how you can wade into a stream in sneakers and shorts, armed with very little more than your rod, reel, and a few flies, and start catching fish right away.

No, Prosek's book doesn't do any of that, but it hints at the essential simplicity of trout fishing. The illustrations are riveting and serve well as reference plates. The commentary is blessedly sparse and gets to the point. It's a truly beautiful book and an obvious labor of love. Since so much literary claptrap surrounds fly fishing, I would have to compare most books on the subject to "Ulysses", while Prosek has produced a haiku that couples art and science. (I'm about to gag at my own literary allusion!)

If you want to get into the trout and fly obsession, buy this book for inspiration. Then, I guess I'll just have to write that book about cut-rate, simplified fly fishing as your next step!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The eye of the beholder. August 29, 2006

By Dennis C. Propson

Format:Hardcover

This book will be different things to different people.

I can't speak to the accuracy of the text as one critic has but I will say that I learned a few interesting things.

As a hobbiest illustrator and amature artist, I do appreciate the excellent work of the young trout enthusiast and author. I would not consider the comments of our friend the "scientific illustrator" who claims, "On my first attempts at color, i could easily do that kind of work." Well said. I eagerly await your comments on Picasso's "bicycle parts".

This book is not a masterpiece but a work of art. I don't believe it to profess to be the definitive word on trout, yet it offers some interesting tidbits.

Most of all this book resides in the place that borders two wonderful worlds; that of trout and that of art. For those who are intrigued by either world, this book will make a very welcomed addition to your library. For those of us captivated by both worlds, this book is an absolute must.