Salmon, Trout & Charr of The World, Rupert Watson
daverichey March 31st, 2008
TITLE: Salmon, Trout & Charr Of The World
AUTHOR: Rupert Watson
PUBLISHER: Swan Hill Press
DISTIRBUTOR: Stackpole Books
CONTACT:
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
WEBSITE: Stackpole Books
PHONE: (717) 796-0411
ISBN #: 1-8531—888-X (for bookstore ordering)
COST: $39.95+ postage; Hardcover w/ dust jacket and illustration with color photos & b/w drawings
This 312-page book should become the Bible for anglers who fish for these game fish around the world. These species, the author maintains, are mysterious fish spread across the northern hemisphere.
Let’s make this abundantly clear. This book is a major study that explains the origins, evolution, migratory instincts, diet, territories, breeding patterns, and management of these fish. The wider issues of the commercial fishing industry, over-fishing and conservation measures of these species are also covered.
Here in one book are in-depth chapters that focus on the Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, Arctic charr (the British spelling), brook charr (known in North America as brook trout even those they technically a char), and other salmonid species such as lake charr (lake trout) and cutthroat trout are covered.
Many of the color photos are spectacular. There are quality photos of limestone streams and other types of rivers, including some big brawling waters, and the maps show the current range of these game fish. Quite a bit of this coverage applies to fish found in the Great Lakes, which would make it of interest to Michigan anglers. The black-and-white illustrations are well done, and add a greater dimension to the text.
It’s been years since I fished for and caught cutthroat trout, but the illustrations of a Paiute and Lahontan cutthroat trout offer excellent detail that an angler should know when fishing these species.
Some relatively unknown salmon and trout species are included in this book. The Masu salmon is discussed, and trout species that are discussed in depth (besides those listed above) include bull charr, Arctic charr, white-spotted charr, Mexican golden trout, and the Gila/Apache trout.
Anyone who loves to fish for salmon and trout will find this book to be wonderfully informative. It is a great title, and deserves to be placed in a prominent spot on any angler’s bookshelves.
