Review – Freshwater Game Fish of North America
Peter Thompson’s New Illustrated Guide from Fly Rod & Reel Books
Oct 1, 2009
Freshwater Game Fish of North America, by Peter Thompson (Fly Rod & Reel Books, 2009) is a treasury of stunning art and a wealth of information. Even those with little interest in fishing will find Thompson’s illustrations, delicately rendered in great detail, a pleasure to view. Anglers will find the write-ups that accompany each species to be as fascinating as the beautiful depictions.
Trout, Salmon, and More Beautifully Illustrated Fish
Each of the more than eighty fish described is accompanied by an illustration so vividly realistic that it seems ready to swim off the page. Every detail of form and coloration is captured, right down to the gleam in the fish’s eye. One of the most beautiful is the brown trout, which is featured on the book’s cover. Thompson has faithfully reproduced this lovely fish, with its tawny scales and black-and-scarlet spots. Any angler who has brought a brown trout to the net will appreciate the artist’s rendering of the sought-after brownie. From bright red, humpbacked, spawning salmon to humble shad, Thompson’s illustrations do not fail to present the beauty of each fish.
Striped Bass and Largemouth Bass Belong to Different Families
Thompson has chosen to organize his guide by family, in order that the reader may observe and remember which fish are most closely related to one another. This distinction is especially helpful when it comes to the many species of bass. The White Bass, Yellow Bass, and Striped Bass are members of the Percichthyidae Family, while Rock Bass, Redeye Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Guadalupe Bass, and Largemouth Bass are members of the Centrarchidae Family, along with Bluegill and Crappie.
Since individuals in any species vary in coloration and presentation, Thompson includes detailed information about distinguishing field marks for each fish, such as size and angle of the mouth, number of spines in the dorsal fin, and any differentiating characteristics such as skin flaps or whiskers. A map depicting the fish’s range accompanies each description. Armed with this guide, an angler will be able to identify any North American fish with confidence.
Information for Anglers and Environmentalists
The guide includes information about the diet of each fish, its significance to humans, how and where it is commonly sought by anglers, and its current status. Thompson reveals the status of each fish in a manner that demonstrates his concern for these beautiful and mysterious creatures that share the watery earth with humans. He is not content just to illustrate and categorize them. With this book, he endeavors to raise awareness of the fragile balance of life on the planet and the role fish play in that balance. In the introduction, he writes:
“To a great extent I have produced this book to serve as a reminder to those interested in fish, especially game fish, that there is much about which we should be concerned.”
Thompson points out that sportsmen and women are on the “front lines” of those who observe and interact with wildlife. He stresses that anglers must take personal responsibility for the well-being of the American game fish they love. “These are definitely not the ‘good old days’ of anything goes and 50-fish bag limits,” he cautions.
Freshwater Game Fish of North America is a beautiful and serious work, one that should be on the bookshelf of every angler who loves fish and the wild places where rainbow trout, salmon, bass, and all the other game fish are found. Understanding these fish, in their wide array of form and habit, and attending to their present needs will increase the chances that they will be around to delight anglers in the future.
 |
