Author: Zane Grey
Publisher: Hodder
& Stoughton - UK edition
(Harper & Brothers in USA)
Date 1919
Rating: ****
Zane Gray is undoubtedly one of the great writers on
fishing. Although the purist might find his american writing different from the
queens english, what matters is the story and how he coveys it. He earned his money writing westerns, but his
first love was fishing, particularly big game fishing.
This is a selection of tales brought together and they are
thoroughly entertaining ranging from epic battles with swordfish that last for
hours, or his early days trying to learn the art of bonefishing with little
success. They all draw you in as if you are with him. However, I did find his
chapter about the biology of the fish a bit long and distracting from the theme
of the book.
As you read through the chapters you can feel him becoming
environmentally aware as he returns small sailfish and marlin. He notes the
effect of overfishing for albacore and the kelp being cut having a detrimental
effect on the numbers and size of fish, and on the species that feed on them.
He applauds the use of light tackle as a way forward to make angling sporting
rather than the killing of fish, but also explains his dislike of ultra light tackle (and I wholeheartedly concur)
where the fish are merely chased by the boat and could die of exhaustion before
it is brought to the boat.
I am a fan of his work and if you want an insight into this
genre, then buy and read this book as a sample. I think it will draw you into
this world and lead you on to his other more focused works which are even more
absorbing.