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87th out of 174 books
—
160 voters
An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World
by
Anders Halverson (Goodreads Author)
Anders Halverson provides an exhaustively researched and grippingly rendered account of the rainbow trout and why it has become the most commonly stocked and controversial freshwater fish in the United States.Discovered in the remote waters of northern California, rainbow trout have been artificially propagated and distributed for more than 130 years by government official...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
March 2nd 2010
by Yale University Press
(first published 2010)
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A well-researched, interesting story about the century-long effort to stock U.S. waters with rainbow trout — and the recent policy reversal that now sees the fish being eradicated from some waters. I particularly enjoyed Anders's chapters about the nineteenth-century birth of U.S. fish stocking, and about recent research showing the subtle ways that non-native fish like rainbow trout impact native species. Communicating that research in a mainstream book is vital, and Anders does so in very read...more
Feb 25, 2010
Scott C
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anglers, those interested in science and history
Sometime within the past ten years or so I became interested in native fish. I have nothing against any species, I just like to see fish that are “supposed” to be in a watershed, in that watershed, not some other species occupying that water. This desire to find native species in their native range has taken my fishing buddy and me to some out-of-the-way little creeks—we’re talking about places in the middle of the desert 100 miles from the nearest town. Creeks whose widths are measured in inche...more
What an interesting book...details the pitfalls of stocking non-native species and the trickle-down effects that their proliferation can have, from aquatic invertebrates to genetic diversity and hybridization. Works in historical state and federal policy, some intriguing personalities, and even a little fishing. Written conversationally and compassionately, the writing style is nothing poetic but workmanlike, serviceable, and at the very least tells a good story. If I could give this book 3.5 st...more
Amazing book. Especially for someone like me who has spent much of his life in pursuit of various trout.
I was worried this book might be too scientific and full of jargon that the non-scientist might find hard to understand, but it was actually a very enjoyable and easily read book.
I learned so much from this book and I plan to talk about it amongst my fishing buddies when we are out on the Rogue or Deschutes some time.
I was worried this book might be too scientific and full of jargon that the non-scientist might find hard to understand, but it was actually a very enjoyable and easily read book.
I learned so much from this book and I plan to talk about it amongst my fishing buddies when we are out on the Rogue or Deschutes some time.
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The first few chapters of this book were a little dry (mostly history on hatcheries and the origin of the US Fish & Wildlife Dept.), but I hung in there and made it to the second half where Halverson talks about the sociological aspects of trout stocking. Pretty interesting--I had no idea hatcheries existed solely to stock waters for fishing. Sadly, probably the most interesting part of the book is the chapter explaining the intentional poisoning of waters to rid them of native species of fi...more
A fascinating work of environmental history, exploring the spread of hatchery rainbow trout as a lens though which to consider larger questions about human intervention in the natural world. Everyone who fishes for trout, and anyone who cares about environmental protection, should read this book.
A really interesting, and well-researched book about the perils of messing with Mother Nature (in this case, by introducing rainbow trout to bodies of water for the purpose of creating excellent fishing spots). This book is also quite well-written.
6 likes · like · see review
A good read for the dedicated fish geek or trout bum. Thoroughly researched, this book gives an indication of the impact of our desire to catch "wild fish".
An Entirely Synthetic Fish by Anders Halverson
Thoroughly enjoyable read on a subject about which I knew absolutely nothing. His style of writing is so easy and conversational that it's like having a favorite professor explaining the subject. Humorous at times and in earnest at others but always carefully researched and clearly explained. Good book....more
Thoroughly enjoyable read on a subject about which I knew absolutely nothing. His style of writing is so easy and conversational that it's like having a favorite professor explaining the subject. Humorous at times and in earnest at others but always carefully researched and clearly explained. Good book....more
It was the policy of this country until a few years ago to stock game fish and seek to limit of destroy native non-game fish. The author tell a horror story of poisoning and entire river system in order to stock game fish. He tell us that raibow trout have hybredized with native species and in some cases no native non-hybreds are left. This is a very good book and an eye opener.
Great book on the introduction of Rainbow trout into U.S. waterways. Not to mention how amazing it is to see how our shift in thinking over the last 100 years and the "bigger picture" of environmental awareness.
I'll never look at any trout the same way. It's not just for people who like fish -- it's a great book for anyone interested in nature and the history of our country.
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science and Natur...: August 2012 - An Entirely Synthetic Fish by Anders Halverson *Author Interaction* | 9 | 19 | Aug 27, 2012 04:04pm |
