"Engels's book documents the decline in the Adirondack fishing, but he leaves the analysis of that phenomenon to others. An anecdotalist of skill and charm, he is content to regale us with fishing stories—and possibly an occasional fish story, which is allowable in such books. The results is a book any angler will find irresistible."—Adirondack Life
"This book is about fishing in a very special part of the world at a time when a very special way of life was disappearing. . . . Engels's relaxed and intimate writing style is just right for his subject matter, and the old photographs nicely complement the text. . . . Sheer pleasure."—Smithsonian Magazine
"Through the eyes of a consummate story teller we are given a nostalgic glimpse of the Adirondack wilderness nearly half a century ago. Engels has skillfully captured the moods of forest stream and lake, and his penchant for meaningful detail brings life to such colorful characters as the inimitable Bige Smith, guide and companion to Henry Abbot, and the feisty hermit of Boiling Pond, Noah Rondeau. . . . A delightful work.'"—The American Fly Fisher
Description
Drawing on firsthand observation and regional knowledge, Vincent Engels documents the ecological richness of the Adirondack region during the interwar years, when remote lakes and streams still supported abundant native trout and a distinctive guide‑and‑camp tradition shaped local life.
Through clear, reflective prose, the book situates recreational fishing within broader environmental and social contexts—highlighting early conservation concerns, shifting land‑use patterns, and the gradual decline of a once‑thriving outdoor economy. Engels’ account serves as both a valuable primary source for Adirondack history and a measured elegy for a landscape and way of life that would soon be altered by modernization and environmental change.
About the Author
Vincent Engels was the editor and head of the publications at the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Related Interest
October 1994