The Complete Angler: A Connecticut Yankee Follows in the Footsteps of Walton

I enjoyed this book. I was one the people who had heard (quite a bit, actually) of Izaak Walton's "Angler", but had not read it. Prozek's work was the motivation for me to dive into the 17th century for a few hours and read the book. So, if for no other reason, I'm grateful to Prosek. There is a lot here to remind the reader that this is an effort made at the beginning of a literary career; some undisciplined gushing here; a bit of bragging there. But it's hard to deny that there was real effort involved. Prosek has worked on understanding both his subject and himself enough to win me over, even though I'm jealous that he (at least by his account) catches way more fish than I do.

Having read Prosek's other two books (and having thoroughly enjoyed them, and given copies as gifts), I really look forward to reading this one - long anticipated. This young man has unusual talents, and (at least as of a couple of years ago) possesses another rare quality today - humility and politeness.

James Prosek has crafted three books around trout fishing. I'm not a fisherwoman, I'm a birdwatcher, card carrying enviro-lobbyist with complex affinities for hunting and fishing. I bought his first book because he was supporting a cause I cared about and it was a pleasure to look at. Prozek's renderings of trout are jewel toned. Fascination will strip away all pretensions because it feeds so greedily. Hypersensitive, you seek all nourishment to supplement the core hunger. James Prozek in his youth celebrates his fascination for trout, and the art of troutfishing. I am now trying to learn how to watch fish. The Compleat Angler: A Connecticut Yankee Follows in the Footsteps of Walton finds Prozek searching further. He's looking for his place in space, senses heightened by his passion for troutfishing and the need to make his way in the world. His affinity with Izzak Walton is natural. Izzak Walton, in uncertain times (17th century England) used his fascination for fishing to make sense of his world. This book is savory with the manchild's gleanings of people and life in a familiar foreign land. It's a good thing he is in love with life, because he notices so many things: food, architecture, gardens, dairy maid, weather and people with a generous spirit. The book is fun to read because he is always 'there' - diffident and cocky, smart and rueful, testing and accepting. History and always fishing provide the backdrop to each vignette...encounters that inevitably lead to the next pool. The book's few faults have to do with the youth of the author, so they really can't be faults now. Prozek works hard and is productive. His watercolors are gorgeous. He is growing and I will watch for his future boooks as benchmarks. Spend some time with this young man; stray with him. Reaffirm that the nature around us is the foundation for the condition of all things human.