Chasing Rumor - by Cameron Chambers (Paperback)

About the Book

A blip of prosperity at the turn of the 20th century brought American trout to Patagonia, then for a half-century they were forgotten to fight wars and build a nation. Rediscovered by fishermen a half-century later, the fish had grown to epic proportions. In Chasing Rumor, Cameron Chambers chronicles his modern-day pilgrimage to the rivers of Patagonia in pursuit of these legendary 20-pound trout. What started as a trip focused on catching fish became a love affair with the Patagonian landscape, environment, and, mostly, the people. From a business mogul turned B&B owner to a kid determined to save a local trout population, Chasing Rumor is at times the story of a handful of fishermen, and at other times a tale of enormous trout.

Book Synopsis

A blip of prosperity at the turn of the 20th century brought American trout to Patagonia, then for a half-century they were forgotten to fight wars and build a nation. Rediscovered by fishermen a half-century later, the fish had grown to epic proportions. In Chasing Rumor, Cameron Chambers chronicles his modern-day pilgrimage to the rivers of Patagonia in pursuit of these legendary 20-pound trout. What started as a trip focused on catching fish became a love affair with the Patagonian landscape, environment, and, mostly, the people. From a business mogul turned B&B owner to a kid determined to save a local trout population, Chasing Rumor is at times the story of a handful of fishermen, and at other times a tale of enormous trout.

From the Back Cover

A Modern-Day Pilgrimage to the Land of the Mythical Twenty-Pound Trout

When the North American rivers turn icy and the grass turns brown, fly fishermen retreat to the fishing holes of their imaginations. In the great tradition of fishing literature, Chasing Rumor is the chronicle of one young angler's attempt to experience the fishing utopia he had created in his mind's eye. As with all rumors and imaginings, in some ways his journey fell short of expectations. In others, the highlight reel he'd created could not possibly prepare him for the adventures of this captivating and mysterious fisherman's mecca in a unique, pristine part of the world.

Cameron Chambers first experienced Patagonia while working as a fishing guide on Chile's Futaleaufu River. Cameron's articles have appeared in Fly Fisherman, American Angler, Traveling Angler, and other magazines. When he is not fishing in Patagonia, Cameron is a firefighter in Seattle. He has also served as a smokejumper for the U.S. Forest Service.

Review Quotes

"Chasing Rumor is different. It's a fly-fishing book the same way Moby Dick is a whaling tale." -- Chicago Sun Times

"[Cameron Chambers] fits in a line that includes Thomas McGuane, Robert K. Brown and Norman Maclean (A River Runs Through It.) . . . What sets Chambers apart as a contemplative fly-fishing writer is relative youth. It's one thing for aging men to contemplate navels and big questions of life. Quite another for a young man to do that." -- Chicago Sun Times

"FLY FISHING OFF THE BEATEN PATHS OF PATAGONIA (AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM) IS NOT FOR SISSIES BUT IT CAN BE A HELLUVA ENTERTAINING ADVENTURE. I KNOW - I'VE BEEN THERE. CAMERON CHAMBERS CAPTURES IT ALL - THE WILD RIVERS AND LAKES, SMALL AND GIANT FISH, LOCAL CHARACTERS AND NORTH AMERICAN FISH BUMS. CRACK A BEER AND GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE IN THIS ENTERTAINING BOOK." TOM BROKAW

"Cameron's journey enabled him to compress, in a relatively short time, an understanding of himself and why we love fly fishing; something most fly fishermen acquire only during their lifetime. The dream of many is to chase a very special fish. Cameron brought to life the mythical chase and the joys, tribulations and, finally, understanding of that pursuit." -- Lefty Kreh

About the Author

Cameron Chambers first experienced Patagonia while working as a fishing guide on Chile's Futaleaufu River. Then he decided to return to Patagonia with only one mission: to catch fish. Cameron's articles have appeared in Fly Fisherman, American Angler, Traveling Angler, and other magazines. When he is not fishing in Patagonia, Cameron is a firefighter in Seattle. He has also served as a smokejumper for the U.S. Forest Service.