The Imperiled Cutthroat - by Greg French (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Yellowstone, the world's first national park and one of America's truly great trout fisheries, has been a crucible for ideas on how to look after wild places. Renowned Australian fishing writer Greg French gives a sparkling firsthand account of how the park's history, landscapes, wildlife, and people have touched anglers worldwide -- and why this matters.

The Imperiled Cutthroat is a travelogue that covers the story of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout: its discovery, biology, decimation, modern-day allure, and uncertain future. Although set against the dramatic backdrop of Yellowstone, comparisons to Australia, New Zealand, and Europe are inevitable. It is a cautionary tale too, ending up in Mongolia, which is as pristine as Montana once was.

The Yellowstone fishery is at a crossroads, and debate about what to do is dangerously narrow. Anglers everywhere need to be constantly reminded that hatcheries are far from a panacea for ailing fisheries: fostering conservation of the natural environmental delivers far better outcomes at a fraction of the cost.

The power of Greg's stories comes not just from the quality of the writing but also from the quirks and passions of the people he meets. Greg's compelling storytelling enthralls anglers and naturalists the world over.

From the Back Cover

"In this beautifully written memoir, Greg French fulfills an angler's dream and realizes his role in the protection of the fish he loves." -- Craig Mathews, cofounder of 1% for the Planet and owner or Blue Ribbon Flies

Yellowstone, the world's first national park and one of America's truly great trout fisheries, has been a crucible for ideas on how to look after wild places. Management practices that have worked there -- and a good many that have not -- have been transported around the globe.

Renowned Australian fishing writer Greg French gives a firsthand account of how the park's history, landscapes, wildlife, and people have entwined themselves in the psyche of anglers worldwide. More importantly, he tell us why this matters.

As always, the owner of Greg's stories comes not only from the quality of the writing, but also from the quirks and passions of the people he meets. The Imperiled Cutthroat is compelling storytelling -- deeply intelligent and philosophical -- that will enthrall anglers and naturalists the world over.

Review Quotes

"Through a combination of humor, and enviable working knowledge of local and natural history, along with powers of observation honed in a lifetime of trout fishing, French conducts a casual but keen investigation into the sordid history of trout in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem." Fly Fishman Magazine

"In this beautifully written memoir, Greg French fulfills an angler's dream and realizes his role in the protection of the fish he loves." -- Craig Mathews, cofounder of 1% for the Planet and owner or Blue Ribbon Flies

Australian writer and legendary fisherman Greg French lays it all out for us in his new book The Imperiled Cutthroat (Patagonia, $25), where he spins an enchanting narrative of a trip to the U.S. and his first exploration of Yellowstone. Led by his captivation with cutthroat, his tale takes the reader on a beautiful trip chasing trout (and running into bears) in some of the last wild waters of Tasmania, Mongolia, and Montana. His writing seems effortless and balanced, often philosophical, with just enough humor to offset heavier themes of conservation and history. --Outside Bozeman Magazine

"...an interesting read for anyone who is interested in conservational work and the protection of our beloved trout." fin-chasers.com

[French] likes a good yarn, and his Yellowstone adventure is full of colourful details. There are close encounters with grizzly bears, lightning strikes and oddball Americans, as well as page after page devoted to hymning one of the world's most dramatic landscapes. And, of course, there's also a load of information about the cutthroat, its biology and connection to Yellowstone, as well as handy descriptions of fishing conditions at sites all across the park and surrounding areas. French is never more engaging than when his eyes are on the water and the fish are rising. -- The Australian-- "The Australian"

A work of real substance, this is a deep and thoughtful multi-day read.-- "FlyLIfe Magazine"

What is obvious, as French considers this and other Yellowstone dilemmas, is how sincerely the author hopes his outlier perspective might save Yellowstone fisheries from sins he has seen or at least prompt us to test assumptions.-- "Fly Rod & Reel"

Finalist, 2016 Foreword Indies Awards, Ecology & Environment Finalist, 2016 Foreword Indies Awards, Sports

About the Author

Greg French is one of Australia s best-known fishing authors. He spends most of his time in Australia and New Zealand, but he has fished extensively in South America, North America, the British Isles, Iceland, Eastern Europe, and Mongolia. French has spent most of his life in nature-based employment: first as a wilderness guide, followed by stints as a park ranger in Tasmania s Wild Rivers National Park and a hatchery officer at the historic Salmon Ponds.
He s written numerous books, including a comprehensive guide, "Trout Waters of Tasmania," originally published in 1984 and last updated in 2011; Frog Call (New Holland, 2002) a work of literary nonfiction; and its companion, Artificial (New Holland, 2008). "Menagerie of False Truths" was published by Exisle in 2010. French also cowrote with Nick Reygaert the acclaimed documentary Hatch. In 2013, Reygaert and French produced a companion DVD, "Predator," which won the Best DVD award at the 2013 IFTD tackle show in Las Vegas. He lives in Molesworth, Australia.
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