New Book Review

Just a few weeks ago, we received the first copies of the new book, Babine - A 50 Year Celebration of a World Renowned Steelhead and Trout River written by Pierce Clegg and Peter McMullan.

It's taken me a little while to get to reading it, mainly due to the fact I was on the Babine fishing, and the book certainly exceeds my expectations.

For those of who have been to this one of a kind place, the book expands on stories and history we've heard about during our visits, as well as reminds us once again of all the wonderful things the Babine offers us. Not a "grip and grin" focus, the book speaks to the long history of the river and Babine Norlakes Lodge.

Don't think this book is just for those who fish there. It will entertain and impress even those who don't chase Steelhead. But beware, after reading it you might be checking to see if you can sneak into one of the few open spots during the fall season.

Here's a short overview of the book from the Babine Norlakes Lodge website:

"This book brings to life more than 50 years in the history of the Babine River, one of the most famous of all British Columbia's highly regarded sports fishing destinations.

The idea for the book was sealed with a handshake on the bank of the river with the two men agreeing from the outset that the story of the Babine had to be something more that just another 'how to catch them, where to fish' manual. To achieve this goal they listened to and now present the voices and images of a large and distinguished cast of Babine fishermen.

Contributors include Joy (Madsen) Jenkins, widow of Ejnar Madsen, the pioneering lodge owner who left Denmark for Canada in 1952 when he was 26. The following year Ejnar was working for Mac Anderson, another pioneering visionary whose dream it was to see Norlakes, and its even now remote wilderness setting, recognized as an internationally famous destination for discerning rainbow trout and steelhead anglers. Within a matter of a few years Ejnar and his first partners had bought Norlakes and he had married Joy, then just out of high school. Together they raised their family of two sons and a daughter and welcomed their Babine guests until Ejnar s death in 1983. Three years later the Madsens decided to sell the property and Norlakes continued to build its reputation under new owners, the Cleggs. The ensuing quarter century has given Pierce Clegg a unique view of the fishery and of the entire Babine watershed, one that has led him to become a dedicated and often vocal champion of its fish and wildlife and indeed of its entire ecosystem."

Now in stock at Country Pleasures. Oh, and another thing, Pierce and Peter are donating all their royalties to the Babine Watershed Monitoring Trust