The Salmon: The Extraordinary Story of the King of Fish

by Michael Wigan

Overview

A fascinating journey into the extraordinary world of the king of fish: the salmon. This beautiful book explores the natural history of this most mysterious of fishes.

Michael Wigan explores the life cycle of the salmon, weaving his own experiences and stories of salmon fishing and spotting into an evocative narrative. Crucially, he addresses the pressing matter of conservation issues and human management, which in the past has led to fast decreasing populations. History suggests it is the pressure of human development which has narrowed down the survival zone of the salmon, and the author questions whether we can go on altering natural systems and freshwater rivers in order to make space for human populations, and do so in sync with fish needs.

In his unique and passionate voice, the author transports us to another world – his writing is beautifully evocative and his excitement for the salmon palpable throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780007552740
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	05/08/2014
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Michael Wigan is a father of five, journalist and writer, living with his wife in the north Scottish Highlands. One-time film critic, art critic and travel writer, he has reported and commented on countryside and field sports issues in assorted newspapers and magazines for 35 years, which has allowed him to cover his favourite interests: fly-fishing, deer stalking, oil paintings and literature. His previous books include The Last of the Hunter Gatherers: Fisheries Crisis at Sea (1998) and Grimersta: The Story of A Great Fishery (2000). He is presently the manager of the fishery board on Sutherland’s River Helmsdale.

Table of Contents

The Journey 1

The Culture 163

No Admission 105

The Passion 165

The Pressure 211

Extinction Vortex 227

Survive or be Damned 315

Further Reading 343

Acknowledgements 345

Index 351

Editorial Reviews

‘Mr Wigan is a skilled researcher and evocative writer’ Wall Street Journal

‘The Salmon is less a scholarly tome and more of a call to arms on behalf of the salmon.’ Chicago Tribune

‘If you think you have read it all before, let me assure you that you haven't. The Salmon is quite the best book I've read on the subject, skilfully told with wit and a wry turn of phrase […] This is a fishing book, scientific analysis, tragedy, love story, history and story of hope rolled into one.’ Classic Angling

‘Although there are occasional passages about the passionate experience of angling, this is no mere sport fisherman’s celebration – it is a forensic, and often caustic, analysis of the historical interaction between humans and 'the silver wanderer’ Country Life

‘It's an absolute must read for anyone even remotely interested in the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon’ Atlantic Salmon Journal

‘Extremely well-informed’ Literary Review

‘Michael Wigan gives us passionate advocacy on behalf of the wild Atlantic salmon. Above all he recognises the salmon as environmental indicator – “the hydrographer’s fish” – as well as cultural icon and economic driver.’ Tony Andrews, director of the Atlantic Salmon Trust

‘The life cycle of the salmon comes alive in Wigan’s passionate book … a highly readable account of the king of fish.’ Shooting Times

From the Publisher