The Living Rivers of British Columbia

Anthony G. Gulig teaches history at the University of Saskatchewan.

This fishing guide to many of British Columbia’s most faithful rivers
is not just about fishing and fishing success. It is also about each
river’s personality and unique characteristics. By providing some
historical background on each of the rivers he discusses, Davies helps
the reader, and angler, understand how places and experiences can give
us a more complete understanding of our natural environment.

Although the book contains several interesting photographs and an
introductory map, it lacks detailed maps of the individual rivers
discussed. This omission is unfortunate. Maps relate so much more than
merely where to fish or launch a boat; they also reveal the nuances of
the rivers, which are otherwise an integral part of this book. The
reader should also be warned to pay special attention to closed seasons,
lure restrictions, and bag limits. While Davies includes a brief “fish
and lure guide” for each river, such information may date quickly as
regulations affecting the more fragile fisheries change. Nonetheless,
this book is still a valuable contribution and should enjoy a readership
that extends well beyond the ranks of avid anglers.