Trails of an Alaska Trapper

by Raymond H. Tremblay, Drawings (Illustrator)

Book by Tremblay, Ray

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: Ray Tremblay was a family friend of my parents' generation. I met him as a child when we lived and trapped in the Lake Minchumina area of interior Alaska during the 1950s. I knew many of the people who are in this memoir.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover Tremblay writes in clear, personable prose. He has a gift for weaving detailed, how-to description with gripping, often humorous, anecdote about trapping fur-bearing animals and the trapper's life, a bygone time when people depended on dog teams and people wore fur. It has been a satisfying visit with my past.

I was again surprised, this time to learn a couple of stories that involved my parents: the exploding sourdough starter, and the time Tremblay fell through thin ice on the lake with his dog team while hunting caribou with my dad. It has been a terrific confirmation for the writing I have completed about this beautiful place where I have my first memories.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this book in a less used book shelf. Once I started, I had trouble putting it down. The book is in new condition except for a note in the beginning indicating that this copy was given as a Christmas gift 37 years ago. Great stories of the harsh Alaskan winters.

[Michael Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books about the outdoors and this is one of the better ones I've read in a long time!

[Lisa Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

After WWII, Ray Tremblay buys a trap line and lives on remote Lake Minchumina. At first he doesn't know a lot about wilderness living but he learns quickly and thrives. He uses a team of sled dogs to visit his traps, and meets up with other trappers for holidays and visits. He talks about blizzards, snow and spring breakup of course, but also goes into detail about the years's worth of food he packed in, the sourdough every real Alaskan uses, recipes, and cooking in dutch ovens over a campfire. He talks about hunting trips, a mad mama moose chasing him up a tree, fishing and setting up camp, and introduces the reader to some of the more colorful characters he met. He pokes fun at himself over his mistakes, and you'll feel you're there with him as you read his realistic descriptions. Some might be put off by the stories of trapping and harvesting skins, but if you are a fan of the old days in Alaska you will love this book.

This is the first book the author wrote, followed by "Trails of an Alaska Game Warden" and "On Patrol: True Adventures of An Alaska Game Warden". Mr. Tremblay has passed away now, according to information I found on the Internet, but his memories of Alaska will live on in his books.