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Chasing Rumor: A Season Fly Fishing in Patagonia
A blip of prosperity at the turn of the 20th century brought American trout to Patagonia, then for a half-century they were forgotten to fight wars and build a nation. Rediscovered by fishermen a half-century later, the fish had grown to epic proportions. In Chasing Rumor , Cameron Chambers chronicles his modern-day pilgrimage to the rivers of Patagonia in pursuit of these legendary 20-pound trout. What started as a trip focused on catching fish became a love affair with the Patagonian landscape, environment, and, mostly, the people. From a business mogul turned B&B owner to a kid determined to save a local trout population, Chasing Rumor is at times the story of a handful of fishermen, and at other times a tale of enormous trout.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2015
37 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 15, 2022
Read if you like non-inclusive language.
The artwork in this book is easy on the eyes. But the writing is not.
One of the few mentions of women is how, "hotter women (can be found) in Argentina".
It's all the same, men & fishermen talk. Nothing new. Chambers doesn't even try to make it inclusive. For a book published in 2015, this is shocking, but also not. It's just sad.
Better books have been written. Give it a try for the pretty art if that's your thing?
The artwork in this book is easy on the eyes. But the writing is not.
One of the few mentions of women is how, "hotter women (can be found) in Argentina".
It's all the same, men & fishermen talk. Nothing new. Chambers doesn't even try to make it inclusive. For a book published in 2015, this is shocking, but also not. It's just sad.
Better books have been written. Give it a try for the pretty art if that's your thing?
July 6, 2022
A gift for my dad, that I quietly read before I gift wrapped it. As a prospective Patagonia traveller, I loved the depictions of the landscape and the people, both windswept and a bit rugged but still welcoming and humble. Most of the fishing stuff went way over my head, but my dad was very excited that I had more of an insight into what happens when he goes on a little expedition up river. I do enjoy the prospect of travelling somewhere and spending months in the one country doing something that you love.
May 31, 2020
This book's primary audience is those people who fish flies that have also heard the stories of remarkable trout fishing found in Argentina and Chile. Chambers doesn't try to sell you on the romantic myth-he knows he's late to the party like the rest of us. Instead, he looks for his own experience within the myth, still hoping to catch that elusive 20 pounder in the process. Along the way he meets a variety of people, some famous locals within the culture of fishing in Patagonia, and others like him, looking for their own experience and seeing what happens along the way.
The book has a limited appeal since Chambers's whole reason for being there is fishing. There are some items of casual interest to those looking to travel who also enjoy reading about some local people that he gets to know. For people looking to read more about the fishing itself, there is limited information. This is not a how to fish Patagonia text. It's about one man's experience fishing in this area.
The book has a limited appeal since Chambers's whole reason for being there is fishing. There are some items of casual interest to those looking to travel who also enjoy reading about some local people that he gets to know. For people looking to read more about the fishing itself, there is limited information. This is not a how to fish Patagonia text. It's about one man's experience fishing in this area.
April 2, 2018
One of the best books that I have ever read.
March 2, 2020
Read this book about a year after I got back from a fighting trip to Patagonia. Brought back some incredible memories!
An easy read and well written!
An easy read and well written!
October 15, 2021
The storytelling in the book had me fascinated about future adventures in South America.
July 22, 2024
A well written and enjoyable read. Well done Mr. Chambers.
February 23, 2017
"What I find I was looking for is not a fish, a lake, or a river. It's the feeling of unhurried possibility, the idea that the world is out there waiting for me."
August 17, 2015
I'd been planning to buy this book but hadn't, then Cameron Chambers posted a photo on Instagram of it on the shelf at my local Barnes & Noble (where it hadn't been last I checked). I went in that day and bought it. I'm still miffed that Chambers didn't do any book-related events in Missoula, at least that I know of.
Anyway, it was an enjoyable read. Honest and insightful, Chambers doesn't paint a picture of Patagonia as any kind of troublefree utopia for fishing, traveling, or anything else. It's a rough country, and worlds away from what we expect in even our more remote parts of the USA. I appreciate that, and it also makes the idea of going there even more compelling. It also made me reflect more on my own relationship with chasing fish with a fly rod. I'm happy that for where I am in my evolution as an angler (a rank amateur, frankly), catching any fish at all is still a thrill, and I'm not disappointed when every fish isn't some giant hog. I'm also glad that I'm not part of the demographic that the fancier lodges and outfitters are aiming for, the guys with the huge bank accounts that can buy their way anywhere in the world and expect five-star accommodations. I recognize that those guys are important to our sport, but that whole side of the industry I find distasteful.
I don't know how much this has to do with Chambers's book, but they are thoughts I find myself mulling over having just finished it. It's a good read. The best of the book isn't even found with talk of fishing, it's the characters he meets. Those interactions with the people and culture of the vast area he travels are what makes the book interesting. Chambers is a good storyteller, and did a find job bringing visions of this land I one day hope to visit into my mind's eye.
Anyway, it was an enjoyable read. Honest and insightful, Chambers doesn't paint a picture of Patagonia as any kind of troublefree utopia for fishing, traveling, or anything else. It's a rough country, and worlds away from what we expect in even our more remote parts of the USA. I appreciate that, and it also makes the idea of going there even more compelling. It also made me reflect more on my own relationship with chasing fish with a fly rod. I'm happy that for where I am in my evolution as an angler (a rank amateur, frankly), catching any fish at all is still a thrill, and I'm not disappointed when every fish isn't some giant hog. I'm also glad that I'm not part of the demographic that the fancier lodges and outfitters are aiming for, the guys with the huge bank accounts that can buy their way anywhere in the world and expect five-star accommodations. I recognize that those guys are important to our sport, but that whole side of the industry I find distasteful.
I don't know how much this has to do with Chambers's book, but they are thoughts I find myself mulling over having just finished it. It's a good read. The best of the book isn't even found with talk of fishing, it's the characters he meets. Those interactions with the people and culture of the vast area he travels are what makes the book interesting. Chambers is a good storyteller, and did a find job bringing visions of this land I one day hope to visit into my mind's eye.
October 30, 2015
Chasing Rumor is a a book about chasing the rumor of 20 pound legendary trout in Patagonia. It is about one young fly fisherman's attempt to experience the fishing utopia only seen in dreams. Like all rumors his imaginings of the journey fell short in some ways. The highlight reel could not prepare him for the adventures he would face along the way.
I connected my book to my personal life because Fly Fishing is a big hobby of mine so when I hear that a river is being stalked or they are catching sea run brown trout i always want to know where what flies to use what the river conditions are etc.
I would give this book a 4/5 stars because it is directed more towards the outdoors enthusiast. If you are into fishing then i would highly recommend this book but anyone else may not enjoy it as much. This is overall a great book for a narrow group of people and even if you are not into fishing you should branch out and read this book.
I connected my book to my personal life because Fly Fishing is a big hobby of mine so when I hear that a river is being stalked or they are catching sea run brown trout i always want to know where what flies to use what the river conditions are etc.
I would give this book a 4/5 stars because it is directed more towards the outdoors enthusiast. If you are into fishing then i would highly recommend this book but anyone else may not enjoy it as much. This is overall a great book for a narrow group of people and even if you are not into fishing you should branch out and read this book.
June 2, 2016
Chasing Rumor
June 2, 2016
Chasing rumor was a good read that I enjoyed. The book was written by Cameron Chambers. This book was about chasing big 20 pound trout in the rivers of Patagonia. I enjoy fly fishing so I was immediately interested from the book's cover. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fishing and relaxing novels. The book is interesting and easily holds your attention.
June 2, 2016
Chasing rumor was a good read that I enjoyed. The book was written by Cameron Chambers. This book was about chasing big 20 pound trout in the rivers of Patagonia. I enjoy fly fishing so I was immediately interested from the book's cover. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fishing and relaxing novels. The book is interesting and easily holds your attention.
June 28, 2015
I am not a fly fisher, though my son is. I was captivated by the metaphor of the chase and the lessons learned along the way. The writing and descriptive passages are very well written. Great insights into Argentina as well. Thoroughly enjoyed reading.
January 21, 2017
Mixing three things I have an appetite for- Montana, fly fishing and Patagonia- this book had me hooked.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews