Trout Magic

by Robert Traver

Trout Magic is a warm, joyous look at trout fishing and its attendant tall tales, strange happenings, and all-around fishing lore by the author of Anatomy of a Murder and Trout Madness. John D. Voelker (aka, Robert Traver) recounts the story of a mysterious "dancing fly," speaks pointedly about "kiss-and-tell" fishermen, debunks fly fishermen as the "world's greatest snobs," lets us in on the fishing story Life missed, and takes us along on his strangest fishing trip. We meet the unforgettable Danny McGinnis, guide, and other choice characters and events from his anything-but ordinary fishing trips. Mr. Voelker reveals some new angles on women anglers, and does a fine piece of tongue-in-cheek literary sleuthing regarding Ernest Hemingway's famous story, "Big Two-Hearted River."

There's enough trout magic here to rub off on every reader - man, woman, or child - John D. Voelker weaves his inimitable storytelling spell. Trout Magic is a marvelous catch of wit, wisdom, and anecdote sure to delight everyone who enjoys a master storyteller, who has here written about his wonderful world of trout fishing.

Here are a few of the stories: "Sins My Father Taught Me," "Is There a Mermaid in Your Creel," "Size Is Not the Measure," "The Ways of Fishermen," "Morris the Rodmaker," and "The Dancing Fly." (71/4 X 101/4, 196 pages, illustrations)

Genres: Fiction, Nature

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Robert Traver is the pseudonym of John Donaldson Voelker who served as the Prosecuting Attorney of Marquette County, Michigan and later as the 74th Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. He wrote many books reflecting his two passions, the law and flyfishing, Troubleshooters, Danny and the Boys and Small Town D.A.

Reviews

[Emma]

I chose to read Trout Magic by Robert Traver because one of my good friends who is very into fishing and outdoor sports told me to read it. Personally, I am not the best fisher, but I still enjoyed reading this. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fishing or spending time out on the water, otherwise, it may not be in your taste. The imagery and setting of the book was one of my favorite parts. The way that it is written feels very personal. It is a collection of short stories put together, each one with its own lessons learned.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writer good trout stories.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this stuff!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Traver's Trout Magic is more or less a collection of digestible fly fishing stories he has published in various magazines. If you are a fly fisherman or are familiar with the UP of Michigan, you might like it. If not, you should probably take a pass.

The overall effect is mildly charming as you learn about the setting for most of the stories in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Traver himself is no slouch, apparently having quit a career as a judge in Michigan to fish and write. Nicely done.

The stories seem to have come from the 70's mostly and they now blend the timelessness of fishing truths with a time-capsule quality coming from the era. People write letters and the like and it feels quaint and nostalgic. A nice warm escapism.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid short stories on fishing in the UP.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as trout madness, but still pretty good.