Joe and Me: An Education in Fishing and Friendship – A Ranger Mentor's Story That Changed One Life Forever

by James Prosek

When James Prosek was just fifteen, a ranger named Joe Haines caught him fishing without a permit in a stream near Prosek's home in Connecticut. But instead of taking off with his fishing buddy, James put down his rod and surrendered. It was a move that would change his life forever. Expecting a small fine and a lecture, James instead received enough knowledge about fishing and the great outdoors to last a lifetime. The story of an unlikely friendship, Joe and Me is a book for those who remember the mentor in their life, the one who changed the way they look at the world.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Charles H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Writing is accessible to all audiences and a quicker read than Fly-Fishing the 41st

[Dennis Nord · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What a sweet book about two guys fishing. I don't even fish anymore and I thought this was so well written and while most guys wouldn't use sweet to describe anything about their days out fishing, I think it fits. The water colors and the binding make for a most attractive paper book. In these days of ebooks, this stands out as a reason to keep the physical product alive.”

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really nice book, great story, great lessons. All the more appealing because it takes place locally and the places are well known to southern CT readers.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because a former student (wrestler and avid fisherman...AVID fisherman) brought it to school and gave it to me because he claimed it to be the best book he's ever read...the only book he had read cover to cover until we read Fallen Angels in class. He's a guys guy...has hated reading most of his life...but he found this book to be engaging. And to me, reading is reading. I read literature because I love it...my grandfather read dimestore Westerns because he loved them. Reading is reading. Now I have read this and will recommend it to any boy in my class who is that outdoorsman...or any girl who is the same. It is easy to read and gets into details about fishing that are interesting to the casual reader and very interesting to those who are AVID fishing fans. It's also about relationships with mentors. It was worth the time to read, if for no other reason than to honor the gift of shared reading my student gave to me.

[Kathleen Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When James Prosek was just fifteen, a ranger named Joe Haines caught him fishing without a permit in a stream near Prosek's home in Connecticut. But instead of taking off with his fishing buddy, James put down his rod and surrendered. It was a move that would change his life forever. Expecting a small fine and a lecture, James instead received enough knowledge about fishing to change his life forever." This book was written in 1997 about an experience that happened many years before. This isn't a story that would be written in 2018 with the climate we have today with trusting of strangers. Those carefree days are gone, only to be told in tales like this!

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, read half the book.

This book is very sweet & nostalgic. Reminds me a lot of my dad, grandpa, and their friends teaching my younger self about fishing, hunting and wildlife. The book is just not for me. I enjoyed the beginning of the book & its lessons, but found myself speeding through the 2nd quarter.

This is not a problem with the author’s way of storytelling, I love his book on Eels & the way he tells that story. This is just not my preferred genre of book currently. I might come back to finish it at a later date.

[Jordan Bergs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of how friends can be made in the funniest of situations. I know one of the people in this book which made it even cooler to read :)

[Kate Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

The guy acted like fishing without a license would get him 20 to life. Total squid, didn’t even finish it, also his friend like wasn’t even nice to him?

[Bob P · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Ring ring)
Dad: Hello?
James: Heyyyyy, Dad! Just wanted you to know, I’m doing a bunch of Dad stuff with an old guy who’s not you. Be home late, ok? Bye!
Dad: 😭😭😭

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. Great story of a kid and a game warden/policeman who become friends that fish together.

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good airplane read. I learned a lot about fishing and hunting up North. No match for The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Roark.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nolan gushed over this book; "best book I ever read! My all time favorite book ever!!" (He has never gushed over a book!). And he was right, it's lovely! If you're a fisherman (or just love one), you'll be in love with these stories. Beautiful images and emotions created from uncomplicated, honest writing. Highly recommended for everyone to read!

[Dennis Dupuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given to me by my son as a "thank you" for being his mentor in the outdoors. The stories reminded us both of times spent together where words were easily subjugated by actions and the world around us. If you've ever had a mentor, one who affected your life by living a message rather than preaching about it, this book is for you.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy named James is caught poaching in the local revisor. The man who catches him becomes great friends with the boy. The man takes James on fishing trips with him and quickly becomes best of friends. They go fishing every weekend. He has a great fishing experience.

[Brian Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fishing nerd, so I loved how this book balanced great fishing stories with a wonderful spin on the surrogate father angle.

[Alissa Burford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my dad's book; I found it in his stash of old memoirs. Now it lives in my bookshelf.

[Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit simplistic and repetitive compared to later Prosek, but given he was still pretty much a teenager when he wrote this it is impressive work.

[Bart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of friendship, learning, and fishing.