Peter Kaminsky is a journalist who has written extensively for outdoor publications as well at the New York Times. Pick up IDG Books' Fishing for Dummies and Flyfishing for Dummies and you'll see his name on those as well.
Kaminsky has a true passion for fishing. He often leaves his Brooklyn home and heads to Montauk Point at the very tip of Long Island for a quick angling fix.
While on a short fishing trip in September of 2000, Kaminsky saw a beautiful sight. As night fell, an acre of striped bass rose to the water's surface (hence this book's title). To you and me, it would be an unforgettable memory. To an angler, it's Heaven on Earth.
That single moment in time led Kaminsky to take a month off from city life to fish at Montauk every day in October. He details his experiences of that special time in The Moon Pulled Up an Acre of Bass.
Autumn marks the great migration of birds and fish past Montauk down toward warmer water. To read the author's description, it must be an amazing site.
Kaminsky begins his book with an introduction to the setting and locals of the area. Many of his fishing buddies are guides for hire. With summer gone, there is a different way of life among the permanent residents on the Long Island coast.
Hobbyists are passionate about their crafts and those who fish are no different. You must realize this to understand Kaminsky's words. While a month's worth of fishing is not my idea of a good time, I can respect the author's enthusiasm. Books make me giddy. Bass make him giddy. Different interests, same deep-rooted passion.
When reading The Moon Pulled Up an Acre of Bass, one need not know much about flyfishing, but it helps. Kaminsky is kind enough to explain the basic requirements and the art of casting. Some names are confusing but novices should be able to get the big picture.
The author refers to any great migration as a large orchestra, where each instrument must be in tune for the music to flow. Such is the case with nature. The act of fishing itself seems like a ballet. The production includes maneuvering boats in tune with accurate casting. All that's missing is the music.
Kaminsky's book is divided into chapters that follow each day in October. A typical entry includes weather, sea conditions, crowd conditions and which fish are present. The author goes into great detail, making it easy for readers to get a mental picture of the scenes. Again, it was easy to appreciate Kaminsky's enthusiasm because I feel the same way about my own hobbies. While I couldn't feel the love he was feeling for his fishing stories, I was entertained by his tales.
Kaminsky is well-known for his extensive writing on outdoor subjects. However, he also had a food background as well, and shares it in this book. After detailing the day's events, the author describes how he prepares his fresh catch for dinner. I don't even like fish, but reading the different ways Kaminsky prepares it is a major highlight of the book.
Also included in this work is a brief history of particular stories that are of local interest. Part legend, part tragedy, part truth, the events help form the complete picture of the flyfishing experience.
I picked up The Moon Pulled Up an Acre of Bass because I thought it was about a man leaving behind the hectic pace of everyday life. I thought I would read about self-discovery and the real priorities in life.
Oh I got the message, but it was in a different language than I expected. To the unappreciative eye, The Moon Pulled Up an Acre of Bass might look like a book of similar angler stories. In reality, it is a work that celebrates the passion for nature's beauty and the ability to explore one's interests.
You don't have to enjoy fishing to appreciate this book. Kaminsky has a hobby that fulfills his life and makes it more satisfying. He wrote this book to share that passion with others of the same interests.
Naturally, lovers of the great outdoors will love The Moon Pulled Up an Acre of Bass. Those bitten by the fishing bug will see Kaminsky's stories as a symphony for the senses.
Readers who prefer to catch their fish at the market can also benefit from this book. There is nothing more satisfying than pursuing your dreams and making the most out of life. Seeing Peter Kaminsky fulfill his wishes while sharing them with readers makes The Moon Pulled Up an Acre of Bass a satisfying sports-oriented read.
