Columnist Paula DelGiudice: New book is a ‘must’ for anglers

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1999 | 9:43 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

The most complete and up-to-date compendium of angling information will hit the shelves next week. The book "Ken Schultz's Fishing Encyclopedia: Worldwide Angling Guide" delivers facts and insights from Schultz and a cadre of more than 100 of the world's top fishing experts. I was pleased to be asked to write the Nevada segment of the book.

The book isn't one you'd tuck in your tackle box or read yourself to sleep with, says Schultz, mainly due to its size (1,936 pages with 422 illustrations of fish, 470 photos and 718 line drawings, with 2000-plus entries from abeam to Zambia). However, it is the most modern, comprehensive publication on angling available.

This book should replace "McClane's Standard Fishing Encyclopedia" as the bible of fishing subjects for many decades to come. McClane's was published in 1965 and has been the standard for many years, although the Nevada segment wasn't accurate, even when it was written. For instance, it has Wild Horse located north out of Winnemucca, instead of Elko. Also, as you can imagine, the fisheries in Nevada have changed dramatically in 34 years. Gone is the heyday of the giant rainbow fishery at Willow Beach, for instance.

Not included in the old standard are current topics such as catch-and-release and whirling disease. Schultz's includes these and much more. The book includes reviews and behavior profiles of more than 500 species of fish. The text is organized in an easy-access format, according to identification, size, geographic distribution, habitat, life history, feeding habits and angling recommendations.

Schultz's spotlights sportfishing opportunities worldwide, including all U.S. states, territories and possessions, all Canadian provinces and territories and more than 100 countries on every continent, hemisphere and ocean. What water-hopping readers will appreciate most are the travel guidelines. These include information on hiring guides and charter boats, planning trips, clothing and gear needs, logistics and travel tips.

Conservation issues are approached in a thoughtful and pragmatic way. Included are the best methods for releasing fish unharmed, the latest developments in tag and release programs, fisheries management issues, threats to fisheries resources, endangered species and more.

This remarkable journal also delves into some of the weightier issues of sportsman ethics. Schultz approaches the ethics and etiquette of angling, including what separates the good guys (and gals) from the bad ones.

The book is published by IDG Books Worldwide and retails for $60. For information on the multimedia version of this book, available from Tricom Interactive, Inc., check their website at www.intellipedia.com. Autographed copies can be ordered through Schultz's website at www.kenschultz.com.

* DU BANQUET: The Las Vegas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited has scheduled its annual Sportsman's Extravaganza Dinner for Friday, Nov. 19 at the Rio hotel-casino. Cocktails will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is slated for 7. Tickets are $100 each; table sponsorship is available for $1,500 for a table of 10. The evening will feature a live auction, raffles and a silent auction.

For more information or to obtain a ticket order form, contact Michael B. Holloway by phone (255-8100) or e-mail him at m]holloway@pdg-lv.com. (Leave your fax number and an order form will be faxed.)

* TOUR LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club and the Leukemia Society of America invite enthusiasts to participate in Tour Las Vegas -- Ride of the Century on Sunday, Nov. 13.

The ride or tour (not a race) starts and finishes at the Las Vegas Hilton east tower parking lot, facing Joe W. Brown Boulevard on the east side of the hotel.

There are several options, including a 10-mile fun ride, a moderate 40-mile or 60-mile course and a challenging 100-mile Century ride.

For more information, call (775) 588-9658 or TGFT Productions at 1-800-565-2704.

* GROVES RUNS DRY: Groves Lake, a popular trout fishery in Lander County's scenic Kingston Canyon, is now dry due to repairs that are being made at the dam, according to Nevada Division of Wildlife spokesman Geoff Schneider.

An outlet structure is being fabricated and work should be completed in approximately six weeks. While the lake is dry, efforts are being made to install a liner that may stop some of the water leakage problems that have plagued the lake.

Rich Haskins, NDOW supervising fisheries biologist, said the agency plans to stock rainbow trout in the lake next spring.