Summary by Greg Tuttle
“About Brook Trout”, written by R.G. Allerton and published in 1869, was an early account of a trout fishing excursion in Maine by the Oquossoc Angling Association.
This book was a very early description of fishing in Northern Maine. It contains some very important historical information, and a glimpse in to what the fishing was like in northern Maine, when seven-pound brook trout were not uncommon. It is known by a few different titles – “About Brook Trout”, “Brook Trout Fishing”, or just “The Allerton Book”. It is a curious little book and a masterpiece of 19th century printing and book design.
The Oquossoc Angling Association members were a well heeled cadre of gentlemen from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvannia, Massachussetts and Maine. They frequented the Rangeley area and loved it so much that they formed an official association. Money was not an object with them. They erected a headquarters and named it “Camp Kennebago”. It was common knowledge that they had invested tens of thousands of dollars into their little “preserve”.
The highlight of this book is the wonderful color print entitled “The Angler’s Pride”. It is from a painting of an actual living Oquossoc trout. The printer used some method of embossing that makes the trout almost three dimensional. There is also a menu of a “Grand Trout Supper” put on by Mr. Allerton, the main course being two trout weighing a total of 15 pounds.
This is a great book for any collector. I have a copy of the original advertisement for the Allerton book. The price was $1.50, and one could buy just the print for $1.00. Original copies today go for all outdoors, especially if they have the seldom seen foldout print (a lot of them were removed). The book comes in red, blue and brown cloth. Some copies have just a page-sized print of a trout entitled “The American Brook Trout”.
This is a rare book with nice illustrations and is entertaining to read. There are some reprints available, but if you have the chance to buy an original one, do it. You won’t regret it.
Click here to read the book in electronic form for free.
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