Like the Ray Troll illustration in the book's opening pages suggests, Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf tends towards reverence when it comes to one of the Far North's signature fish. The author openly admits to fanaticism in the Foreword, and then spends some 180 pages backing up the claim.

Regular readers of Fish Alaska magazine will recognize Pudge's name, of course, and probably have little trouble tying that name to grayling, as she's written considerably in these pages about the species, its habits and haunts, over the past ten years. Now all that wisdom, all that passion and purpose, have been put together in book form, and the result is stunning - whether the Arctic grayling tops your list of Alaska's gamefish or not.

Fly-Fishing for Alaska's Arctic Grayling: Sailfish of the North takes off with a solid discussion on the biology of our sail-finned targets, including a must-read section on the species' life cycle, spawning behavior and its preferred habitat and feeding habits. Anglers would do well to pay close attention here, as only the choice of location will assist more in a fish-catching foray. Part II includes the author's extensive research, all of which has been done on-site across the grayling fisheries of this state, into the best tactics and techniques for targeting the fish. Like her writing for Fish Alaska, the information is presented in a concise, easy-to-digest manner that will be helpful to both beginner and expert.

For the traveling angler, however, it's the next 70-odd pages that will be a sure highlight, as Pudge takes us across Alaska in search of her favorite fish. Included are destination particulars for such noted hotspots as Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula, two areas typically associated with more glamorous species of salmon and trout; but there's also a good guide to tracking grayling in Alaska's Northwest, in the Interior and on the Southcentral road system, any of which offer good to great fishing, as well as the chance for a extremely unique - read, 'Alaskan' - experience.

Finally, it must be said that this book is gorgeously illustrated by the photography of Michael DeYoung. From Alaska scenics to wildlife to up-close-and-personal images of the fish and the fishing, DeYoung's perspective provides an invaluable visual guide to the state and its grayling. Mixed with the solid information provided by Pudge, plus her natural enthusiasm for the fish - not to mention the fish themselves - we have a winning combination.