The long-running PBS television series, Nature, is set to air a local writer, artist and conservationist’s documentary on the American eel this Wednesday, April 17 at 8:00 p.m. The Mystery of Eels, by Connecticut native, James Prosek takes a look at our often overshadowed and forgotten slimey friend. Prosek first set out to document the eel in his book, Eels: An Exploration, from New Zealand to the Saragasso, of the World’s Most Mysterious Fish. From the Catskills in New York to Maine, New Zealand and Japan, his journey took him around the world and back. This documentary is the television adaptation of his book. After the episode airs on televison, you will laos be bale to view it by visiting www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/.
His watercolors are included in Trout an Illustrated History of 70 North American Trout published when he was 19, World Trout a book of his paintings of 100 species of trout from around the world and now recently published Ocean Fishes. The new book shows of 35 species of ocean fishes he painted life size from a 14-inch porgy to a 12 ½-foot Blue Marlin. I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Prosek back in February when he appeared as the guest speaker for the monthly meeting of The Connecticut Surfcasters. On that night he discussed his work on Ocean Fishes.
James is not just an artist, he is an author of many books including, A Connecticut Yankee Follows the Footsteps of Izaak Walton which was made into a documentary for which he won a Peabody Award. Joe and Me and Fly Fishing the 41st Parallel from Connecticut to Mongolia telling of his fishing for trout across Europe and Asia.
In 2004 he co-founded World Trout with Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard to protect fish by raising money through sales of Patagonia T-Shirts with Prosek art design for organizations including Stripers Forever.
For more information about James Prosek, check out his website www.troutsite.com/.