The Trout King. By C.E. Pickhardt. Bonneville Books. (www.cedarfort.com) $13.95 U.S.

On the back cover of the book, Lee Nelson, author, makes this comment about Mr. Pickhardt’s novel:

“I don’t think it’s an accident that major turning points in my life are marked with the reading of great fishing stories. First there was Old Man and the Sea, then A River Runs Through it, and now The Trout King.”

Not a bad endorsement, eh? Two of the greatest fishing books ever written - hell, two of the best books from any genre - mentioned in the same breath as The Trout King! Wow. Makes you want to grab Carl Pickhardt’s latest offering and devour it.

But wait, that choking sound you hear is the reviewer, gagging.

Sadly, Mr. Nelson’s comment turns out to be somewhat overblown. Or, as we like to say streamside: What bs!

Ranking The Trout King with Old Man and the Sea and A River Runs Through It, is a bit like saying www.ariverneversleeps.com is right up there with Gone With The Wind and Lawrence of Arabia . Hey, we’re a fishing webzine for goodness sakes, not a work of art!

And let’s agree on this: The Trout King is an interesting book - but it’s no masterpiece. It’s not even a great book. It’s Ok. It’s not badly written, although its plot is a little thin and its characters aren’t all that interesting. If it was billed as light entertainment, we’d probably be nodding in agreement right now.

But, please, don’t mistake this book for great literature. It’s not even great fishing literature.

Carl Pickhardt is a family counselor who lives in Texas, and who learned to fish as a child, but who apparently pretty much gave up the sport to pursue his other hobby: writing. This is his 10th book.

Set in the community of Bishop’s Place, the story revolves around the rivalry of two fishermen who compete for the glory of being billed Trout King. That requires catching, and of course killing, the biggest trout in the river.

Alexander McGregor, a thoroughly dislikable fishermen, has won the title for eight years. It’s how he defines his manhood. He’s challenged by Sam Henry, an out-of-towner who wants to teach the locals a lesson and who apparently doesn’t care whose ego he shatters in the process. Go figure.

At the heart of the battle is a great trout discovered by Sam Henry’s son, who, early in the book, is set upon by Alexander McGregor’s thuggish sons. So there’s conflict and rivalry and a river ......but it’s not anything like A River Runs Through It.

Mr. Pickhardt is not a bad observer of the human condition. And he puts together an enjoyable read. . . well, it beats watching t.v. anyway.

Just don’t expect to find greatness or enlightenment in these pages. It’s just not there.

-Mark Hume