Mar 08, 2017

International angler shares experiences

River Monsters host Jeremy Wade to speak in Bozeman

Montana Living — A man who fishes around the world will speak in Bozeman later this month about the health of the world's river.

Jeremy Wade, host of “River Monsters” on Animal Planet, will discuss “How Healthy are the World’s Rivers?” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in Montana State University’s Strand Union Building.

Wade’s visit is part of the MSU Library Trout and Salmonid Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

Wade, who is a writer and TV personality with a special interest in rivers and freshwater fish, has been traveling to the world's remoter rivers for 35 years. His first overseas fishing trip was to India in 1982, followed by expeditions to the Mekong, Congo and Amazon rivers. The trips were partially funded by a career as a freelance writer. Wade’s 1994 book, “Somewhere Down the Crazy River,” which he co-authored with Paul Boote, is now considered to be a classic of angling literature. He has also written for The Times, The Guardian, Sunday Telegraph, The Field and BBC Wildlife magazine.

In 2002 Wade filmed “Jungle Hooks,” a five-part series set in the Amazon, for Discovery Europe, and in 2005 he followed up this series with “Jungle Hooks India.” “River Monsters,” which started in 2008, has now completed nine seasons.

Wade grew up in southeast England. He has an undergraduate degree in zoology and a postgraduate certificate in education, and he briefly worked as a biology teacher.

"I don't see myself as a particularly expert angler," Wade said. "My background is getting into the kinds of places where outsiders don't normally go, with enough energy left to put a line in the water."

Seating for the lecture is limited, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Guests may register online at http://calendar.msu.montana.edu/events/22270 or by calling (406) 994-6857.

Attendees should print their confirmation email and bring it to the lecture as a ticket. Event organizers ask that guests arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. to guarantee seating.

Each year, the MSU Trout and Salmonid Lecture Series hosts a world-renowned speaker and offers a free lecture to the MSU and Bozeman communities on the general subject of trout and salmonid studies. For information on the MSU Library’s Trout and Salmonid Collection, visit http://www.lib.montana.edu/trout/.