It has been nearly ten years since the first
edition of Darkhouse Spearfishing Across North America was
published. The 1,000 copies of the first edition, printed in 1992,
were sold out by late 1996. They were sold to spearing enthusiasts,
book stores, libraries, bait shops, collectors, and others as far
away as Alaska, New England, and California. However, there was
still a strong demand for this book, since it is the only book in
print devoted entirely to darkhouse spearfishing.
Many parts of the first printing appeared
in Jackfish Journal and other local outdoor sports
newspapers. Fur-Fish-Game magazine published a summary in
1994 ("Darkhouse Spearfishing," Fur-Fish-Game 91(2):12-15)
and some photos were published in Outdoor Life magazine (January
1997). The Second Edition contains all the text that was in the
First Edition. Text has been added in several areas-36 additional
pages--especially in the chapters on Alaska and South Dakota, and
some additional photos are included.
The four parts of the
book contain 14 chapters. Part I provides the background with
chapters on introduction, history, and the controversy. Part II
provides an overall description with chapters on shelters,
equipment, and a day in the darkhouse. Part III covers spearing
activity in each of the seven states where it is practiced
Minnesota, Alaska, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota,
and Wisconsin. Part IV, precautions & predictions, discusses ice
fishing safety and provides some concluding comments. In his
foreword Philip Nusbaum, Minnesota State Arts Board folklorist,
writes "Jay Leitch has delivered the definitive treatment of
spearing, told in a way that is factual, yet also relates to the
depth of feeling the old-timers have for the sport."
There are nearly 100 photographs and over
30 drawings. Many of the facts and arguments in the book are backed
by the 75 references to other publications.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
The author, Jay
A. Leitch, grew up in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. He is a life
member of the Lakes Chapter of MD&AA and VFW. His real job is
dean of the College of Business Administration at North Dakota State
University. He has published widely as a professional in the areas
of water and wetlands policy, public finance, and economic
development. Since the first printing of this book in 1992, he has
written an article about spearing for a national outdoors magazine,
had spearing photos printed in another national outdoors magazine,
and had most of the book reproduced in bits and pieces in various
local and regional outdoors newsletters. Jay is a Vietnam veteran
and retired Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer. He lives with his
wife, Becky, and their twins, Forrest and Rachel, along the Red
River of the North, just north of Moorhead, Minnesota. (The northern
weighed 28 pounds.)
Michigan 