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.)