Gear guide: ‘Field Guide to Oregon Rivers’ a winner

It’s called the “Field Guide to Oregon Rivers,” but this densely packed 320-page gem more aptly could be called a gotta-have-it for anyone who loves the outdoors.

It is Port Orford author Tim Palmer’s 22nd offering during a span of four decades of writing, exploring, photographing and researching the wilds of the western edge of America and beyond.

If you are expecting a Wikipedia-like collection of cut-and-paste entries, you’re in for a very pleasant surprise from Palmer, who writes with the eyes of both a conservationist and passionate outdoorsman.

His bona fides include being selected as the first Lifetime Achievement Award-winner from American Rivers and was selected as one of the 10 greatest river conservationists of modern times by Paddler magazine.

Palmer also goes on the speaking circuit and does presentations of his award-winning photos ranging from “Rivers of America” and “California Glaciers” to the Snake and Columbia rivers.

Along with the gorgeous photos, there also are insights into everything from hiking routesand whitewater paddling, including little-known access points, to the best times to fish for certain species.

The press release for “Field Guide to Oregon Rivers” from publisher Oregon State University Press call it an “unprecedented reference that profiles 120 waterways throughout the state, from the Alsea to the Williamson,” which is something of a buzz-kill, suggesting it’s more of a catalog than a travelogue.

Compare that A-to-W statement with the layout of Oregon Rivers, which is divided into sections such as River Portraits and Lifelines of Oregon with illustrated sections on natural history, 50 species of streamside plant and animal species from damselflies to sturgeon and “Problems, Protection, and Restoration,” all passion topics for Palmer.

The portraits are just that, pairing straight facts and figures about each of rivers to the author’s concerns about the health of the resources and the species that depend on them. There also is high praise for Palmer’s favorite places to fish, bike and hike along with a section about Oregon’s finest natural rivers.

One aspect of Oregon Rivers that I enjoy is that Palmer gives props to others who have written well about some of the waters, which shows his appreciation and acknowledgment of their efforts. The sources list in the back of the book runs two full pages.

After all, almost everyone who writes about a special place stands on the shoulders of giants, even other giants.

When you see the words “field guide” in the title of a book, you figure it’s something that is going in the pack, the glove box or the dry bag to be pulled out in the field.

Field Guide to Oregon Rivers is a work you will want to read cover to cover no matter where you are.

Field Guide to Oregon Rivers

The book: 320 pages with color photos, illustrations index, maps and extensive appendices.

Cost: $24.95 wear-resistant paperback

Availability: Bookstores, by calling the publisher, OSU Press or online at osupress.oregonstate.edu

Palmer online: timpalmer.org

Meet the author: Palmer will have a book-signing at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Grass Roots Books & Music, 227 SW 2nd St., Corvallis