These three books from Northwest publishers are each carefully aimed at a specific audience. The first should interest a fairly wide range of Oregonians and the focus tightens with each of the next two.

THE OREGON WATER HANDBOOK:

A Guide to Water and Water Management

By Rick Bastasch

Oregon State University Press

Paperback, 360 pages

We drink it, bathe in it, water lawns and crops with it, play in it and on it, generate power with it, catch fish in it, try to preserve fish in it and fight over it.

The rules governing water use in Oregon are a complex, turbid mixture, but Bastasch does a good job of sorting the issues into an understandable formula. Maps, tables and pictures are plentiful and helpful.

All Oregonians are impacted by water issues. Many, such as the thousands who depend on wells for their water, are impacted directly.

The numbers are impressive. Here’s a couple of examples: Oregonians use a billion gallons of groundwater each day. We use 18.5 gallons of water per person per day just to flush the toilet.

Agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the state Department of Water Resources administer the rules governing water use in the state. Dozens of other agencies have a stake and a say in water issues. Water rights, dams, habitat, quality, safety, case law and much more come into play when the issue is water and nowhere is the debate more important than in Eastern Oregon, with its critical groundwater areas, irrigation needs and fish habitat issues. This book should be a bestseller here.

ILLUSTRATED RIGGING FOR SALMON, STEELHEAD, TROUT

By Robert Campbell

Frank Amato Publications

Paperback, 144 pages

This book narrows its focus to dedicated anglers. The author tells us how to catch fish in all kinds of water with a wide array of gear. Judging from some of the many color photos, he’s been pretty successful himself.

Coastal waters and streams, the Columbia River, inland rivers and lakes, low water, high water — the array of conditions in Oregon is staggering. The variety of combinations of rigs to catch fish also is staggering. Campbell does a good job of organizing the information by species, location, water conditions and equipment. Salmon and steelhead rigs dominate, but just about every system is covered with clear diagrams, good fish stories and detailed information.

ROCK CLIMBING ANCHORS:

A Comprehensive Guide

By Craig Luebben

The Mountaineers Books

Paperback, 256 pages

When it comes to highly specialized outdoor activities such as rock climbing, The Mountaineers Books seems to be the go-to publisher. This time they’ve turned to master climber and guide Luebben to put together an exhaustive list of essential equipment information for rock climbers.

The hundreds of illustrations are nicely done and help give even the layman such as myself an insight into what it takes to minimize risk and maximize safety in the sport. For the climber, I suspect this guide could be essential gear when preparing for a climb. Luebben breaks down the many anchors by type and carefully explains the right and wrong ways to use them.

—

Bill Andrus is the East Oregonian’s book review editor. Contact him at bandrus@eastoregonian.com.