On this episode of Arts & Letters, we talk with writer, fisherman, ecologist and University of Central Arkansas professor Mark Spitzer. His new book,Return of the Gar, published by the University of North Texas Press (as part of its Southwestern Writing Series) is a sequel of-sorts to his first bookSeason of The Gar: Adventures in Pursuit of America's Misunderstood Fish, published by the University of Arkansas Press—the first accessible book-length study of the gar in the English language.
The second largest freshwater fish in North America—the oft misunderstood alligator gar—is a fish that can grow up to twelve feet long and well over 300 pounds. Because of their scary-looking faces and man-eating size, they've been demonized as “devil-fish” and monsters.
We also speak with two gar researchers, Lindsey Lewis of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and biologist Reid Adams, also a professor at the University of Central Arkansas.
Listen to the program below and be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, where you can listen to past episodes.
Supplements
Lewis talks about the history of alligator gar in Arkansas.
Adams talks about what conditions are necessary for alligator gar to successfully spawn.Lindsey Lewis talks about the last time alligator gar were known to have successfully spawned in Arkansas.
Music for this program was provided by Sioux City Kid.
Listen to the song "Found" by Sioux City Kid.
Copyright 2015 KUAR