What are you reading?

[Santiago]

The Secret Sharer, by Joseph Conrad. Oh, I do like a bit of Conrad now and again.

[Pallenpool]

Kevin Parr - Rivers Run - Superb read, entertaining, knowledgeable and yes fishing is mentioned here and there - if you have not read this book I urge you to do so - Kevin is an exceptional writer.

[AshbyCut]

Re-reading "Coarse Fishing" by J. H. R. Bazley and N. L. Weatherall. (5th. edition 1947. Pub. H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd.)

This is a revised edition of the original 1932 "The Art of Coarse Fishing. A practical treatise on the sport and choice of tackle and water" by J H R Bazley the year before he died.

It has a great recipe for 'cloud bait for roach' which I intend to try next season ... "Crushed bread 12oz : ground rice 4oz ; castor sugar 4oz : and malt 2oz (must be fresh and not smell musty). If tinned milk be drained into a large jug, thinned by the addition of boiling water, allowed to stand until cool and then sprinkled on and mixed with the dry feed, a cloud will be the result than which no angler on earth can desire better."

There's also a delightful telling of how Mr Cutting caught his then record 3lb. 10oz. roach from Hornsea Mere in 1917.

"Fishing with Mrs. Cutting, not a great distance from the jetties, and the good lady - who is also a capable angler - was catching perch after perch which "Wilfred" became tired of unhooking and returning. In order to get out of their way, he put on a long line, and almost immediately the float dipped. 'It seems I can't get out of their way !' he exclaimed as he struck. The captive turned out to be the then record roach, the only one which Mr. Cutting caught that afternoon."

[Catfish.017]

Fishing for beginners, by Maurice Wiggin. I got into MW last year and have greedily set about his books. At 25 years a fisherman, I’m not sure I can be called a beginner, though often find myself feeling that way. I like MW no nonsense ‘a spades a spade’ approach to writing. He’s never afraid to say he doesn’t like something and he’s rarely diplomatic about it. He also shares my views on fishing with worms.

MW is a first class writer.

Currently reading his memoirs. And his court case book.

Yes a complex and interesting character. I've posted before about his eventual 'giving up' of the sport. It was evident in his later writing, particularly " A Cottage Idyll" that he was down to just one or two outings a year, Boxing Day being a favourite. Yet the seeds of discontent could be found in his early writing too. In "The Passionate Angler" is a chapter where he describes his tactics for getting the hooked fish out as quickly and cleanly as possible, decrying the overplaying of fish for self gratification. Yet in the same book is one of the most elegant and erudite explorations of why we actually go fishing!

[Pallenpool]

Fishing for beginners, by Maurice Wiggin. I got into MW last year and have greedily set about his books. At 25 years a fisherman, I’m not sure I can be called a beginner, though often find myself feeling that way. I like MW no nonsense ‘a spades a spade’ approach to writing. He’s never afraid to say he doesn’t like something and he’s rarely diplomatic about it. He also shares my views on fishing with worms.

MW is a first class writer.

Currently reading his memoirs. And his court case book.

Yes a complex and interesting character. I've posted before about his eventual 'giving up' of the sport. It was evident in his later writing, particularly " A Cottage Idyll" that he was down to just one or two outings a year, Boxing Day being a favourite. Yet the seeds of discontent could be found in his early writing too. In "The Passionate Angler" is a chapter where he describes his tactics for getting the hooked fish out as quickly and cleanly as possible, decrying the overplaying of fish for self gratification. Yet in the same book is one of the most elegant and erudite explorations of why we actually go fishing!

I have always enjoyed reading M.W. for me he was so far ahead of anyone with regards the ethics involved in angling, as you say one can plot the course he took through his writing but it was always a tangible thought he may one day give it all up.

I as i’ve aged also battle with the very same conundrums - I hope the battle comes out in favour of carrying on, after all there is a lot more to fishing than catching fish.

[Catfish.017]

Fishing for beginners, by Maurice Wiggin. I got into MW last year and have greedily set about his books. At 25 years a fisherman, I’m not sure I can be called a beginner, though often find myself feeling that way. I like MW no nonsense ‘a spades a spade’ approach to writing. He’s never afraid to say he doesn’t like something and he’s rarely diplomatic about it. He also shares my views on fishing with worms.

MW is a first class writer.

Currently reading his memoirs. And his court case book.

Yes a complex and interesting character. I've posted before about his eventual 'giving up' of the sport. It was evident in his later writing, particularly " A Cottage Idyll" that he was down to just one or two outings a year, Boxing Day being a favourite. Yet the seeds of discontent could be found in his early writing too. In "The Passionate Angler" is a chapter where he describes his tactics for getting the hooked fish out as quickly and cleanly as possible, decrying the overplaying of fish for self gratification. Yet in the same book is one of the most elegant and erudite explorations of why we actually go fishing!

I have always enjoyed reading M.W. for me he was so far ahead of anyone with regards the ethics involved in angling, as you say one can plot the course he took through his writing but it was always a tangible thought he may one day give it all up.

I as i’ve aged also battle with the very same conundrums - I hope the battle comes out in favour of carrying on, after all there is a lot more to fishing than catching fish.

Wasn't there a Chinese chap who would sit with rod and line but no hook?

[Coral Maestro]

The Waterlog Years by Chris Yates



"Waterlog, the magazine for the absolute angler, began in 1996, and Chris Yates, as founding co-editor and contributer, published regular articles within its pages. This book brings together all his regular Waterlog articles from issues One to Fifty, along with a few other ramblings, and reflects his various enthusiasms, joys, memories and dreams over an eight-year period. Waterlog gave Chris the freedom to focus on, or play with, any watery subject he liked - from Nordic lakes, Redmire memories, Avon barbel and Irish travels to alternative realities and mathematical probabilities. Not to mention Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp in his tench swim..."

A series of short stories taken from the "Waterlog" magazine. Handy for dipping into when the mood takes you!

[Snape]

The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Chester Ruark. I shall mention no name but it was gifted to me by a Golden Scale member who reckons it is the best book he has read. I am now 1/3 through it and I agree it is excellent, but different.

He sent me a copy too, Bob. I have a few books to get through first then I will start it.

[Bob Brookes]

The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Chester Ruark. I shall mention no name but it was gifted to me by a Golden Scale member who reckons it is the best book he has read. I am now 1/3 through it and I agree it is excellent, but different.

He sent me a copy too, Bob. I have a few books to get through first then I will start it.

The last 2/3 went much too quickly, I really enjoyed it.

[Snape]

The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Chester Ruark. I shall mention no name but it was gifted to me by a Golden Scale member who reckons it is the best book he has read. I am now 1/3 through it and I agree it is excellent, but different.

He sent me a copy too, Bob. I have a few books to get through first then I will start it.

The last 2/3 went much too quickly, I really enjoyed it.

I'll shunt it up the list then.