The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Redfin Diaries: A Life in the Year of a Roach Enthusiast by Mark Everard.

After reading the thread started by Leigh link here I have just purchased a copy of Mark Everard's book Redfin Diaries.

The first 200 copies of the cloth bound edition were signed and numbered by the author, I have managed to get hold of number 76.

Mark , I would be really interested in your views on the book . I am still searching for one !

DWW wrote:Mark , I would be really interested in your views on the book . I am still searching for one !

You can purchase them at Coch-y-Bonddu Books for £25.00.

This is a brand new first edition copy, it is not one of the 200 numbered copies but it has been signed by the author.

http://www.anglebooks.com/redfin-diarie ... erard.html

Thanks for the link Mark. Have ordered mine.

I bought this and it's a jolly good read. I struggled with the first book on Roach <too dry> but this is good.

My only criticism - and its a small one - is that it isn't really a diary-based hook, its a collection of reflections on the author's roach catches. Aside from that, it is a fabulous read for the roach fisher; highly inspirational and helpfully packed with things he's learned along the way. What he doesn't know about roach is not worth knowing!

Very tempted by that as a 2018 'first footer'

I found the book that good I read it over two sessions.

Worth buying for the cover picture, but I agree, it's a very good read.

I think that the interesting thing about this book and also his Complete Book of the Roach is that here is a man of massive expertise and talent at catching 2lb plus roach. Nonetheless he does state in his book that you need some luck to catch 1,000 2lb roach. He was fishing the Hampshire Avon for some years at a purple patch time for roach, and then his work took him to Bath, where he fished the Bristol Avon for some more years, when it was rammed with big roach.

Everything changed for him however due to circumstances beyond his control - massive spate, cormorants, loss of favourite swims due to a housing development and so on. So luck plays a part and he recommends making the very best of the fishing that you have, when it is available, because it wont last forever. Nothing lasts forever!!

So on the Wye, I've caught 10 two pound plus perch in a session recently. Great - how did that happen? Am I a wonderful angler? No. The answer is that the fish were there. Next time we have a perch disease they wont be. Make the best of whatever you have!!