By John Searl
Angling artist John Searl's first book (as far as I'm aware) is as much a pleasure to hold as it is to read. Containing many fine paintings and illustrations by the man himself, this book should take pride of place on any angler's book shelves.
Tracing his years of fishing the rivers of southern England, in this book Searl shares his angling journey. Mostly centred around the Avon, there is also a small chapter on the time he spent living and working in Australia. Whilst these days John is best known for his work as an artist, he is also a very accomplished specimen angler with many Drennan Cup weekly awards to his credit for a variety of species. Within the pages of this book you'll find barbel well into double figures, 30lb+ pike, 20lb+ carp, chub to nearly 7lbs, brown trout to over 10lbs, roach and grayling to more than 3lbs plus many more magnificent captures.
Although this is definitely not a "how-to" type of book I imagine most readers will learn something from it. John's favourite method is clear water stalking and whilst recounting tales of days spent at the water's edge he can't help but give away a few hints and tips. Obviously, through many years of watching fish in clear water, he has learnt a great deal about their behaviour and reaction to various baits and methods. His observations on roach and barbel (these two species seem to get most of his attention) are particularly interesting and will certainly be in my mind next time I'm fishing for them.
As mentioned earlier, roach get a great deal of attention throughout the book. As most modern coarse angling books tend to concentrate on the popular species such as carp, barbel and pike, tales of roach fishing, with some fish approaching 4lbs or more, are very welcome indeed.
John Searl on hooking a roach that looked closed to 4lbs than 3...
Over the years whilst fishing the rivers and streams of southern England John has met and fished with many other well known anglers. In the book you'll find a few tales of days on the river with some familiar names such as Chris Ball, Dave Steuart, Chris Sandford, Ron Smith, Bob James, Chris Yates and more.
Unfortunately this book, limited to only 1000 numbered copies, the first 100 of which were bound in leather, is now out-of-print and second-hand copies are already becoming quite scarce and are increasing in value. Coch Y Bonddu Books is usually the place to start searching.
First published by The Art of Angling in 2007.
Click here to go back to the list of all reviews.
Tracing his years of fishing the rivers of southern England, in this book Searl shares his angling journey. Mostly centred around the Avon, there is also a small chapter on the time he spent living and working in Australia. Whilst these days John is best known for his work as an artist, he is also a very accomplished specimen angler with many Drennan Cup weekly awards to his credit for a variety of species. Within the pages of this book you'll find barbel well into double figures, 30lb+ pike, 20lb+ carp, chub to nearly 7lbs, brown trout to over 10lbs, roach and grayling to more than 3lbs plus many more magnificent captures.
Although this is definitely not a "how-to" type of book I imagine most readers will learn something from it. John's favourite method is clear water stalking and whilst recounting tales of days spent at the water's edge he can't help but give away a few hints and tips. Obviously, through many years of watching fish in clear water, he has learnt a great deal about their behaviour and reaction to various baits and methods. His observations on roach and barbel (these two species seem to get most of his attention) are particularly interesting and will certainly be in my mind next time I'm fishing for them.
As mentioned earlier, roach get a great deal of attention throughout the book. As most modern coarse angling books tend to concentrate on the popular species such as carp, barbel and pike, tales of roach fishing, with some fish approaching 4lbs or more, are very welcome indeed.
John Searl on hooking a roach that looked closed to 4lbs than 3...
"...to my horror I noticed the big resident pike appear from beneath the weed bed on the other side of the river, and set off purposefully across the current towards the struggling roach.....as I watched the pike get ever closer I realised it was a case of do or die and with my prize just ten feet from the net, the line straining to it's limit, the rod sprang up straight as the little hook shot over my shoulder..."
Over the years whilst fishing the rivers and streams of southern England John has met and fished with many other well known anglers. In the book you'll find a few tales of days on the river with some familiar names such as Chris Ball, Dave Steuart, Chris Sandford, Ron Smith, Bob James, Chris Yates and more.
Unfortunately this book, limited to only 1000 numbered copies, the first 100 of which were bound in leather, is now out-of-print and second-hand copies are already becoming quite scarce and are increasing in value. Coch Y Bonddu Books is usually the place to start searching.
First published by The Art of Angling in 2007.
Click here to go back to the list of all reviews.
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