Coarse Fishing: A Guide To Successful Angling

Various authors

introduction by Tom Pickering

This was one of the first books I bought about fishing. I say bought, what I actually mean is nicked off my brother. I read it so much when I was younger I practically knew if off by heart.

It may be a book for beginners but there are some top names in the line-up of authors - John Bailey, Chris Ball, Neville Fickling, Jim Gibbinson, Dave Harrell, Martin Hooper, Bob James, Peter Mohan, Andy Orme, Barrie Rickards and John Watson to name but a few.

It is divided into four main chapters - Techniques and tackle, Baits and lures, Know your fish and A specialist approach. Each chapter is then broken down into many smaller sections dealing with specific subjects. There really is something for everyone here, from bloodworm and joker fishing on the whip to drifting deadbaits for pike on Scottish lochs. Every aspect of coarse fishing gets a mention. The section on freelining by Bob James pretty much turned me into the fisherman I was to become, with Barrie Rickards' words on lure fishing seeing me through the winter months. The 'specialist approach' chapter got most of my attention.

If you are new to coarse fishing or you know someone who is then this book is well worth tracking down. The magazine article style format of each section makes it very clear and easy to read. Yes it's nearly 20 years old now, but being about A4 in size, over 220 pages, with full colour photographs and illustrations on every page this book is crammed full of information, the vast majority of which is still perfectly relevant today. Thoroughly recommended.

Coch Y Bonddu Books should have no trouble finding you a copy and it won't cost a great deal.

First published by Collins Willow in 1992. This review was written after reading the 1993 Colour Library Books reprint.

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