Focus on Fishing

Of all sports, angling has probably occasioned more fine writing than any other - it is, after all, 'the contemplative man's recreation' - and in it I must admit to being somewhat steeped. So a slick presentation consisting of almost more pictures than prose and more captions than formal text causes in this old angler a precautionary raising of reactionary hackles until, that is, the actual subject matter is reached. For what we have here is a good modern fishing book- state of the art in layout and presentation as well as in tackle and techniques.

Whieldon is an experienced angling writer and takes us through the basics of coarse, game and sea fishing with the greatest share going properly to the first of these. Tackle recommendations are sound and tactics well proven. In particular is it pleasant to see plenty of emphasis given to considerate treatment of the quarry while landing, unhooking and returning it - something the fishing books of my youth never mentioned. One thing those old books always mentioned, however, was the preparation of bread paste bait - which, refreshingly, hasn't changed a whit in 45 years! But all the tackle, technique and bait in the world won't help if you can't tie a decent knot - Whieldon's knots are well selected, well described and well illustrated.

It is not the purpose of this book to woo the reader to angling, but for the already committed beginner and improver it provides an extremely useful and reliable guide.