The Knot Tying Bible, Colin Jarman
Every angler should have one of these. This brilliant little book is a practical reference to tying more than 60 of the most commonly used knots, bends and hitches.
Full of clear step-by-step illustrations, each knot is organised by its physical properties rather than its technical name, making it quick and easy to find the best knots for the job at hand: www.fireflybooks.com
Scratching the Surface by Paul Garner
‘Scratching the Surface’ brings to life the eventful career to date of top big-fish angler and writer Dr Paul Garner.
The 320 pages and 43 chapters cover the last 30 years of Paul’s specimen fishing which has seen him land some of the most sought-after fish in the UK. From his early days of pond-dipping, to becoming a teen carp addict, and later adventures spent both at home and abroad in search of monsters in both fresh and saltwater, the book is far more than just a compendium of angling tales – it also covers Paul’s academic studies of freshwater fisheries and a career in the fishing tackle industry.
All books can be supplied signed and dedicated with the text of your choice.
Price: £30 www.drpaulgarner.co.uk
The Scales Don't Lie by Terry Knight
Terry Knight is one of angling’s great characters, and this very detailed and well documented book is a celebration of a remarkable fishing career spanning more than six decades.
A leading light in the predator world, Terry can boast boating one of the largest pike ever.
This book is a great read, with chapters covering famous waters such as Loch Lomond and Blithfield. If you want a personally signed copy, pop along to the PAC convention at the Kettering Conference centre on September 19, where you can meet the man himself.
Price: £29.99 direct from www.mes-marine.co.uk
The Guide to Fishing and Boating on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads by Peter Craven
This new book by Peter Craven is possibly more entertaining than instructional. But ‘The Guide to Fishing and Boating on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads’ is a nicely presented paperback that contains lot of facts about the area, tackle tips and highly detailed maps, making it an ideal companion for anyone thinking about a Broads holiday this summer. www.yps-publishing.co.uk
As I Cast Out, John Langridge
Anyone who has passion for fishing and also for Spain will love this book, written by a man who has lived and fished there for over 25 years. It’s split into three geographically-based parts and also contains some useful angling-related Spanish phrases as well as travel details.
The Medlar Press, £20. www.medlarpress.com
Extreme Pike, Stephen Harper
A new collection of previously unpublished stories about big pike, this is a beautifully designed and illustrated book featuring contributions from many of the country’s top pike anglers. It combines instructional and anecdote and perhaps more than anything else, will inspire the would-be captor of the pike-of-a-lifetime.
Harper Fine Angling Books, £33. www.harperanglingbooks.co.uk
Canal Fishing, a Practical Guide, Dominic Garnett
Regular Angling Times contributor Dom Garnett was brought up fishing the canals of the South West but since then he’s scoured the country for ‘cuts’ offering something a little different. He’s unearthed some real gems here. There’s inspiration and information in equal measure, along with some excellent photography.
Merlin Unwin Books, £20, www.merlinunwin.co.uk
A Keepnet Full Of Dreams, Kevin Grozier
Following on from his acclaimed ‘Avon Days And Ways’, Kevin Crozier moves on to other waters and other experiences, recounting with his usual humour and wisdom the captures of many memorable fish of a variety of species. An entertaining and inspirational read.
£34.30, www.keepnetfullofdreams.com.
A Multitude Of Fins, By Graham Mole
Described as ‘a recent history of Fly Fishing for Trout’, this book is a collection of angling journalist Graham Mole’s articles between the 1980s and the present day. It features a wide selection of subjects, from flies to fishing clubs, angling eccentrics to ladies who fish
Bennion Kearney, £10.99. www.bennionkearny.com
Amazing Fishing Stories, Paul Knight
Filled with fishing tales from around the world, here’s a book that will keep you entertained from the first page to the last. Now available in paperback, the book has been written by the Paul after speaking to dozens of anglers and hearing the stoires they had to tell. Some of them might even be true…
Fernhurst Books, £12.99. www.fernhurstbooks.com
Big Roach 2, Mark Wintle
Following on from his first book about Roach, Mark Wintle has put finger to keyboard again for more tales about Britain’s favourite fish. A pleasing combination of anecdote and instruction, it features stories from some of Britain’s top roach anglers and, in short, anyone who’d like to catch a personal best redfin must read this book.
Calm Productions, £25. www.calmproductions.com
The Idle Angler, Kevin Parr
Anyone who wants a witty, thought-provoking read about why exactly we go fishing would do well to read this book. In a thoroughly engaging style, Kevin writes from personal experiences, covering everything from local ponds and canals to American bass. One for the bedside table.
The Medlar Press, £18. www.medlarpress.com
Lure Fishing, Presentation and Strategy, Dave Pugh
This book makes no pretensions to being anything other than a full and detailed instructional guide to lure fishing, and very impressive it is too. Fishing guide Dave Pugh reveals, in 15 chapters, how he sets about catching more than his share of predators using all types of lure. Well-presented a more-than-useful guide for anyone who wants to catch with lures.
Coch-y-Bonddu Books, £19.95. www.anglebooks.com
Totally Immersed, Martin Bowler
A massive and highly impressive piece of work, Totally Immersed has taken up a huge amount of Martin Bowler’s recent life. The result is worth it: More than 450 pages of beautiful images and inspiring words, written loosely in the form of a diary. Anyone with a love for angling should buy this book.
Calm Productions, £30. www.calmproductions.com
A History of Pike Fishing Vols 1 and 2, Graham Booth
There have been few angling books as painstakingly researched as these two. Undoubtedly the single comprehensive history of pike fishing ever published, the two volumes total well over 600 pages and are full of illustrations and images from hundreds of years ago to the present. One thing’s for sure – you won’t read them in an evening.
Harper Fine Angling Books, £35 each volume. www.harperanglingbooks.co.uk
The Osprey Specimen Group and Friends
Another good read is The Osprey Specimen Group and Friends. It is devoted to the pooled knowledge of the group, with all proceeds going to cancer research.
Price: £25
Robson Green Extreme Fishing
Re-released in paperback cover is Robson Green’s hilarious bestseller Extreme Fishing. The laugh-out-loud book is packed with trivia and even fishing tips (really!), but most of all, it’s fun.
Price: £5.99
Top 100 Day Ticket Carp Waters
If you love your big carp fishing and live in East Anglia or just fancy targeting new waters in that area, then this superb guide to the top 100 day-ticket carp waters in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk is a must-read. Written by avid carper Paul Martin - better known in the angling community as Norfolk Bob - the book is easy to follow, relays precise and up to date information and is packed with helpful hints and tips. Contact.www.dayticket100.co.uk
Price: £12.99
Magical Waters
Created over a four year period- Magical Waters features the late, great angling artist and author John Searle as well as angling legend Dave Steuart, plus friends.
This DVD is a visually stunning, elegant, and atmospheric portrait of angling and natural history on some of the UK’s most beautiful waters.
The sighting, stalking, and capture of massive chalk stream barbel, as well as huge chub, roach and carp is a ‘must watch’ for any angler.
Price £29.99 www.gifts4anglers.co.uk
Thinking Tackle Season 8
Korda’s Thinking Tackle Season 8 DVD is littered with star anglers and big fish action with Danny Fairbrass and his Korda team joined on the bank by a host of guests as they travel to exciting venues in the UK and France and reveal their latest tricks and tactics for big carp.
Price: £19.99
