Reviewed by Paul Fletcher
Although I am a fan of technical angling books, I must admit that I much prefer a book that almost takes you there. A book which describes all the reasons why we go fishing – the natural surroundings and the feelings we get before, during and after our fishing trip.
Jack Bevan’s Angling Days is such a book, it really paints the full picture of the reason why we all enjoy fishing and how sometimes, a fish is really a bonus!
Jack Bevan takes us right through his angling life, from the early days when he fished Yorkshire’s rivers, right through to fishing all over the UK and in Europe when he was away on military duty. With the way he ‘paints’ each picture so beautifully, you could almost be walking right behind him!
Although Jack Bevan primarily loves flyfishing on rivers, the book is not just for flyfishing anglers. He brilliantly describes his quests for pike on both rivers and stillwaters.
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There are some angling books where you need to fight through the early chapters before you reach the good parts – but not this book.
The first chapter was one of my favourites as he packs his gear away after another trout season. The way he lovingly describes each piece of tackle, and the memories associated with each really makes you smile and immediately warm to the author. He then moves on to the tackle shop visit we all make. You know the one, where we go in for a fivers worth of ‘bits and bobs’ but on entering the shop we are immediately hypnotised, coming out with the latest rod or reel, even though we don’t need it!!
To sum up Angling Days by Jack Bevan I would say that it makes great easy reading. Whilst you may not learn how to tie the latest fly pattern or fishing method, with Jack Bevan’s romantic writing style, you will be able to picture the exact scene he is writing about. You can almost hear the water running downstream and the birds in the trees and sense the feeling of that first cast of the day!
A book to take you away from the day to day stresses of life and one that any angler can relate to. And, at just £ 7.95 it would be a great addition to your Christmas list!
Angling Days by Jack Bevan
ISBN 1 85058 732 9
£ 7.95
Published by Sigma Leisure who also publish a wide range of cycling, sport and local heritage books.
Check them out at sigmapress.co.uk or telephone 01625 531035.
Watch out for a competition on FISHINGmagic to win copies of this book.
