The Publishers, Merlin Unwin, say:
With hundreds of miles of under-fished water, canals represent a vast, untapped fishing resource. From shallow, secluded rural waters to giant urban ship channels, they offer a staggering diversity of angling potential which is open and affordable to all.
Britain’s canals have never been in better shape, with a huge range of species to target. From classic roach fishing to specimen carp, pike and increasingly common surprises like chub and zander, this book covers everything from traditional to ultra-modern techniques.
This is more than just a ‘how to’ volume. With details of venues and notable fish records from every part of the UK, this book also represents an essential guide to Britain’s canals. Whether you’re planning a short break or looking for a fresh challenge on your local ‘Cut’, Dominic Garnett’s book is packed with inspiring ideas, beautiful photography and invaluable information.
FishingMagic say:
Canals – If your first thought is of featureless channels on which you have to scratch around with tiny hooks and bloodworm for a few ‘bits’ then this book is one that will surely make you think again.
Sure, there are ball breakers out there and some cuts run through industrial landscapes where you may spend more time looking over your shoulder that at your float but for every mile of grim urban angling there are dozens of miles of delightful waterway with some exceptional, cheap and often totally unexplored fishing.
In fact there are over 2,000 miles of prime canal fishing in the UK and in this terrific volume, the first dedicated to canal fishing for some 34 years, Dom starts off by charting the history of the systems before moving on to look at all of the species you are likely to encounter on the canals – with solid practical advice on how to locate and fish for them. The information is provided in Dom’s typical easy-to-read style and there are nuggets of quality information for the experienced angler just as there is a wealth of information for the angling beginner or canal virgin; it’s nicely illustrated with some excellent photographs too.
As well as the fish species there are chapters dedicated to the main canal fishing methods too and although these are, by the necessity of space, not covered in great detail there is a decent basic grounding in pole and running line fishing and an excellent chapter on canal lure fishing, which is a topic a lot of anglers might do well to take a close look at.
The book finishes off with an angler’s guide to the canals of Britain and it is here that, for me, the book really comes into its own with a wealth of information on the canals of every region, listing target species, prime areas to fish, controlling clubs, local tackle shops and a whole lot more. Take for example this little gem for the angler visiting the Dudley No. 1 Canal: “Don’t miss ‘The Vine’, aka ‘The Bull and Bladder’, a fantastic old-school pub where it’s still possible to get a perfect pint of local bitter and the biggest pork pie you’ve ever seen and still have plenty of change from a fiver.”
Over the years canals have brought me carp over 35lb, barbel to 15lb plus, chub over 7lb and perch to well over 4lb and yet reading this book I have realised all over again just how good they can be and how much exploring I still have to do.
Thanks for that Dom.
Canal Fishing: A Practical Guide
Author: Dominic Garnett
ISBN: 978 1 906122 64 5
Format: 246 x 189 mm
Binding: Hardback
No. of pages: 224
250 colour photographs
Price: £20.00
