Product Description

A lifetime's fishing experiences written by one of the UK's leading fly fishermen. Brian Clarke is one of Britain's best-known fly-fishermen -- and one of the world's most widely-read angling authors. His monthly column for 'The Times' has become an institution. His widely-ranging, penetrating and often provocative articles for that newspaper and for 'The Sunday Times' have been required reading for serious fishermen for over 30 years. This collection of 71 articles and new essays distils the author's lifetime experience. The ground he covers is immense: fish and how they behave, tackle and how to choose and use it, flyfishing tactics and strategies, angling history and literature, issues and personalities, environmental threats and the future. The whole book carries the authority of Brian's pioneering work in the sport -- and of his groundbreaking studies of trout behaviour, especially. It is informative, thought-provoking, entertaining and beautifully written. 'On Fishing' will help anyone who fishes for anything to understand more, to think more and to catch more.It will draw even non-anglers down into the world under water -- and to the fascinations that fishermen find there.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #173752 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
'Clarke's non-judgmental approach is a delight. Fishing needs more of this' Financial Times Magazine '(Clarke) is a consummate wordsmith, crafting words with succinct, lucid sentences to set the scene for action or discussion ! essential reading for anyone who's interested in our vital aquatic environment.' BBC Country File '! this collection of articles and essays on piscatorial pleasures shows why it is more than just anglers who are drawn to the contemplative flow of his near-perfect pastoral prose.' Scottish Field More praise for Brian Clarke: The Stream (2000) - an environmental novel: 'Devastatingly effective ! ought to be required reading.' The Times 'Magically wrought ! a parable for our times.' The Sunday Times 'The most significant book of its kind I have read since Rachel Carson's Silent Spring.' David Arnold Forster, Chief Executive, English Nature Trout etcetera (1996): 'Instant classic, I'd say ! Marvellously well-written. Enviably written.' Ted Hughes 'Could be read just for its narrative excitement.' Daily Express The Trout and the Fly (1980): 'Of enormous significance.' New York Times 'A treasure-trove of astonishingly new information on the sport.' Fly Fisherman

Fishing Magic, October 2007
'Brian Clarke's lifetime of experience and enthusiasm for fishing shines through every page of his writing'

Hampshire Life, November 2007
'Although aimed at the fisherman, especially the trout angler, his lyrical prose can enrapture all'

Customer Reviews

A great book
I love this book. Brian Clarke succeeds in bringing the appeal of fishing to life in a way that only Ransome and Sheringham have done. The range of subjects he is able to write beautifully about is amazing.

not the best from Brian but interesting nonetheless
A little repetition perhaps or am I being too harsh on a distinctive literary style?
I loved 'The Pursuit of Stillwater Trout' which was a fantastic general insight into trout hunting, and a great technical follow up in 'The Trout and the Fly', but this book seems to be more anecdotal and the technical tips have given way to levity and tales of tight lines and happiness...
Still a good Christmas present I suppose...his style is infective and he is an experienced fly fisherman.
NB why did the publisher decide to use type that is three times as large as normal print? Is it because they assume our eyes have deteriorated after tying all those knots in the half-light of the evening rise? A good idea then, but it makes the book large and cumbersome.

A Literary Treasure
I have to say that in my opinion this is an excellent and varied collection of articles providing a rich tapestry of life on and in the river. As a reader of his Times column I find Brian Clarke's writing of the highest quality. To have such a compilation of his finest writing in one book is a true treasure.