Publisher: Harvill Press, 1999 £ 12.00
Fishermen, more than many, exhibit a desire to write about their hobby or work, and anglers' tales take many forms. Robert Hughes is an Australian living in America. Whilst his story will be well understood by fishermen, he directs his writing to non-anglers as well. From his early casts on the quays of Sydney, through sea fishing to fly fishing in many ways and places is the background to his book. It is not a "How to fish" book but a clear view of modern fishing based on experience.
His purpose, however, is much broader. His historical perspective from the small essential industry to feed coastal communities through gentlemanly pursuit to the modern huge participation in the sport, relates to the increased taking of fish. The modern answer to the problem of over fishing is the farming of fish. The battery- fish is with us, with reared salmon now one of the cheapest of fish and wild salmon becoming more rare and expensive. We are faced with increasingly perfect looking fish in less variety and less flavour.
If you are interested in the future use of lakes, rivers and seas to provide wonderful food, this book presents an alarming picture and tries to stimulate us to react so the codless Newfoundland banks are not repeated elswhere. -HGB
Page prepared 5 June 2000