2010 1st edition. Published by the author. Yeovil, Somerset. Large 4to. Pp390. Colour & b/w photographs, bibliography. Pict blue cloth gilt. Edition limited to 250 signed & numbered copies Mint in dust-wrapper. Signed by the author.
Notes: "...The British Tunny Club, Hardy Bros. tackle and big game fishing in the 1930's." Between the two World Wars, the Yorkshire coast was the epicentre of a sporting tunny fishery which attracted the attention of the rich and famous. The tunny followed the North Sea fishing fleet, to which anglers were taken by a variety of charter vessels. Trawlermen would point out the location of tunny in return for a crate of beer, and the angler would then be dropped off in 14' or 15' rowing boat to do battle alone. Fish would often tow anglers for miles. The record was 798lbs and fish approaching this size were common. Hardy's responded to the new scene with specialist tackle, including rods and reels. The big-game fishery ceased at the outbreak of war in 1939, and failed to take off again afterwards owing to the disappearance of the herring shoals and so also the tunny which fed on them. "Heroic tales of epic sea battles, enormous record breaking fish, the special tackle used, and social history of the time will fascinate anglers and tackle collectors alike." (John Drewett in his Foreword). "The collaboration between Mark Ross and David Watson has produced a hugely important tribute to an element of British angling history that excites so many fishermen and collectors." A splendid book in every respect.
