BEHIND THE RODS. By Bill Cottam. De luxe leather-bound edition.

2009 1st edition. 4to (178 x 251mm). Ppviii,308. Colour photographs, marbled end-papers. Fully bound in black leather, spine titled in white. Black pictorial slipcase. Edition limited to 50 copies.

Published by the author. This is a copy of the leather-bound edition that was limited to only 50 copies. Bill Cottam is the joint owner (with Tim Paisley) of Nutrabaits in Rotherham. "Bill Cottam's long awaited, first solo book 'Behind the Rods' has taken over six years to complete and tells the story of Bill's incredible journey from the small Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire ponds of his youth, all the way through to his successful quest to catch some of the biggest and most sought after carp in the world. Remarkably honest, hilariously funny and royally entertaining, this revealing read undoubtedly succeeds in capturing the true essence and atmosphere of carp angling and the incredible highs and desperate lows of session fishing. This is a book produced to the highest possible quality, packed with previously unpublished material and dozens of stunning colour photographs; 'Behind the Rods' cannot fail to inspire anglers of all abilities, not to mention those of you who have aspirations of a career in the angling industry." Chapters include: A learning curve; Much better than a proper job; Heading west; Nutrabaits - the early years; The Iceman cometh; The Fishabil years; In search of a big common; Having the balls for it; Just like buses; Just what the doctor ordered; Dancing in the streets of Brognon; Pastures new; The creating of a monster; Raising the bar; Destination Saussaie; Beyond Dreamland; Destiny; Now what?