NOTES ON FISHING: AND SELECTED FISHING PROSE AND POETRY. By Sergei Aksakov.

(ND) 1997 1st English language edition. 8vo (143 x 235mm). Ppxlii,232. B/w chapter heading illustrations, bibliography. Green cloth, spine titled in silver-gilt.

"Translated, introduced, and annotated by Thomas P. Hodge". Includes a 32 page introductory essay by Hodge discussing the problems of translating and editing the work. First published as Zapiski ob Uzhen' e Ryby. This is the first English language translation of Sergei Aksakov's Notes on Fishing, although the book was published in other European languages in Aksakov's lifetime, winning him a solid reputation outside Russia. This book is part of the Studies in Russian Literature and Theory series". I wrote these notes on fishing to reinvigorate my memories, for my own pleasure. I publish them for those inclined to be fishermen, for sportsmen to whom 'fishing rod' and 'fishing' are magic words that stir the soul. I believe my notes can be pleasant and even rather useful to them. ..The latter, because any experience or observation made by a person passionately devoted to something can be useful to those people who share his love for that same subject". Extensive observations and opinion from a lifetime's fishing, with explanation of angling methods for Russian prey species. Chapters include: Translator's introduction - Notes on fishing in Russian context; Notes on technical matters; preface; the origin of the fishing outfit; The rod; The line; The float; The sinker; The hook; The leader; Assembly of the fishing outfit; The bait; On selecting a swim; Groundbait; On fishing skill; On fish in general. Separate sections on each of: Minnow; Toppie; Stone loach; Gudgeon; Bleak; Dace; Ruff; Roach; Rudd; Ide; Chub; Bream; River carp; Pond carp, or Carpia; Tench; Crucian carp; Perch; Asp; Zander; Taimen or Redling; Trout, or Spottie; Grayling, burbot, sheatfish, crayfish, boulters and trimmers, lures. Two appendices are added by the translator / editor: Selected fishing prose by Aksakov (seven chapters), and, Selected fishing poetry by Aksakov (ten pieces). A good translation of a readable book by a first-rate angling writer.