OFF THE HOOK. By Rosie Barham.

2011 1st edition. Small 8vo paperback (109 x 175mm). Pp320. B/w photographs, b/w illustrations by Kate Barham.

"Rosie Barham takes an affectionate sideways look at the idiosyncrasies of anglers of all disciplines, shows us the lighter side of fishing widowhood and how the experience of living alongside fishing-obsessed family and friends eventually worked in her favour." "There are tales of the unexpected, alongside the more mundane daily tasks necessary to keep a fishing household ticking along nicely. Off the Hook is mostly about seeing the funny side of life from a fishing widow's point of view and the format follows that of an almanac so that there are anecdotes for every month of the year. It is hoped that fishing widows everywhere will gain comfort from the fact that they are not alone in trying to understand the sometimes bizarre behaviour of their loved ones. Anglers also may find some insight into their own actions, since most of them seem to be blissfully unaware that their mindset is in any way unusual." Contents include:- January frosts; February blizzards; Mad as March air; April showers; Darling buds of May; Flaming June; July-kit hot?; August occasions; September in the rain; October - stranger things have happened; November - apples and wet leaves; December - Yule be sorry!; Epilogue; The French connection; Last word; Appendix - or the bits that don't fit in anywhere else.