THE LARGEST TIGERFISH IN THE WORLD: THE GOLIATH. By Douglas Dann.

ND (2000) 1st English language edition. Square 4to (253 x 296mm). Pp119. Colour photographs, colour paintings by the author, maps, beige end-papers. Maroon boards, spine and upper board titled in pale green, image of tigerfish head on upper board.

Dann and his friends lived in Kinshasa and fished the Congo for Mbenga, the goliath tigerfish. Unlike Boote and Wade who undertook difficult expeditions to fish for a semi-mythical monster, these chaps were fishing on their own doorstep and catching these spectacular fish regularly. Terrific photographs of fish up to 50kg, together with detailed descriptions of methods and tactics. Unfortunately the politics of West Africa have placed this fishing out-of-bounds for the last few years. Dann now lives in exile in Canada. However, as things settle down in West Africa the potential for an exciting trip looks better. If you really want to be put off, read "Somewhere down the crazy river" by Boote and Wade, and "Congo journey" by Redmond O'Hanlon.