TO CATCH A TROUT: A COMPLETE FLY FISHING GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS. By Nick Maskrey.

1991 1st edition. 8vo (173 x 222mm). Pp164. Colour plates of flies, illustrations, brief bibliography. Black boards, spine titled in silver-gilt.

Anecdotes and practical advice from an enthusiast of the chalk streams and the dry fly although, "he has fished all over Britain and includes much that will be of interest and inform the wet fly fisher of the rain-fed rivers". Chapters include: Difficult beginnings with the dry fly, irrigating the water meadows, a first look at flies, the tackle needed, the fisherman and the trout; thinking like a fish, some special tactics, reading the rise forms; Seeing and being seen, suitable clothing, problems with glasses; Bridges, weirs and sluices, flies for special places; why you should tie your own flies, the hooks to use, how to tie flies; Favourite fly patterns; Problems with drag, the mysterious acceptance of nymphs, two fish that evaded capture; Fishing nymphs, Sawyer and Skues, making sure the fish see the fly, confidence in the fly; Rain-fed rivers, a Scottish experience, trips to Wales, the Gloucestershire Coln, a West Country holiday; autumn fishing, good intentions and winter outings, club rules and your consicence, weed-cutting and electro-fishing.