The author wanted to write books that anglers and non-anglers could enjoy in equal measure, something beyond the norm – a lyrical ride that is capable of bouncing images around like a song and that carries a palpable sense of pace and rhythm. Most importantly he wanted to convey the thrill of fishing, the humour, the anticipation and of boundless optimism – all while exploring rivers and enjoying the outdoors.
We all fight our small daily battles to find space and time to do what we truly enjoy, so I hope the reader can empathise with the books characters, situations and add their own meaning to the text.
This story is about fighting for the joy of simple pleasures, coupled with lots of humour and colourful characters – while touching on topics as diverse as contests, superstition, time travel, metamorphoses, music, begging letters and exploring the triumphs and disasters of an average angler from the opening day of the season to its last – a journey that will take me from the bosom of the Ribble to the Aberdeenshire Dee, and a concerned human resources department. All while trying to outrun any form of real life and simultaneously avoiding becoming a walking nervous breakdown.
So far the book has been called a small landmark in angling literature, funny every page and an idiosyncratic joy.
Authors note:
Its been a real pleasure to write these books and I hope that the reader finds them a warm hearted, holistic reading experience that they will want to share with a smile.
James Gilbraith
Author bio: James Gilbraith has enjoyed fishing for thirty six years. He enjoys all methods of angling, as a boy he fished the canals and ponds around Blackburn, Lancashire. Bitten by the salmon bug in his twenties he now fishes for them whenever he can – that’s not to say that you wont catch him lurking for a ribble barbel, grayling or for that matter any other fish ! He is a contributor for Fallons Angler and Eat Sleep
James lives with his family in Clitheroe, Lancashire
