Another ‘series of trips’ book, but more philosophical than most. If you like Leeson’s book, this is similar. Mostly US fishing with the odd international trip.

The book follows a familiar pattern, a series of stories based on a series of fishing trips. It’s no less interesting as a result though – the main selling point for us is that it’s very local. Grahame fishes the Cotter, Point Hut, Angle Crossing, Frying Pan. The stories are from his very early fishing career in the 70s, so there’s a nice local history aspect here as well. The book is a local pressing and might be a little hard to find. I’m happy to lend my copy if this is the case.

Phil’s prose style is pretty clear and straightforward, not remotely flowery. He still manages to capture the reasons why we fish, and the feelings that go along with it. The local content is appealing, and Phil peppers his stories with advice and technique that make me want to get the highlighter pens out. If you can find a copy of Trout Stories from 2004, it’s also written in a similar vein. (Editor: – I’ve got that in my library J)

‘The book’ on which ‘the movie’ was based. It’s a good read, but don’t expect it to be a meditation on fly fishing beyond it being the chief recreation of the father and brothers around which the tale revolves. It’s still worth picking up, and well, nobody wants to admit they haven’t read it right? See Booktopia

This book lives in my fishing truck, and fills in time when waiting for someone or something on the river. Many fly fishers try their hand at prose writing to varying degrees of success. Leeson sets the standard for the kind of imaginative writing that captures the ideas we all have but can’t quite get the words out for. Highly recommended.