A question which I hope will generate a little bit of debate - who do you rate as a carp angling writer?
I'll offer my view; the only carp angling writers worth reading are Tim Paisley, Rod Hutchinson, Jim Gibbinson and (at a stretch) Chris Yates - and Tim Paisley is head and shoulders above the rest. He's the only one who combines real carp fishing success with a genuine gift for writing. Chris Yates is an artist with the written word, but the tweed-and-cane approach doesn't resonate with me. Richard Walker's account of Clarissa's capture is magical - '...sat smoking and thinking till dawn...' - but it's a single story and he was more of a generalist. The vast majority of carp anglers with books to their name can certainly put the words down on the page, but the vast majority of carp books are pretty dull reads, if not just downright bad. I've just read the 'classic' Rob Maylin's Tiger Bay - and I struggled to finish it.
Who do you rate, and why?
I'll offer my view; the only carp angling writers worth reading are Tim Paisley, Rod Hutchinson, Jim Gibbinson and (at a stretch) Chris Yates - and Tim Paisley is head and shoulders above the rest. He's the only one who combines real carp fishing success with a genuine gift for writing. Chris Yates is an artist with the written word, but the tweed-and-cane approach doesn't resonate with me. Richard Walker's account of Clarissa's capture is magical - '...sat smoking and thinking till dawn...' - but it's a single story and he was more of a generalist. The vast majority of carp anglers with books to their name can certainly put the words down on the page, but the vast majority of carp books are pretty dull reads, if not just downright bad. I've just read the 'classic' Rob Maylin's Tiger Bay - and I struggled to finish it.
Who do you rate, and why?
That's easy mate..
For me it's BB or Denys Watkins Pitchford..as I feel transported back to a time of simplicity and wonderment and anticipation..
The other is Ken...as I can relate to those places and anglers mentioned..
For me it's BB or Denys Watkins Pitchford..as I feel transported back to a time of simplicity and wonderment and anticipation..
The other is Ken...as I can relate to those places and anglers mentioned..
In reply to Post #1
Rob Maylin's-fox pool
Redmire pool
Dave lane flick of a tail my favourite 3 books
Rob Maylin's-fox pool
Redmire pool
Dave lane flick of a tail my favourite 3 books
In reply to Post #1
I think Chris Yates is the best fishing writer in general whose work I have read. I don't find any other author encapsulates fishing in its innocence as well as he does. His writing clearly portrays his child-like wonder about fishing and engages my imagination better than any other. I think it's likely a result of his highly descriptive and loose writing style. Many other fishing authors are far too stiff and remind me of reading scientific journal articles at university.
In terms of a dedicated carp fishing writer then I would put Terry Hearn's name into the mix. However, I say this based upon his first book only which followed the story of his carp fishing "apprenticeship". I find the two subsequent books he has written to be more of an account of what he has caught from various lakes rather than a progression in learning the "trade". Saying that, I still think all three books are enjoyable reads. It may just be that I was learning carp fishing when I read the first book so it resonated much more with me.
I think Chris Yates is the best fishing writer in general whose work I have read. I don't find any other author encapsulates fishing in its innocence as well as he does. His writing clearly portrays his child-like wonder about fishing and engages my imagination better than any other. I think it's likely a result of his highly descriptive and loose writing style. Many other fishing authors are far too stiff and remind me of reading scientific journal articles at university.
In terms of a dedicated carp fishing writer then I would put Terry Hearn's name into the mix. However, I say this based upon his first book only which followed the story of his carp fishing "apprenticeship". I find the two subsequent books he has written to be more of an account of what he has caught from various lakes rather than a progression in learning the "trade". Saying that, I still think all three books are enjoyable reads. It may just be that I was learning carp fishing when I read the first book so it resonated much more with me.
Chris Ball.
Gaz Fareham.
Gaz Fareham.
In reply to Post #4
Agree with Yates & BB. Both fantastic masters of the English language and can transport the reader into another time & place and manage to evoke that sense of mystery and wonder we all felt (feel?) when we began to fish.
Hutchy deserves a mention - he was a master story teller and ‘Carp Strikes Back' is probably my most read book after Casting at the Sun & Confessions - he has to be considered as one of our finest angling writers both from his ability to tell a cracking story with lots of humour & his ability to write complex technical articles based upon his instinctive, creative and innovative approach to carp angling.
The one book of the relatively recent ones that I thoroughly enjoyed was Dempsey's book ‘The Urban Myth' - I never could put my finger on exactly why & what I enjoyed so much about it but maybe it's because he's a similar age to me and his angling exploits as a youngster were just incredible & about as far removed from my own as you could get. If you started carp fishing in the early ‘80's then this is a really good read. Completely different from Yates & BB but definitely up there in my top 10 angling books.
Plenty of other non-carp specific authors as well... most recent that I have read that comes to mind is John Aston's ‘A Dream of Jewelled Fishes' - just a lovely read. Too many to choose from but if I had to pick one author to take to that desert island it would have to be Yates.
Agree with Yates & BB. Both fantastic masters of the English language and can transport the reader into another time & place and manage to evoke that sense of mystery and wonder we all felt (feel?) when we began to fish.
Hutchy deserves a mention - he was a master story teller and ‘Carp Strikes Back' is probably my most read book after Casting at the Sun & Confessions - he has to be considered as one of our finest angling writers both from his ability to tell a cracking story with lots of humour & his ability to write complex technical articles based upon his instinctive, creative and innovative approach to carp angling.
The one book of the relatively recent ones that I thoroughly enjoyed was Dempsey's book ‘The Urban Myth' - I never could put my finger on exactly why & what I enjoyed so much about it but maybe it's because he's a similar age to me and his angling exploits as a youngster were just incredible & about as far removed from my own as you could get. If you started carp fishing in the early ‘80's then this is a really good read. Completely different from Yates & BB but definitely up there in my top 10 angling books.
Plenty of other non-carp specific authors as well... most recent that I have read that comes to mind is John Aston's ‘A Dream of Jewelled Fishes' - just a lovely read. Too many to choose from but if I had to pick one author to take to that desert island it would have to be Yates.
I prefer a modern writer within reason but for you guys who clearly prefer the more classic artistic writings you cannot forget about Skeff. His book is a work of art imo.
In reply to Post #7
modern writers (that ive read) spoil everything when they start going on about "products", i find it rather tedious.
Yates carp books are brilliant, i enjoyed TP's books and Maddocks books
Modern day, i only rate Terry H.
I will agree, "A fool and his eel" is an exceptional bit of work, but i would say that as he's a mate of mine
modern writers (that ive read) spoil everything when they start going on about "products", i find it rather tedious.
Yates carp books are brilliant, i enjoyed TP's books and Maddocks books
Modern day, i only rate Terry H.
I will agree, "A fool and his eel" is an exceptional bit of work, but i would say that as he's a mate of mine
In reply to Post #6
"Plenty of other non-carp specific authors as well... most recent that I have read that comes to mind is John Aston's ‘A Dream of Jewelled Fishes' - just a lovely read."
If you didn't know there's a follow up to ‘A Dream of Jewelled Fishes' , called 'The glorious uncertainty'. And he's written a book on motorsport and motoring, if that's your thing.
"Plenty of other non-carp specific authors as well... most recent that I have read that comes to mind is John Aston's ‘A Dream of Jewelled Fishes' - just a lovely read."
If you didn't know there's a follow up to ‘A Dream of Jewelled Fishes' , called 'The glorious uncertainty'. And he's written a book on motorsport and motoring, if that's your thing.
In reply to Post #8
I did say within reason Joss. I cant think of a single book I've read that mentions any product. I agree that would put me off straight away
I did say within reason Joss. I cant think of a single book I've read that mentions any product. I agree that would put me off straight away
Interesting views. I really want to put Yates and BB on a pedestal, but they're 'period pieces' and, while great craftsmen, not reflective of modern carp fishing.
Too many of those who orbited around Rod Hutchinson are of what Jim Gibbinson (another gifted writer with a wonderfully dry turn of phrase!) described as the 'beer and curry brigade'. Reading that stuff gets very old, very quickly.
Follow up question: most cliched phrase in a carp book. My money's on 'the rod was almost torn from my grasp...
Too many of those who orbited around Rod Hutchinson are of what Jim Gibbinson (another gifted writer with a wonderfully dry turn of phrase!) described as the 'beer and curry brigade'. Reading that stuff gets very old, very quickly.
Follow up question: most cliched phrase in a carp book. My money's on 'the rod was almost torn from my grasp...
Jim Shelley's “Waters I've been banned from” volumes 1-6 are an exceptional read.
His latest book “Bait companies like wot I av worked for” is set to to serialised on Netflix.
On a serious note the best modern book it's my opinion are
Tels first book
Willmotts first book
Micky Greys first book.
His latest book “Bait companies like wot I av worked for” is set to to serialised on Netflix.
On a serious note the best modern book it's my opinion are
Tels first book
Willmotts first book
Micky Greys first book.
In reply to Post #1
Tim paisley's, various like from the bivy, carp amid the storm, and enything he's done on bait, he gets me thinking, and Micky greys books because you can feel the pasion,
Tim paisley's, various like from the bivy, carp amid the storm, and enything he's done on bait, he gets me thinking, and Micky greys books because you can feel the pasion,
For me it has to be the three carp fishing books in my bookcase that I've picked up to start reading and finished them the same day, most take me a bit of time to read from a week to a month sometimes picking them up and putting them back down.
My three are Terry Hearn's first book in pursuit, Mike Willmottt's first book carp life and Chris Yates casting at the sun.
My three are Terry Hearn's first book in pursuit, Mike Willmottt's first book carp life and Chris Yates casting at the sun.
In reply to Post #14
Great books but as another poster said about certain books as period pieces I fear these will be veiwed the same way soon. Thicky's first is a classic but there are many I enjoyed at the time, John Harry's savay was a great read for anyone that wanted to fish there. Chris Ball the history of brilliant reference book.
Great books but as another poster said about certain books as period pieces I fear these will be veiwed the same way soon. Thicky's first is a classic but there are many I enjoyed at the time, John Harry's savay was a great read for anyone that wanted to fish there. Chris Ball the history of brilliant reference book.
In reply to Post #15
I can't agree about John Harry's book; a nice record of the 'golden age' on an iconic water, but another one I struggled to finish - it just got a bit boring. It's all very subjective, I know.
I can't agree about John Harry's book; a nice record of the 'golden age' on an iconic water, but another one I struggled to finish - it just got a bit boring. It's all very subjective, I know.
Can't believe nobody has mentioned Keith Jenkins.
His trilogy of fictional carp fishing, especially 'The Myth' is a wonderful read.
His trilogy of fictional carp fishing, especially 'The Myth' is a wonderful read.
In reply to Post #1
Very good post and very subjective a bit like music. I cant stand flowery writing... the leaves were turning red and fluttering down...nice now and again and i enjoy but every page...definately not. I enjoy more earthy... even dirty writing and like myself im well aware most of us are not proper writers. Skef on this forum is a proper writer... its not just his passion but its his written word that makes his words even better but quite often thats education thats given some the tools to do an even better book. One thing i will say is i certainly know im not a good writer but im a good story teller who can only use the words i know and thats why most books i enjoy are by anglers who havent tried to hard to be something they are not.... i love reading books and yes some are better than others but in most books there are bits i come out thinking.. i enjoyed this bit or that bit but only a few i think wow i loved the whole book!
Very good post and very subjective a bit like music. I cant stand flowery writing... the leaves were turning red and fluttering down...nice now and again and i enjoy but every page...definately not. I enjoy more earthy... even dirty writing and like myself im well aware most of us are not proper writers. Skef on this forum is a proper writer... its not just his passion but its his written word that makes his words even better but quite often thats education thats given some the tools to do an even better book. One thing i will say is i certainly know im not a good writer but im a good story teller who can only use the words i know and thats why most books i enjoy are by anglers who havent tried to hard to be something they are not.... i love reading books and yes some are better than others but in most books there are bits i come out thinking.. i enjoyed this bit or that bit but only a few i think wow i loved the whole book!
In reply to Post #1
From back in day Hutchinson and Maylin had the balance between technical and smelling the roses.
Recently Bill Cottam and Adam Penning for me
From back in day Hutchinson and Maylin had the balance between technical and smelling the roses.
Recently Bill Cottam and Adam Penning for me
In reply to Post #16
I have picked up a few books over the years. As well as the anglers it's the waters that fascinate me and especially the era, really special times. I have Albert Romps original book and I picked up John Harry's, both on savvy, magical times really and make you want to fish there. Read them a few times lol. Read loads on Wraysbury from Springates unbelievable brace and a lot of the captures and anglers, to Terry Hearns first book, Jim Shelleys and Dave Lanes which both provide brilliant coverage of the water and their times on there. I have the Wraysbury chronicles, started reading it one winter and never completed it, there's a though...
II don't have any Tim Paisley ones which I don't understand why, tell a lie, I bought the more recent carp baits book he did, and I have the Beekay guide by Rob Maylin, cracking little reference at the time but other than that I don't have any other books by him which to be fair, again, I don't understand why, guess he is a bit of a more modern legend really. I have Springates big carp legends and Lee Jackson's too, need to have a look in the loft, i have Mike Willmots and I have a few others too, couple of Martins Clark's (the word curp pisses me off though)
I have picked up a few books over the years. As well as the anglers it's the waters that fascinate me and especially the era, really special times. I have Albert Romps original book and I picked up John Harry's, both on savvy, magical times really and make you want to fish there. Read them a few times lol. Read loads on Wraysbury from Springates unbelievable brace and a lot of the captures and anglers, to Terry Hearns first book, Jim Shelleys and Dave Lanes which both provide brilliant coverage of the water and their times on there. I have the Wraysbury chronicles, started reading it one winter and never completed it, there's a though...
II don't have any Tim Paisley ones which I don't understand why, tell a lie, I bought the more recent carp baits book he did, and I have the Beekay guide by Rob Maylin, cracking little reference at the time but other than that I don't have any other books by him which to be fair, again, I don't understand why, guess he is a bit of a more modern legend really. I have Springates big carp legends and Lee Jackson's too, need to have a look in the loft, i have Mike Willmots and I have a few others too, couple of Martins Clark's (the word curp pisses me off though)
In reply to Post #16
When I read savay I had it in the car intending to lend it to a lad in my local tackle shop, he wasn't there but I chatted to the owner and another guy I recognised. This other guy rarely visited the shop but we got talking in the car park and he saw the book on the dash of my car and he offered to show me around savay so I took his number and made arrangements. At that time you could become a day member and if lucky would after time get on the syndicate. Had the tour and met John Harry and Pete broxup and fully intended to fish there but life got in the way and it never happened. The guy that showed me around passed away years ago and my local shop used to stock his rods but the only ones left in were a pair of extacy's which the shop owner kept, the guy was of course Bruce Ashby.
When I read savay I had it in the car intending to lend it to a lad in my local tackle shop, he wasn't there but I chatted to the owner and another guy I recognised. This other guy rarely visited the shop but we got talking in the car park and he saw the book on the dash of my car and he offered to show me around savay so I took his number and made arrangements. At that time you could become a day member and if lucky would after time get on the syndicate. Had the tour and met John Harry and Pete broxup and fully intended to fish there but life got in the way and it never happened. The guy that showed me around passed away years ago and my local shop used to stock his rods but the only ones left in were a pair of extacy's which the shop owner kept, the guy was of course Bruce Ashby.
In reply to Post #21
Had a Bruce Ashby spod rod, rocketeer was nice,
Savay is that the place thay had mushrooms for breakfast if thay caught, sure I read that in Maylins books
Had a Bruce Ashby spod rod, rocketeer was nice,
Savay is that the place thay had mushrooms for breakfast if thay caught, sure I read that in Maylins books
In reply to Post #20
I agree with most of what you say. If the story and venue are interesting and ideally varies throughout the book I tend to enjoy them. A few of my favourites have already been mentioned, I like the first 2 Dave Lane books and I thought Still Searching was the best read of Terry Heavens. I especially like the books that are a little different, Skeffs definitely fits that category (again not just because I class him as a friend) and I also really enjoyed Stuart Harris book A Coming or Age. I also like the history and have a few on Redmire,, the Chris Ball history books and the Carp Society Every Picture Tells a Story. A few books I have read and been underwhelmed by but the only one I have not been able to finish as really did not enjoy is Martin Clarke's Strictly Carp. Agree with the sentiment that product placement is off putting in books, and thankfully I have not really noticed it hugely in the majority of books I have. As already said, this area is very subjective just as it should be
I agree with most of what you say. If the story and venue are interesting and ideally varies throughout the book I tend to enjoy them. A few of my favourites have already been mentioned, I like the first 2 Dave Lane books and I thought Still Searching was the best read of Terry Heavens. I especially like the books that are a little different, Skeffs definitely fits that category (again not just because I class him as a friend) and I also really enjoyed Stuart Harris book A Coming or Age. I also like the history and have a few on Redmire,, the Chris Ball history books and the Carp Society Every Picture Tells a Story. A few books I have read and been underwhelmed by but the only one I have not been able to finish as really did not enjoy is Martin Clarke's Strictly Carp. Agree with the sentiment that product placement is off putting in books, and thankfully I have not really noticed it hugely in the majority of books I have. As already said, this area is very subjective just as it should be
In reply to Post #17
Had the myth book very good read
Had the myth book very good read
In reply to Post #22
Yes.
Yes.
Not an out and out angling writer as such. But I do like what Gaz Farham did with the subsurface journals. Lots of really nice photography. Definitely not just pages and pages of words then a few capture shots, like so many other books. I think it was Gaz who did the iconic lake illustrations for In Pursuit, it's nice to see some work done from a different angle. Like the excellent BCSG magazines over the years.
In reply to Post #26
Subsurface are doing a biannual magazine now "SUBmag" Wayne. Equally as good as the journals.
Subsurface are doing a biannual magazine now "SUBmag" Wayne. Equally as good as the journals.
In reply to Post #27
I didn't know that. I will check it out.
Cheers
I didn't know that. I will check it out.
Cheers
In reply to Post #1
I agree that Tim Paisley is pretty much peerless as the best carp fishing author of the past 40 years, if you include his books, Carpworld, Matthew Black articles in Coarse Angler, and sheer longevity. Others may have caught bigger fish, and more of them, but they can't express it on paper like he can.
I think his best book is 'Carp Season' which seems to go under the radar for some reason - the Redmire Interview is a great read, like a mini drama in itself (I never quite understood the animosity around Kevin Maddocks. who was my boyhood hero, until I read it). And the Jack Hilton interview is a piece of carp fishing history, plus a great chapter too on the Tip Lake Darenth, in it's heyday, when he was travelling from Sheffield to fish it.
I agree that Tim Paisley is pretty much peerless as the best carp fishing author of the past 40 years, if you include his books, Carpworld, Matthew Black articles in Coarse Angler, and sheer longevity. Others may have caught bigger fish, and more of them, but they can't express it on paper like he can.
I think his best book is 'Carp Season' which seems to go under the radar for some reason - the Redmire Interview is a great read, like a mini drama in itself (I never quite understood the animosity around Kevin Maddocks. who was my boyhood hero, until I read it). And the Jack Hilton interview is a piece of carp fishing history, plus a great chapter too on the Tip Lake Darenth, in it's heyday, when he was travelling from Sheffield to fish it.
Tim Paisley, Rod Hutchinson, Ken T, Chris Yates, Jim Gibbinson, and Elliot Symak.
I have tried reading other carp fishing authors and no-one seems to hold a candle to these guys, though there are some multi species writers I enjoy.
With the exception of Rod Hutchinson, catching big carp does not make you a writer. Yet Hutchy's humour and style were his own.
I have tried reading other carp fishing authors and no-one seems to hold a candle to these guys, though there are some multi species writers I enjoy.
With the exception of Rod Hutchinson, catching big carp does not make you a writer. Yet Hutchy's humour and style were his own.
In reply to Post #29
Yer old Mathew black wernt 2 shabby, he made you live the pain with him , the hurt that is carping the suffering and then the 5 minutes where your the happier bunny on the planet, f I love it
Yer old Mathew black wernt 2 shabby, he made you live the pain with him , the hurt that is carping the suffering and then the 5 minutes where your the happier bunny on the planet, f I love it
In reply to Post #1
Tudge, aka Mark Tunnacliffe. Hasn't written much and certainly isn't known nationally but what he has penned is superb. Unpretentious, yet has a way of conveying atmosphere, whilst stitching events together. If “The Promise” in Northern Chapters doesn't raise any emotion then I'd be very surprised.
Bottom line is that most of these anglers aren't writers, but end up telling their stories due to desire/financial/request/success/cathartic/other reasons. To have an expectation of any of them to create a masterpiece is unrealistic. They are anglers first, and, in almost every case, writers a distant second. There are only a few classics. My view is that literally anyone has a chapter or two in them, an entire book is different gravy though, and I'd guess it's extremely hard to write a good one. The only way the author finds out if it's any cop is a while after the event... As a wise man once said to me, “stick your head above the parapet and prepare to be shot down.”
Tudge, aka Mark Tunnacliffe. Hasn't written much and certainly isn't known nationally but what he has penned is superb. Unpretentious, yet has a way of conveying atmosphere, whilst stitching events together. If “The Promise” in Northern Chapters doesn't raise any emotion then I'd be very surprised.
Bottom line is that most of these anglers aren't writers, but end up telling their stories due to desire/financial/request/success/cathartic/other reasons. To have an expectation of any of them to create a masterpiece is unrealistic. They are anglers first, and, in almost every case, writers a distant second. There are only a few classics. My view is that literally anyone has a chapter or two in them, an entire book is different gravy though, and I'd guess it's extremely hard to write a good one. The only way the author finds out if it's any cop is a while after the event... As a wise man once said to me, “stick your head above the parapet and prepare to be shot down.”
In reply to Post #32
Loved his ramblings very emotional m8
Loved his ramblings very emotional m8
I will say this, for me. It's either about a special moment in time such as the venue or the men who are catching the real sought after ones, that's how I see carp fishing or something original and genuinely interesting, I can understand the knowledge sharing ones too
The first time some “hauler” of just “carp” or a carp “match star” writes a book it will be perfect bbq lighting material for me
One word, inspirational
The first time some “hauler” of just “carp” or a carp “match star” writes a book it will be perfect bbq lighting material for me
One word, inspirational
In reply to Post #1
I guess much depends on what you consider writing. Hearn, Hutchinson, Paisley, BB, Mike Redfern, Nigel Sharp and Albert Romp are writers whose works I enjoyed most. Also really liked Arbery's Redmire Pool and Steve Briggs' books. One of my favorite authors is Dave Lane, but after reading Fine Lines I seriously doubt he wrote his first books or had someone do most of it for him. Totally unrecognizable style.
On that note, I started reading Jim Shelley last week and I do enjoy his book thus far. I do wonder though, whether books by guys like Shelley (learned to read only just before writing his first book), Lane, Briggs and Sharp are the fruits of their own labour, or totally edited. Sharp's Living the Dream for example has that same feel of his friend Terry Hearn's first books. So can those guys really write or do they have good editors?
I guess much depends on what you consider writing. Hearn, Hutchinson, Paisley, BB, Mike Redfern, Nigel Sharp and Albert Romp are writers whose works I enjoyed most. Also really liked Arbery's Redmire Pool and Steve Briggs' books. One of my favorite authors is Dave Lane, but after reading Fine Lines I seriously doubt he wrote his first books or had someone do most of it for him. Totally unrecognizable style.
On that note, I started reading Jim Shelley last week and I do enjoy his book thus far. I do wonder though, whether books by guys like Shelley (learned to read only just before writing his first book), Lane, Briggs and Sharp are the fruits of their own labour, or totally edited. Sharp's Living the Dream for example has that same feel of his friend Terry Hearn's first books. So can those guys really write or do they have good editors?
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