Meditative Fisherman

Bryan Archer has lived most of his life local to Blagdon Lake, and has been fishing for over 40 years. The Meditative Fisherman is his first book, which he began writing at the respectable age of 72. He is a father and grandfather, and currently lives in Wales.

• Chapter 1 - River Test in HampshireChapter 2 - Float Tubing in New ZealandChapter 3 - Cutthroats in YellowstoneChapter 4 - Grey Wulff on Lough CorribChapter 5 - Salmon fishing in ScotlandChapter 6 - New Zealand and the KlinkhamerChapter 7 - Richard Walker and the Red SedgeChapter 8 - Chew Valley Lake and a forgotten flyChapter 9 - Floating down the Beaverhead RiverChapter 10 - Lough Corrib in a Caenis hatchChapter 11 - Red Kites over Clywedog Reservoir

“an uncommon journey laced with fleeting youth, changing health, considerate mindfulness, devoted practitioners and enough lovely locations to bring together a man’s life, immersed in water." - Todd Corayer, The Fishwrap Writer'It's a slightly strange but intriguing approach to those various thoughts we all have as fishermen as we progress through the stages of bare novice, keen tyro, skilled hunter to old hand. That is a common journey of growing experience, but what is far less common is the parallel journey of understanding ourselves as individuals, in the context of social being, with the aim of contentment. The Meditative Fisherman documents his novel and stimulating thoughts about what it is to be a thinking, conscious and improving person, which constitutes rather an unique fishing book.' - Fallon's Angler “In this first book, author Bryan Archer takes readers on a voyage that intertwines the art of fly fishing with profound introspection and personal contemplation.”  - Fishing Outdoors NZ“It is a delight!” - Professor Bruce Hood, Writer, The Self Illusion“It’s a charming, waywardly candid little book - chapeau!” - Tim Parks, Writer, Out of my Head"Over the years I have read many a book on fishing, from the original Mr. Crabtree to the latest monthly articles on catching in magazines. I have to say this is amongst the best of reads. It covers flies and places both here and abroad in wide detail alongside philosophising his activities through outside memories.""In equal measure I was charmed and instructed by this book as it flitted from great days out with Buzzers, Coch Y Bonddu and the Grey Wulff to Meditation, Philosophy and Neuroscience. I think there is something for everyone here although I should declare a special interest, as I am a fly fisherman who is fascinated by the workings of the subconscious. This is a genuine meditative travelogue drawn from many years of casting into the unknown to see what lies beneath the surface. I loved reading it."