Testament of a Trout Fisher

Laurence Catlow is considered one of the finest and most thoughtful writers on flyfishing today.He has a doctorate in Classics from Cambridge University and was Head of Classics at Sedbergh School. He lives in Brough, Cumbria, and fishes mainly in that county and in Yorkshire, although his pursuit of trout also takes him further afield, to Scotland, Wales, Shropshire and Hampshire.His other interests include shooting and beating, walking his dogs, wine, religion and classical music.Laurence Catlow writes about shooting and fishing for the sporting press.He is author of Confessions of a Shooting, Fishing Man, Once a Flyfisher, Private Thoughts from a Small Shoot and That Strange Alchemy. all published by Merlin Unwin Books.

• Fishing at Seventy 7Start of the Season 18On the Mayfly 33High Summer 52Separation and Reunion 75September 91Holiday Fishing 117Wales and the Spirit of Place 133Biggest Trout 146Tying Flies 161A Fisher Who Shoots 194The Beck 205Fishing in the Time of Covid 223What’s in a Trout? 236

This man has been captivated and beguiled by a lifelong love. I found his passion for the river and its trout totally endearing. This is a book I enjoyed reading for its own sake, not necessary to learn anything new but to be entertained and stimulated to think about the how and why of my own fishing, and to be grateful that within the hobby that we love peace and contentment are two of its profound rewards.