Get Fishing book review
Full of sound advice, tips and inspiration, Get Fishing is an excellent and very welcoming guide to the world of angling
7th December 2019 Off the Scale Merlin Unwin Books
It is fair to say that it has never been easier to find information on fish, fishing and fishing venues. In theory, our pastime should be more accessible than ever, with a wealth of knowledge literally at your fingertips. Yet, us anglers seem to have developed a culture – especially online – where curious minds are often reluctant to ask even the most innocuous questions for fear of ridicule and belittlement. But, as many have forgotten, we all have to start somewhere and that somewhere isn’t always on a screen (ironic, we know).
Allan Sefton’s new book Get Fishing is a more traditional approach to introducing people to the wonderful world of angling. This ‘how-to’ style, 128 page hardback, from regular fishing publishers Merlin Unwin Books, is easy to follow and full of encouragement for all levels. There is a particular emphasis on youth and the book is deliberately geared towards rousing more youngsters into the sport. Indeed, Allan is now a Level 2 angling coach and it is this noble slant which sees the book fully endorsed by the Angling Trust , the UK’s representative angling body.
As you might expect from a new title, Get Fishing is written for the modern angling scene and focused on the UK and, to a lesser extent, Ireland. The three major disciplines – sea, fly and coarse – are well-covered throughout, although the author openly admits that coarse fishing is the most straightforward place for anyone to start. The book leans very much towards this area as a result.
Although the book reflects the abundant convenience of commercial carp venues across much of the UK, almost all branches of angling are introduced, from pole fishing to lures, flies to beach fishing. Overall, the style of the book is descriptive and brilliantly useful. There are profiles on the most common fish species and where to find them, as well as instructions on casting techniques, bait choice, techniques, fish care and tackle options. There are lots and lots of useful tips throughout and it provides information on a little bit of everything, which will hopefully grab the attention of varied readers and perhaps encourage an all-round angler mentality. Above all, the overriding message is that fishing is fun!
Not only is Get Fishing bright, vibrant and adorned by lots of colourful, instructive imagery but, refreshingly, the book provides reassuring advice for parents and guardians on oft-ignored aspects of fishing such as regulations and licences, venue options, seating arrangements, clothing choice and water safety.
“Get Fishing abounds in information not only on how to fish but how to enjoy”
Get Fishing abounds in information not only on how to fish but how to enjoy. Many well-meaning introductory volumes are maybe guilty of being overly-technical but Allan Sefton has done a tremendous job in simplifying angling so that any reader, irrespective of age or experience, can understand it. Genuinely, someone who has never even held a fishing rod could read this book and grasp the basics very quickly, such is the welcoming, illustrative language used. Given the widespread decline in youth participation across angling, this is to be highly commended.
Full of sound advice, tips and inspiration, Get Fishing is an excellent and very welcoming guide to the world of angling. The last of twelve chapters summarises the book’s ethos perfectly; “Fishing is a journey, not a destination”. How true that statement is and anyone reading this who has been afflicted by a passion for angling will no doubt testify that it is, indeed, life-changing. Perhaps gifting this book to a son or daughter, niece or nephew, friend or work colleague will inspire another angler to Get Fishing ?
Get Fishing is available from selected UK tackle shops, online book stores such as Amazon and Merlin Unwin Books directly
RRP is £9.99