Fisherman

Press, Volume C, Issue 29680, 25 November 1961, Page 3

Fisherman

Trout From The Hills. By lan Niall. Heinemann. 160 pp.

This is an enchanting book about the art of fly-fishing in the high lakes and tarns of North Wales. It will be relished as much by the armchair angler as by the ad. dieted fly-fisherman himself, as the author knows exactly how to communicate the “feel” of a day's expedition, and at the same time how to provide a creel-full of technical information and knowhow. This book is indeed a very personal record of ex. perience and advice, full of instruction and entertainment. With the skill of a practised writer (lan Niall has several novels to his credit, besides a handbook on poaching), the author here muses knowledgeably of the blank days and frustrations as well as of those moments of elation that every angler knows so well. Actual fishing conditions in Wales are quite different from those in New Zealand, yet seasoned fishermen in this Dominion will appreciate most of the instruction offered, particularly the pages dealing with the making, tying and choosing of dry flies. Those who are not interested in such technical matters will nevertheless find this book just as compulsively readable, for the author’s Plain language is yet fine prose, relaxed in manner, and full of first-hand information The text is copiously illustrated with charming line drawings by Toni Goffe, each placed just where the reader needs it.

Completely devoid of false sentimentality, this book makes it dear why lan Niall hopes “to go on fishing until time is with me no more.”