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The New Encyclopaedia of Fly Fishing by Conrad Voss Bark and Eric Restall

The New Encyclopaedia of Fly Fishing, by Conrad Voss Bark and Eric Restall, has just been re-issued in paperback for the first time by Robert Hale. It is an ideal reference book to keep in the loo, or by your bed, to be dipped into, as well as a book to discover the meaning of a particular term or some piece of information. It was first published in 1986 and was then revised and expanded in 1999.

The value of this book was brought home to me when reading Ian Moutter's fly tying book. On page 159 of his book, he refers to a tier who worked for Alex Martin's of Edinburgh and Glasgow and tied some of the first parachute flies and even pulling over a loop, paraloop style, whose name he had forgotten. According the Encyclopaedia it was one Helen Todd.

For the newcomer to the sport of fly fishing who wants to swot-up on its history and background, this book is an excellent place to start. There are plenty of references to other important and interesting books in many individual entries as well as an extensive bibliography, although it is described as only "selective". Some of the entries are too short to be of much help and, inevitably there are words that are missing - harling is one that comes to mind. In spite of a few shortcomings, this book is good value of £11.99.

The late Conrad Voss Bark was a former BBC parliamentary correspondent and fly fishing correspondent for The Times. He wrote a number of fishing books and his wife Anne still runs the Arundell Arms on the banks of the river Lyd in Devon. Eric Restall worked in book publishing and now teaches family history but only in the close season.

The New Encyclopaedia of Fly Fishing, by Conrad Voss Bark and Eric Restall. Published by Robert Hale Ltd, 288pp at £11.99.



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