"The Secret Carp" by Chris Yates (reviewed by William)

Author and Angler, Chris Yates is renowned by many as living legend in the fishing world. He has to his name the 1980 capture of England's biggest carp at the time, it weighed 51½lb, as was caught from the legendary Redmire pool, a small enchanted lake deep in the English country side stepped in myth and history.

But he has also penned some of anglings finest litterateur, including "Casting at the Sun" "The Deepening Pool" and "Falling In Again" to name but a few.

He's given his life to the pursuit of catching large fish, and then thru he's writing skills convey to anglers and non-anglers alike the true magic and beauty of this wonderful past time.

The Secret Carp is regarded as one of finest angling books ever written, it's extremely masterful and witty. As well as taking you on a thought evoking journey, as we follow Mr Yates thru his early dreams as young boy fishing in the village pond, to him racing thru the English country side on his motorcycle in pursuit of monster carp.

But Chris Yates is not only looking for the fish, the lake and its surroundings have to also be in tune with the very essence of the carp, not just any muddy hole will do, but beautiful overgrown estate lakes set in forgotten gardens of ancient stately homes, or small pools hidden away deep in country side, gin clear water covered with beds of water lily's, walls of reed mace.

Even the smell is important, he describes the scents and perfumes of the English countryside so well you're almost taken there.

In fact the book seems to have an almost endless charm, I've now read it maybe three or four times, each time I learn something new, or feel something new.

There are small, yet wonderfully hand drawn illustrations thru out the book, Charming chapter titles, and tempo that holds you. I even found myself having to slow down and not risk reading this book to fast.

To sum up this fine piece of literature, I would say it's a modern day classic, and true joy to read regardless of whether you're an avid angler or have never wet a line in your life.

The audio tape - addition by Henrik

The secret carp is also available, read by the Mr. Yates himself, as an audio book. He reads the book with feeling and adds an extra dimension to the text. Perfect if you feel stressed - as the slow pace of the book can soothe anyone! I have had the tape in my car for years now, and have listened to it innumerable times (and will, most likely, listen to it many times yet). Highly recommended.