- Table View
- List View
A Countryman's Creel: The Remarkable, the Heart-rending, the Intriguing, the Almost Unbelievable Short Stories of Conor Farrington
by Conor FarringtonA guest at a Scottish country estate is not all he seems; a solicitor with an addiction to point-to-point racing encounters a run of disastrous luck – but why is his close friend so pleased? A flyfisherman meets the disoriented Lady Anstey in a downpour and is drawn into a threatened world; and keen wildfowler Hugh McParland is enjoying his sport on the Norfolk coast when he joins a stranger on a pleasure boat and is embroiled in a game of high stakes. Here is a collection of 12 wonderful country-sports bedside stories by a talented new writer. Recalling the spirit of the great ripping yarns of such writers as John Buchan and Rider Haggard, this book is designed to entertain all those interested in the great outdoors and in reading stirring and entertaining short stories. A Countryman’s Creel explores the British countryside in settings ranging from the Edwardian to the present day, exploring themes of enduring relevance for today.
The Pocket Guide to Matching the Hatch
by Peter Lapsley Dr Cyril BennettThis compact, little pocket book – the first ever to feature the natural insect next to its matching artificial fly – arms the angler with all the information he needs to select the right fly from his flybox. • Superb photographs of aquatic insects (larvae, pupae, adults) with the artificial flies positioned alongside them • Times of hatching • The geographical distribution • Whether it is a river fly or a lake fly, or both • Life cycles of the insects • Clues from the river and from the trout’s behaviour Peter Lapsley contributes regularly to Flyfishing & Flytying and is author of several fishing books. He is a qualified national game angling instructor. Dr Cyril Bennett is one of the UK’s leading entomologists, specialising in river insects. His photographs of insects – some never before captured on camera – add a unique element to this book.
The Poacher's Handbook
by Ian NiallIan Niall wrote this masterpiece of country lore to retain the thrill of crossing the hills in the moonlight and of creeping up the woodside at dusk. He said, 'This book is about poaching in the old traditional style, the craft of men who knew and loved the countryside and invoked the unorthodox skills rather than the crude use of modern science to catch their game, which they took sparingly, as they needed it.' From the Poacher's Handbook you will learn how to retrieve a ferret from a deep burrow and how to train a dog, as well as the cunning ways of gamekeepers and the meaning in the changing flight of a loan pigeon. You are advised to walk softly and to listen long, when to run and when to stand still, the thing to do in the black hat of night and the way to read a flushed magpie and the laugh of the jay. Poet, countryman and scholar, Bernard O'Donaghue, wrote a foreword to this celebrated country classic which will delight a new generation of country lovers and collectors alike. The Poacher's Handbook was first published in 1950. Hailed as 'the outstanding of nature books', it was an immediate bestseller and achieved no less than 14 editions before being republished in 1960 as The New Poacher's Handbook but without Barbara Greg's wood engravings. Since then there have been two separate paperback editions and total sales of over 100,000. This edition is a re-issue of the original format and includes Barbara Greg's highly-acclaimed wood engravings.
The Beginner's Guide to Flytying
by Chris Mann Terry GriffithsThis book uses the latest techniques in computer-generated drawings to show the reader exactly how to create an artificial fly, step-by-step. Clearer than photography, more life-like than drawings, the graphic instructions show, by subtle emphasis and exaggeration, precisely what to do. Included are all the basic techniques for applying thread, feather and fur to the hook, and more sophisticated methods such as parachute hackling, using the dubbing loop and hairwinging. 12 key trout patterns demonstrate the most important flytying techniques. Black Ghost (ribbing & hairwing) Woolly Bugger (palmered hackle dressing) Duck's Dun (cul de canard dressing) Gray Wulff (bucktail dry fly technique) Elk Hair Caddis (dubbing & hairwing) Parachute Emerger (parachute dressing) Ginger Quill (wet fly wings and throat hackle) Black Pennell (wet hackling) Goldhead Hare's Ear (weighted goldhead & natural dubbing) Montana Nymph (nymph hackling, marabou tails) Pheasant Tail Nymph (pheasant tail fibers & copper wire) Shrimp/Scud (wire weighting & synthentic dubbing)
Nymphing - the new way: French leader fishing for trout
by Jonathan WhiteFrench nymphing, or European nymphing as it is often known in the US, is the most important new development in flyfishing for a generation. The use of ultra-long tapered French leaders provides huge advantages both in terms of reducing drag and dramatically improving fly presentation. These methods, which have already revolutionised the world of competition flyfishing, are now also proving themselves to be a game-changer for the recreational fisherman.This is the first book to explain all branches of French leader technique:• sight nymphing• short and long-range indicator nymphing• dry fly• fishing for grayling, carp and steelhead• masterclasses from leading expertsCody Burgdorff (USA) Julien Daguillanes (France)Stanislav Mankov (Bulgaria)• tips for fishing in all types of river and clear stillwaters in the UK, Continental Europe, the USA and the Southern Hemisphere. Use of the French leader has led to the French national team becoming the most successful team at the World Championships in recent years, winning 7 Gold, 7 Silver and 7 Bronze medals.As opportunities to catch trout on a dry fly have become less frequent and of shorter duration, the use of modern nymphing techniques can often make the difference between a successful fishing trip and not catching fish at all.
GT: A Flyfisher's Guide to Giant Trevally
by Peter McLeodCatching a giant trevally (or ‘GT’) on a fly rod is the pinnacle of flats fishing: highly challenging, requiring skill, preparation and courage. This is the first comprehensive guide to giant trevally fishing on the fly.The giant trevally is an apex predator, and the way it operates is nothing less than brutal. These ‘gangsters of the flats’ are like packs of hoodlums marauding across the atolls and shallow estuaries. Hunting for trevally in the harsh environment they inhabit needs a certain resolve. The flyfisher’s first encounter with a giant trevally will be an electrifying experience. A GT can destroy tackle and ego, leaving all in its wake. But once you’ve caught one, GT flyfishing is an experience that any angler will want to repeat.• How to catch them• Tackle and equipment• Which flies to use• Winning tactics• Best destinations including: Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius, Australia, South Africa, Oman, Mozambique, Sudan and many more.
Trout from a Boat: Tips, Techniques and Experiences
by Dennis MossThis is a book for boat-flyfishers: those who spend time afloat in pursuit of trout, who know how difficult and frustrating the sport can be – but also how thrilling and rewarding.Few trout anglers have fished as widely as Dennis Moss, and fewer still have his ability to convey the skills of boatfishing with such insight and passion.He tells of his experiments with a new kind of improved drogue, of the breakthrough of the intermediate flyline, his discoveries about hook strengths and he shares his all-time favourite stillwater flies.This book will tell you a great deal about the craft of boatfishing and, as you learn, you will be taken to some fabulous locations and on some thrilling trips.This fully revised and updated edition includes new material on summer caenis fishing, dry fly techniques and latest leader compositions.
England's Last Glory
by David MillerIn a wonderfully nostalgic book, David Miller recaptures the heady days of summer 1966 when England won the World Cup in front of their own euphoric fans. Nearly fifty years on, he evokes the eager anticipation with which Britain awaited the arrival of the world's best footballers; how the England team and its tactics took shape in the run up to the competition; the new 'wingless' formation and the widespread criticism from the press and the public. This general pessimism gave way to mass adulation as England vindicated the revolutionary tactics of manager Alf Ramsey. The book includes profiles of the England players and their manager and assesses the major competition from Europe and South America. It details the progress of the team, their injuries and controversies, through to the sensational final against West Germany. Enriched with archive photographs and personal recollections from the players themselves, Miller reveals how Ramsey's triumph changed the world game.
Mensch: Beyond the Cones
by Jonathan HardingGermany has a reputation for being the place where young footballers get the chance to develop, but what about coaches? Speaking to different coaches and members of staff across the country, Mensch outlines the attributes that make the German system special. With a detailed breakdown of the academy, conversations with some of the top coaches in the game and insights into the German coaching community, this is why their coaches are so in demand, why the system creates so much talent, and what the next step is for German coaching
50 Knots You Need to Know: Learn 50 knots for sailing, climbing, camping, and more
by Marty AllenEssential rope-and-string tying advice for the nerdily inclined. Includes two lengths of rope to help you practice tying knots. Attention all nerds, put down that laptop and pick up this brilliant guide to tying 50 must-know knots. If you're unaware of the difference between a Cow Hitch and a Marlinspike Hoop or a Running Bowline and a Square Lashing, all will be revealed in "50 Knots You Need to Know." Packed with step-by-step instructions, discover how to tie knots to get you through any situation, whether it's nautical knots for sailing adventures or shanks and hitches for camping or climbing weekends. You will learn simple knot-making techniques that can be used for all your nerdly pursuits. And once you've graduated from the easy stuff you can move on to the more serious examples, such as a make-shift rope halter to you can use to tame a wild beast or strong knots for securing and tying things together. Also included are a couple of pieces of rope, so you can start tying knows right away. But be warned, it's VERY addictive!
Cycle London: 22 routes to help you experience the best this famous city has to offer
by Dominic BlissA collection of 20 rides featuring all of London’s must-visit attractions. 'London is one of the world’s most celebrated cities, and there’s no better way to see some of the best the city has to offer than by bike. Cycle London has 20 unique routes designed to help you make the most out of this iconic city. Each ride is built around a theme, whether it’s the best art galleries to see some incredible works, great markets to treat yourself to some eclectic purchases, routes that include some of the tastiest food, or rides covering many of the city’s most famous and picturesque parks. There’s even a ride that will take someone who only has 12 hours in the city to all the iconic attractions you will have seen in films and books. Every ride comes with a map to help you get your bearings, as well as links to detailed maps that can be downloaded to smartphones to make sure you know exactly where you’re going when on the move. The routes can be adapted to suit your requirements, so if you’re a keen culture vulture who wants to take in a good sample of some of the best museums in a day you can, but if you just fancy visiting just two you can pick up the route wherever you fancy. There are shorter rides for those who want to spend more time seeing the sites from the inside than the outside, as well as longer rides that mean the majority of your day will be spent taking in the city from a two-wheeled perspective. Also included are interesting asides, insider tips from the locals, and stories designed to help you make the most of your visit, as well as practical advice on what to expect from cycling on London’s famous streets.
Fix Your Bike
by Jackie Strachan Jane MoseleyEveryone's cycling nowdays. City streets are thronged with cyclists on the latest cool bikes, and more and more of us are cycling for fun at the weekends. You may love to cruise the streets and lanes with the wind in your hair, but would you be able to fix your bike if it let you down?
Football's Strangest Matches: Extraordinary But True Stories From Over A Century Of Football (Strangest Ser.)
by Andrew Ward‘It’s a funny old game.’ The world’s favourite sport has certainly given us its fair share of strange moments, and this absorbing collection gathers together the best of them, from more than a century of the beautiful game. From Blackburn Rovers’ one-man team to Wilfred Minter’s seven-goal haul in which he still ended up on the losing side, here are goals and gaffes galore drawn from all levels of the footballing world, whether high-profile internationals or the lowest tiers of domestic football. The stories in this book are bizarre, fascinating, hilarious, and, most importantly, true. Revised, redesigned and updated for a new generation of football fanatics, this book is the perfect gift for the soccer obsessive in your life. Word count: 45,000 words
Rugby's Strangest Matches (Strangest Ser.)
by John GriffithsRugby fans will delight in this astonishing collection of outlandish stories from the past 150 years of the game. Here you’ll find, among many other curious events, the Irish international who arranged his marriage in order to play against England, the team of top soccer players who beat their rugby counterparts at their own game, the day the entire Wales team was sent off, and when in an astonishing turn of events underdog Japan trimphed and beat South Africa (and who doesn't love an underdog). The tales in this book are bizarre, fascinating, and, most importantly, true. Revised, redesigned and updated for 2016, this book makes the perfect gift for the rugby obsessive in your life. Word count: 45,000
Cricket's Strangest Matches: Extraordinary But True Stories From Over A Century Of Cricket (Strangest Ser.)
by Andrew WardCricket’s Strangest Tales is a fascinating collection of cricketing weirdness – and there’s a lot of it to choose from! Within these pages you’ll find a game that was played on ice, meet a plague of flying ants who failed to dampen players’ enthusiasm, and examples of the grand old tradition of one-armed teams versus one-legged teams. The stories in this book are bizarre, fascinating, hilarious, and, most importantly, true. Fully revised, redesigned and updated with a selection of new material for 2016, this book is the perfect gift for the cricket fanatic in your life. Word count: 45,000 words
Golf's Strangest Rounds: Extraordinary But True Stories From Over A Century Of Golf (Strangest Ser.)
by Andrew Ward‘The most eccentric golf book ever’ Sports and Leisure Magazine
Running's Strangest Tales
by Iain SpraggRunning’s Strangest Tales is a fascinating collection of weird and wonderful stories from the world of running, from the earliest marathon to today’s high-tech, apped-up approach. Within these pages you’ll find the bizarre story of the Norwegian footballer forced to miss a crucial World Cup qualifier after colliding with a moose on his morning jog, the American ultra-marathoner who had all his toenails removed to improve his running, and why some runners at the 2015 Tokyo marathon were wearing GPS-enabled, edible bananas, complete with LEDs and incoming Twitter updates. Packed with tales that are so odd you’ll hardly believe them, this book makes the perfect gift for all running enthusiasts, from the seasoned marathoner to the park jogger, and those who only ever run a bath. Word count: 45,000
Tennis's Strangest Matches: Extraordinary But True Stories From Over A Century Of Tennis (Strangest Ser.)
by Peter SeddonIn this hugely entertaining collection of stories taken from over a hundred years of world tennis history, award-winning sports historian Peter Seddon has gathered together the most extraordinary events ever to occur on a tennis court. They include the Wimbledon final between the tea-drinking vicar and a convicted murderer, and the ‘Match of the Century’ between the ‘Women’s Libber’ and the ‘Male Chauvinist Pig’. There are matches played on board ship and on the wings of an airborne plane, a game played in full regimental dress, and meet the player who rated himself so highly he played an entire match while carrying someone ‘piggy-back’. The stories in this book are bizarre, fascinating, hilarious, and, most importantly, true. Revised, redesigned and updated for a new generation of tennis fanatics, this book is a unique look at the curiosities of an endlessly popular sport, revealing the ‘strawberries and cream’ game as you’ve never seen it before. Word count: 45,000
Motor Racing's Strangest Races (Strangest Ser.)
by Geoff TibballsSince 1894, when motor racing’s colourful history began with a bang (and a banger!), drivers, racers and lunatics alike have done many stupid and bizarre things all in the name of motor sport. Author Geoff Tibballs has gathered together this absorbing collection of stories from over a century of motor racing around the world, including the Frenchman who drove 25 miles in reverse, the Grand Prix in which the leading drivers were so far ahead that they stopped for a meal in the pits, the Le Mans 24-hour race won by a car patched up with chewing gum, and the driver who drank six bottles of champagne – virtually one per pit-stop – on the way to winning the Indianapolis 500. The stories in this book are bizarre, fascinating, hilarious, and, most importantly, true. Revised, redesigned and updated for a new generation of petrolheads, this book contains enough extraordinary-but-true tales to drive anyone around the bend. Word count: 45,000
The Splendid Book of the Bicycle
by Daniel TatarskyCycling is hugely popular nowadays. Since 2003 more than 100 million bikes have been produced each year, more than twice the amount of cars. And in 2011, more than 741,000 people cycled to work, an increase of 90,000 from 2001.
Sailing's Strangest Tales: Extraordinary But True Stories From Over Nine Hundred Years Of Sailing
by John HardingThis fascinating collection of entertaining stories from the seven seas reveals unusual and bizarre sailing trips, vessels and characters, and recounts perilous journeys in freak weather and other legendary tales.
Horse Racing's Strangest Tales
by Andrew WardExtraordinary but true stories from over 150 years of racing. This hilarious, sideways look at horse racing vividly recounts many of the strangest moments and oddest incidents from over 150 years of the sport's history.
Fishing's Strangest Tales
by Tom QuinnExtraordinary but true stories from over two hundred years of angling history.
Cycling's Strangest Tales
by Iain SpraggExtraordinary but true stories from 200 years of cycling history.
Mr Shankly’s Photograph: A Journey From The Kop To The Cavern
by Stephen KellyThe story of one young lad's journey into adulthood, inspired by a man who was to become an icon.