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Books by John Bailey

John Fishing
For an Angling Travel Colour Brochure, advice, or booking
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Travel and General Fishing
Perfect Series
Specific fish ...
Historical & miscellaneous

Trout at 10,000 feet Trout at 10,000 feet - Reflections of a passionate fisherman - John Bailey

Publ. New Holland 2001  Hbk £12.99   ISBN 1 85974 889 9

An original and very personal collection of stories by John Bailey about his love of fish and the pleasures of fishing. His extraordinary adventures have taken him to some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. This exciting and often humorous book brilliantly captures the majical, mysterious and addictive nature of fishing, as well as introducing us to a motley collection of characters from around the globe.

The following review was in "The Independent on Sunday", 30th October 2001 ...

John Bailey lives the angler's dream. While others scrimp to pay for mortgages, school fees, water rates and all the paraphernalia of staying afloat, Bailey drifts along, mercifully unencumbered by life's baggage.

He fishes when and where he wants, then makes money by writing about doing what he enjoys. Those who have to mow lawns or clean the attic before snatching a few hours on a river bank tend to condemn this butterfly lifestyle. Anyone having that much fun must be a parasite, a dolt or a scoundrel, they reason bitterly.

Bailey is none of these. He is one of those rare people who doesn't need to be surrounded with reassurances of his own importance. He lives in a rented cottage in Norfolk. He probably doesn't even own copies of the 30 or so books he's written. Excellent though most of them are, they are merely his means to explore distant places where big or exotic fish might live.

This makes him sound a bit of a loony. He isn't. He is an excellent raconteur, generous with time and money and a terrific angler. He runs trips for fishermen to places such as Mongolia, Sweden and Greenland and his prime efforts are ensuring that others catch fish, though he must be itching to grab the rod and show them how.

Still, this is all the stuff of great campside stories, and that's precisely what his latest book, Trout at Ten thousand Feet, consists of. Until now, Bailey has given only tantalising glimpses of what a fine writer he can be. He's a superb photographer, and it's as if previously he's been letting his camera do the hard work Instead, in his new book there are only line drawings. Words become pictures. The result is the best thing he's ever written.

His text sparkles like a Kashmir trout river. It helps that his excursions get him tangled in events that most only dream, or maybe have nightmares, about. Murder, rape, smugglers, prostitutes, plane crashes, head-hunters, tigers, bears, wolves, floods: he's got some pretty good subject matter to work with. But he tells it so well.

There's a lot more philosophising than you usually find in a Bailey book....

"Even though I might be seen as pathetic, liberal, bourgeois and self-serving, [he muses,] I do know this: a ghillie in Ireland, a river watcher in Kashmir, a water bailiff in Yugoslavia cares more for the safety of his family, the prosperity of his village and the fatness of his trout than he does for a thousand pronouncements by politicians. The only sharp steel he likes to feel is the tip of a fishing hook The only army officer he wants to meet is retired or off-duty with a rod and not a rifle in his hand."

This book makes you want to pack up and go there at once. But you might think twice. His stories are not sanitised. Maybe it's better to leave it to the bold of heart, those like Bailey who think one glimpse of a seagoing taimen is worth all the pain, discomfort, danger and possible death.

Fishing Lines, floods, tigers, smugglers and the odd trout
Tales from the Riverbank - John Bailey

Publ. BBC, £17.99  Hbk  1997, ISBN 0 563 38798 X

Fishing stories to accompany the award-winning BBC series of fishing programmes. John shows how a greater understanding of the behaviour and biological makeup of different types of fish can make you a more successful and intuitive angler. This book will inspire both the would-be and practicing angler.

Tales from the Riverban
Travels with a Two-Piece Travels with a Two-Piece - John Bailey

Publ. Crowood Press 1985 Hbk £9.95  ISBN 0 946284 27 X

A collection of fishing writings as John travelled around Britain with an ancient two-piece fly fishing rod. The rod, made in the early 1900's from split cane, proved to be as good as catching fish as its modern successors. John relates his many efforts (not always successful) to outwit the most cunning river trout and grayling. Encyclopaedic in its richness, this book is about wild trout, sea trout, grayling, seals, badgers, otters, herons, fishermen, river keepers, and - above all - one mans struggle with his sport.

Fish eye Fishing - John Bailey

Publ. Dorling Kindersley - OUT SOON!

See what the fish sees and transform your ways of fishing - based on underwater photography by John Bailey.

Fish eye Fishing
John Baileys Freshwater Fishing Album John Baileys Freshwater Fishing Album - John Bailey

Publ. Dorling Kindersley 1998  Hbk  £19.99 ISBN 0 7513 0543 X

A new approach for the freshwater angler, based on a better understanding and knowledge of fish. Internationally reknowned Author and television presenter, John Bailey shows how to trade over-emphasis on tackle for insight into the lives of fish and their fascinating habits. Authoritative profiles of every major freshwater fish, linked to clear authoritative explanations of the tackle and techniques which will enable you to catch them.

The Young Angler A young enthusiasts guide to angling - John Bailey

Publ. Dorling Kindersley 1999 Hbk £7.99 ISBN 1 7513 5562 3

Using step-by-step photography, John explains how to cast, choose flies, and most importantly, play and land a catch; before returning it to the water unharmed. Practical advice on all aspects of fishing make this book a must for every young angler.

The Young Angler
An Anglers Album From Water to Net - An Anglers Album - John Bailey

Publ. David & Charles 1991  Hbk  £16.99 ISBN 0 7153 9468 1

A collection of anecdotes and detailed descriptions of every aspect of Coarse Angling. The authors love of the sport comes through strongly in this superb book, which will both thrill and inspire every coarse angler.

Carp Challenge - John Bailey

Publ. The Crowood Press 1994 Hbk £17.95 ISBN 1 85223 789 9

Carp are big, beautiful, hard fighting, and intelligent - making them all the more difficult to catch, and greatly sought after by all coarse fishermen. The landing of any carp should be seen as an achievement, and to capture a particularly wary fish is a truly remarkable event. Over forty experiences tell of the waters, the fish, the problems encountered, and the solutions found. Some of the carp are famous, some are secret, but all have taxed the skill and nerve of their pursuers to the limit.

Carp Challenge
Carp - the quest for the queen Carp - the quest for the queen - - John Bailey & Martyn Page

Publ. Crowood Press 1986 Hbk £15.95 ISBN 0 946284 19 9

Containing contributions form over 20 leading authorities on carp fishing, this book ranges across the whole spectrum of carp, from small estate lakes through to the larger waters of Britain and Europe. This book evokes the majesty and charisma of our most wary and long-lived fish, with many stories of seasons spent in pursuit of large and famous individual fish. An important book for all carp anglers - everywhere.

Casting Far & Wide - Great Angling Adventures of the World - Compiled by John Bailey

Publ. David & Charles1993  Hbk £17.99 ISBN 0 7153 9959 4

John here gathers together a unique team who recount some thrilling fishing adventures from Canada, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. A book to enthrall the armchair and practicing angler alike.

Casting Far & Wide
Casting for Gold Casting for Gold - John Bailey

Publ. The Crowood Press 1991  Hbk  £15.95  ISBN 1 85223 453 9

The record of two years fishing in wild exotic places for equally wild, exotic and often rare fish. Ferox fishing in the Scottish Highlands and Western Ireland, wild carp in Europe and the Balkans, and a hunt in the Hymalayas for the legendary Mahseer - the biggest freshwater fish in the world. This book offers much information and advice, and is for inspiration and for dreaming of big fish an dplaces far away.

Chub & Dace - John Bailey & Roger Miller

Publ. The Crowood Press 1990  Hbk £13.95  ISBN 1 85223 243 9

John, Roger an dsix other top anglers have combined to produce this comprehensive account of chub and dace angling. Together they recount the joys and sorrows, the exhilarations and frustrations of fishing for chub and dace on rivers throughout Great Britain. Sound practical advice, and great entertainment.

Chub & Dace
Book Cover Fishermans Valley - Seasonal Tips for Coarse Anglers - John Bailey

Publ. David & Charles  1992  Hbk  £16.99 ISBN 0 7153 9934 9

A fascinating introduction to a network of lakes, rivers, streams and gravel pits in rural England, telling the story of a years fishing. A book for the angler / naturalist, exploring the natural history of the seasons, the land, the waters, and advanced fishing techniques.

Perfect Your Float Fishing - John Bailey Perfect Your Float Fishing
Perfect your Baits Perfect your Baits - John Bailey
Perfect your Tackle - John Bailey Perfect your Tackle
In Visible Waters In Visible Waters - John Bailey

Publ. The Crowood Press 1984 Hbk  £9.95 ISBN 0 946284 80 6

In Visible Waters is a unique work. In it, John describes the often long vigils he has spent at the waterside, and the insight he has gained into the lives and behaviour of coarse fish - Barbel, Bream, Carps, Chub, Dace, Eeels, Perch, Pike, Roach, Rudd, and Tench. This book is not just another account of how to fish, but a personal appreciation of the waterside, enriched by long experience

In Wild Waters - John Bailey In Wild Waters
The Master Angler The Master Angler - Coarse Fishing Season by Season - John Bailey

Publ. Collins Willow 1997 Hbk  £14.99 ISBN 0 00 218734 5

Here at last is a book of refreshing simplicity that atrips away all the complicated jargon associated with the modern angling world, and takes the reader back to the fundamentals of the sport. Exploring five common water types - lakes, pits, large rivers, small rivers and canals - during each season of the year, and inspiring anglers of all abilities to approach the waterside with new eyes, new understanding and new ambitions. Taking the reader to the heart of the sport, it provides a clear understanding of how fish think and behave.

Perch - Contemporary days and ways - - John Bailey & Roger Miller

Publ. Crowood Press 1989  Hbk £12.95  ISBN 1 85223 121 1

Devastated by disease in the 1970's, perch are gradually recolonising their former waters. John and Roger have combined to produce this first major study of perch.

Perch
Pike - the predator becomes the prey Pike - the predator becomes the prey - - John Bailey & Martyn Page

Publ. Crowood Press, 1985  Hbk  £14.95  ISBN 0 946284 47 4

John and Martyn have collaborated with over 20 of Britains top pike anglers to give an expert view right across the spectrum of modern pike fishing. Essential reference for even the most experienced pike fisherman.

Roach - the gentle giants - John Bailey

Publ. Crowood Press, 1987  Hbk  £10.95  ISBN 1 85223 035 5

A comprehensive study of the techniques of todays roach specialists in both rivers and stillwaters. Standard methods and exciting modern developments are explored, drawing on the intimate knowledge of a wide range of local experts. The book ranges from the great days at Hornsea Mere at the turn of the century to the exciting fishing now found in the stillwaters throughout Britain.

Roach - the gentle giants
Salmon Fishing - in search of Silver Salmon Fishing - in search of Silver John Bailey

Publ. Crowood Press 1994  Hbk £17.95 ISBN 1 85223 790 2

Straightforward instructions for any fisherman starting to fish salmon, including a detailed account of the lifecycle of the salmon, advice on the best tackle, and where to find the best fishing in Britain, and Worldwide.

Stillwater Trout Fishing John Bailey

Publ. Crowood Press 1995  Hbk £19.95 ISBN 1 85223 860 7

This is a book built on the experience of the Author, who has fished for stillwater trout for over thirty years. It also draws on the knowledge of over twenty other experienced anglers who offer specialised information on their own particular area of expertise. All the issues are treated in a straightforward way, and the newcomer will feel instantly at home, finding guidance which will help when faced with baffling challenges of the waterside. A book for the fisherman whio wants to learn, who seeks inspiration, as well as information, and who realises that there are very many challenges waiting fo rthe angler and his fly rod.

Stillwater Trout Fishing
Fish of the Summer Stillwaters Fish of the Summer Stillwaters - John Bailey

Publ. Crowood Press 1991  Hbk £14.95 ISBN 1 85223 403 2

Here, John Bailey along with the help of four other top anglers recouints a sleection of tales about fishing on stillwaters which makes compulsive reading. John concentrates on the less sought-after species, such as eels, ridd, catfish and wild carp. The book is full of anecdotes of both lazy summer days and practical information on catching over ten different species of fish. Above all, John and his co-writers convey their love of the countryside and their infectious enthusiasm for a way of life which is fishing.

Mossymere - John Bailey

A sensual love story - Johns first novel

Mossymere
The Great Anglers The Great Anglers - John Bailey

Publ. David & Charles 1990  Hbk  £17.99  ISBN 0 7153 9435 5

What makes an angler truly great?  What differentiates the great from the very good, and why are some anglers much more successful than others? In this ambitious and fascinating book, John gives the reader a rare insight into the world of great freshwater anglers from Izaac Walton to the present day.

Tales from the Country Estates - John Bailey

Stories told by servants and gamekeepers from the great country estates of Britain - personal anecdotes about life  "below stairs"

Tales from the Country Estates
Rivers of Joy Rivers of Joy - Paintings by Shirley Deterding, and text by John Bailey

Publ. Creel Publishing 1992  Hbk  £19.95  ISBN 0 873944 02 0

A gallery of lavishly produced paintings and narratives, celebrating the waterscapes of Britain and the World


Fly-fishing vacations

Last updated
29th May 2007

Angling Travel
Mayfaire
Slad Valley, Near Painswick
Gloucestershire GL6 7QD
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