CHRONICLES OF AN EEL ANGLER: THE SECOND BOOK OF EELS BY STEVE RICKETTS.

2015 1st edition. 8vo (158 x 235mm). Pp344. Colour and b/w photographs. Black boards, upper board and spine titled in gilt.

"Why strive to catch a monster when simply catching a big eel of, say, seven or eight pounds is beyond the realms of most eel anglers? Many will fish all their lives and never witness.. ..a fish of those proportions, let alone stand a chance of catching one. ..All the signs and portents that an eel fisherman looks for aligned themselves to extend me several prospects that I would have been stupid to ignore, so that's part of the reason I've rekindled this challenge. So, along with my New Year's resolution, and the stick I received about the first book, I have abandoned the boot-bashing and taken up a different tack. For the next few years, so long as the situation doesn't change, I will be attempting to track down something special. Location, rigs, bait and the general approach can all be regarded as similar, but will need some fine-tuning and a bit of beefing up. There are a few new methods I have employed to snare big fish, which have worked surprisingly well, with just a little thinking outside the box. Some go against the grain of traditional eeling, but success is only achieved through adaptability and others, well, they just take patience and that little bit of faith I'll keep talking about." Chapters include: Obsession; It's all about me. The search begins: A kick up the backside, Barry McConnell; Winter in April; Last season; Endeavour; The bones of a lake; Fame, Martin Bowler; Fatal attraction; Wrapping up the season. A mixed season: Not a smart move, David O'Sullivan; Pellet fishing again, Gary Newman; Super eight, Nick Duffy; A barbel and a boot; Night of the bream; Magnificent seven; A bracing end. Monsters of the deep: Port Talbot, Andrea O'Sullivan; Fifty minutes; Anniversary present; Return to the Coastals; Reefs; Does size matter?; Drawing to a close; That's all folks.