IN PURSUIT OF BIG TENCH. By Len Arbery.

1996 1st edition. 4to (195 x 252mm). Pp192. Colour and b/w photographs, illustrations by Paul Groombridge, bibliography. Green boards, spine titled in gilt.

"In this book, Len Arbery has put together thirty years' knowledge of tench fishing on every conceivable water type - canals, rivers and reservoirs as well as gravel pits and estate lakes - to provide a comprehensive guide to catching specimen tench. He looks at the habits and characteristics of the tench, then goes on to describe how to find the most promising places to fish, and offers sound advice on the most effective tackle and baits to use. Tried and trusted techniques for fishing all types of water and conditions are then discussed, before rounding off with intriguing accounts of some of the most memorable tench catches to date." Chapters include: Memorable big tench; Physiology of the tench; Location; Tackle; Bait and prebaiting; Techniques and methods; Estate lake fishing by Bill Quinlan; The quality dozen; The care of big fish; Tench for the memory. The final chapter, recalling memorable tench captures, has written contributions from Bob Buteux, Tony Arbery, Pete Jackson and Bill Quinlan as well as the author himself. It also tells the story of the capture of Gordon Beavan's British record tench. A good read as well as a useful instructional book. The foreword is by Peter Drennan.