OLD MAN RIVER: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRANK GUTTFIELD. Compiled by Fred Guttfield and Bruce Vaughan. Standard limited edition.

2020 1st edition. Large 8vo (176 x 248mm). Pp160. Colour and b/w photographs. Grey boards, spine and upper board titled in gilt, gilt fish motif on upper board. One of an edition limited to 600 numbered copies.

Frank Guttfield was a pioneering specimen hunter, angling author and photographer, well-known for his books, "In Search of Big Fish" and "The Big Fish Scene." An angler for over 65 years, this book features contributions from 23 of Frank's fishing friends from childhood right through to his final fishing trip, as well as the contents and a sample chapter from his unpublished memoirs. Chapters include: Childhood memories and early influences; Writing beginnings; "Naughty Boy" and trouble with cats and mice; Early Specimen Groups; Competitions of a different kind; Inventions and innovations; Photography; Red letter days, favourite swims and memorable catches; Bizarre bankside encounters; some stressful challenges; Nothing to shout about - the proverbial 'ones that got away'; Accidents, near misses and falling in again; Fish intelligence and stupidity; Record dreams smashed; Stuck in the mud and on a telegraph pole; Natural visitors (there are dozens of them); Chance in a million - you couldn't make it up; A contribution from my son Fred; Memories of friends departed; Fishing further afield; Interviews with Fred Buller and Peter Thomas. Contributions from: Mike Gale, Nigel Barrow, John Bailey, Phil Wakeford, Tim Goode, Bob Brookes, John Wilson MBE, John Everard, Stuart Brown, Mark McKeown, Chris Tarrant, Kevin Clifford, John Kelly, Bob Buteux, Pete Rogers, Stewart Allum, Len Arbery, Martin Salter, Nigel Witham, Charles Overton, and Jeff Woodhouse.