THE COMPLETE SALMON FISHER: VOLUME ONE. THE LIFE OF THE SALMON.

1996 1st edition. 8vo (162 x 230mm). Ppiv,224. B/w photographs, illustrations and tables, pictorial end-papers. Blue boards, spine titled in gilt.

"The Atlantic salmon that has just run into freshwater from the sea is the most perfect of fish. ...For the angler it is the ultimate prize: it does not feed in freshwater and is thus difficult to hook, and even when hooked is not easy to land. ...There is no doubt, ...that the angler who understands the salmon well will catch it in greater numbers." Malcolm Greenhalgh gives the interested reader a solid account of the salmon's life history, biology and current conservation status. Chapters include: Classification of the Salmonidae; Evolution; Genetic studies; Salmon - the leaper; Anatomy; Distribution; Mating and the production of eggs; From egg to smolt; Life at sea; Return from the sea - homing; Return to the river and the first upstream run; Preparing for spawning; Moving by night or day; What is a grisle?; Scale reading; Growth; Salmon runs and sea ages; Fluctuations in the runs of grilse and salmon; The timing of runs; Big salmon and big bags of big salmon; Why a salmon takes a fly or bait; Fly fishing; Salmon taking times; Reasons and excuses for not catching fish; Why some times are better than others; Where salmon lie; River lies; Lake lies; Natural mortality; Mortality caused directly by man; Fishing; Salmon fishing and ranching; The state of salmon populations; Fluctuating populations; Conservation measures and the future of salmon stocks; Personal angling behaviour.