THE FISHING DETECTIVE: A NEW APPROACH TO COARSE ANGLING. By John Bailey.

(1994) 1996 paperback edition. 4to paperback (187 x 260mm). Pp192. Colour photographs by the author and illustrations by Paul Groombridge.

An approach to coarse fishing through studying fish behaviour. Certainly one of John Bailey's better instructional books and most definitely of use to the beginner. Many other books get too involved in the discussion of baits and rigs rather than the most important aspect of any fishing session - finding the fish. In this book Bailey does a good job of teaching the angler where to start looking. Sections include: Witness; Carp Detection; The spawning carp; Carp on the surface; Carp on the bottom; Carp in sanctuary; Winter carp; Barbel detection; The feeding barbel; Wye investigation; Barbel fortnight; Barbel holes; Two barbel case studies; Predator detection; The feeding pike; Handling pike; An unknown lake; A double attack; Extraordinary detection; The cat's whiskers; Detection in rivers; View from a bridge; Wising up; Roach rhythms; A bridge strategy; The wary dace; Detection in stillwaters; Stillwater case studies; The day of the tench; Thinking it out; A question of wind; The feeding bream; The watcher.