THE HISTORY OF THE WILTON FLY FISHING CLUB. By John Knott.

2013 1st edition. 8vo (165 x 240mm). Pp366. B/w photographs and illustrations, folding map at rear. Dark red boards, spine titled in silver-gilt. Edition limited to 200 copies, each with a numbered bookplate on front end-paper.

"This book recounts how this famous Club was formed in 1876 on the banks of the Kennet at Hungerford. It illustrates the Club's highs and lows and gives details of famous fishermen's exploits and the good relationships built up and battles fought with the local residents. In 1890 the Club moved to Wilton on the River Wylye where a second successful fishery was created. The Club struggled during the Great War and was almost destroyed in the Second World War when the river became a major defence line against a possible German invasion. Through hard work and innovation the Club not only survived, but prospered, to become one of today's top angling clubs, with a fantastic wild trout fishery." This first edition is limited to only 200 individually numbered cloth-bound copies. Chapters include: The birth of the club; The Hungerford years; The move to the Wylye; Early years on the Wylye; The golden years 1900 - 1914; The First World War and its aftermath; Between the wars 1925 - 1939; The Second World War and recovery; The Roughead and Paskin partnership; The veterans' Indian summer; Dredging and abstraction; Lady members, half rods and club dinners; Relations with the estate and others; The last of the veterans; Flies, fly dressings and fishing tackle; Changing times and glossy brochures; Into more modern times.