Books, Collecting, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog

The Timeless Pleasure of Fishing Books

Posted on by Matt Daymond
05
Mar

Today is World Book Day, a celebration of the joy that books bring to our lives. While many of us spend much of our time in front of screens, today is a good reminder of the simple pleasure that comes from opening a book and getting lost in its pages.

With that in mind, we’re delighted to have recently expanded the book section at Thomas Turner.

Hundreds of titles have just been added, covering everything from classic angling literature and river memoirs to rare and collectible works. Many come from the remarkable Peter Wheat collection, and hundreds more are currently being catalogued and will be listed in the coming weeks.

A Stream of Life – Bernard Venables

A Stream of Life – Bernard Venables

£40.00
Freshwater Fishing – Bernard Venables – Signed

Freshwater Fishing – Bernard Venables – Signed

£45.00
The Angler’s Companion – Bernard Venables

The Angler’s Companion – Bernard Venables

£95.00
A Rise to the Fly – Bernard Venables

A Rise to the Fly – Bernard Venables

£25.00
The Angler’s Companion – Bernard Venables

The Angler’s Companion – Bernard Venables

£40.00
The Illustrated Memoirs of a Fisherman – Bernard Venables – Signed

The Illustrated Memoirs of a Fisherman – Bernard Venables – Signed

£95.00
Catch a Big Fish – David Carl Forbes – Signed by Peter Wheat

Catch a Big Fish – David Carl Forbes – Signed by Peter Wheat

£100.00
A Pleasure of Fishes – Bernard Venables

A Pleasure of Fishes – Bernard Venables

£35.00
Fisherman’s Testament – Bernard Venables

Fisherman’s Testament – Bernard Venables

£90.00
Monty Woodpig’s Caravan – BB (BB Society Edition 2013)

Monty Woodpig’s Caravan – BB (BB Society Edition 2013)

£50.00
Monty Woodpig Colour Illustrations – BB

Monty Woodpig Colour Illustrations – BB

£100.00
Monty Woodpig and His Bubblebuzz Car – BB (BB Society Edition 2013)

Monty Woodpig and His Bubblebuzz Car – BB (BB Society Edition 2013)

£50.00
A Dog Called Kim – Joy McDonald – Illustrated by BB (Denys Watkins-Pitchford)

A Dog Called Kim – Joy McDonald – Illustrated by BB (Denys Watkins-Pitchford)

£30.00
A Distant Cuckoo Calls: Poems 1950–2006 – Bill Humphreys – Signed

A Distant Cuckoo Calls: Poems 1950–2006 – Bill Humphreys – Signed

£50.00
The Fisherman’s Bedside Book – BB

The Fisherman’s Bedside Book – BB

£40.00
The Complete Angler’s Vade Mecum; Being a Perfect Code of Instruction… – Capt. T. Williamson

The Complete Angler’s Vade Mecum; Being a Perfect Code of Instruction… – Capt. T. Williamson

£1,000.00
British Angler’s Instructor (1856) – John Williamson

British Angler’s Instructor (1856) – John Williamson

£1,000.00
London Anglers' Association: The Anglers' Guide, Seasons 1935–36 and 1939–40

London Anglers’ Association: The Anglers’ Guide, Seasons 1935–36 and 1939–40

£150.00
The Angler’s Register – Francis Francis – Signed

The Angler’s Register – Francis Francis – Signed

£100.00
A Fishing Adventure. A Tale Without Words – Talberg

A Fishing Adventure. A Tale Without Words – Talberg

£1,000.00
The Angler’s Vade Mecum: Or, a Compendious Yet Full Discourse of Angling – James Chatham

The Angler’s Vade Mecum: Or, a Compendious Yet Full Discourse of Angling – James Chatham

£600.00
Angling with Luron / Angling with Luron 2 – Unknown

Angling with Luron / Angling with Luron 2 – Unknown

£20.00
Tanks: Their Place in Modern Warfare – Bernard Venables

Tanks: Their Place in Modern Warfare – Bernard Venables

£80.00
Fish and Fishing – Bernard Venables

Fish and Fishing – Bernard Venables

£25.00
Fish and Fishing – Bernard Venables

Fish and Fishing – Bernard Venables

£25.00
Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing: A Guide in Pictures to Fishing Around the Year – Bernard Venables – Signed

Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing: A Guide in Pictures to Fishing Around the Year – Bernard Venables – Signed

£100.00
Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing – Bernard Venables

Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing – Bernard Venables

£50.00
Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing: A Guide in Pictures to Fishing Around the Year – Bernard Venables – Signed

Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing: A Guide in Pictures to Fishing Around the Year – Bernard Venables – Signed

£100.00
Fishing for Trout with Mr Cherry and Jim – Bernard Venables

Fishing for Trout with Mr Cherry and Jim – Bernard Venables

£35.00
The Football Association Book for Boys – Unknown

The Football Association Book for Boys – Unknown

£20.00
Willow Pitch: A Celebration of Ten Years of the Little Egret Press

Willow Pitch: A Celebration of Ten Years of the Little Egret Press

£20.00
Stillwater Angling – Richard Walker

Stillwater Angling – Richard Walker

£30.00
The Life and Times of Bill Quinlan – Bob Buteux

The Life and Times of Bill Quinlan – Bob Buteux

£48.00
Dace: The Prince of the Stream – Dr Mark Everard

Dace: The Prince of the Stream – Dr Mark Everard

£18.00
Roach: The Gentle Giants – John Bailey

Roach: The Gentle Giants – John Bailey

£45.00
Barbel Mania – Andy Orme

Barbel Mania – Andy Orme

£25.00
Understanding Barbel – Fred Crouch – Signed

Understanding Barbel – Fred Crouch – Signed

£40.00
Magic Moments – Phil Smith & Stef Horak – Signed

Magic Moments – Phil Smith & Stef Horak – Signed

£38.00
Angling in British Art – W. Shaw Sparrow

Angling in British Art – W. Shaw Sparrow

£25.00
In Search of Big Fish – Frank Guttfield – Signed

In Search of Big Fish – Frank Guttfield – Signed

£60.00
The Fisherman’s Book – A. F. Sismore

The Fisherman’s Book – A. F. Sismore

£40.00
The Angler’s Bedside Book – Maurice Wiggin

The Angler’s Bedside Book – Maurice Wiggin

£15.00
The Spirit of the Pond – Tom O’Reilly – Signed

The Spirit of the Pond – Tom O’Reilly – Signed

£50.00
Success with Pike – Barrie Rickards

Success with Pike – Barrie Rickards

£20.00
Doomsday and Beyond: Memoirs of an Angling Historian – Fred Buller

Doomsday and Beyond: Memoirs of an Angling Historian – Fred Buller

£35.00
Trout of the Thames – A. Edward Hobbs

Trout of the Thames – A. Edward Hobbs

£25.00
Hampshire Avon Salmon – S. H. Crow

Hampshire Avon Salmon – S. H. Crow

£40.00
Nymph Fishing in Practice – Oliver Kite

Nymph Fishing in Practice – Oliver Kite

£30.00
The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

£60.00
Three Record Muskies in His Day: The Life and Times of Louie Spray – John Dettloff – Signed

Three Record Muskies in His Day: The Life and Times of Louie Spray – John Dettloff – Signed

£20.00
Memorable Coarse Fish – Faddist

Memorable Coarse Fish – Faddist

£20.00
The Nottingham Style of Float Fishing and Spinning – J. W. Martin

The Nottingham Style of Float Fishing and Spinning – J. W. Martin

£150.00
The Angler’s Instructor – William Bailey

The Angler’s Instructor – William Bailey

£100.00
Trout Fishing in America – Richard Brautigan

Trout Fishing in America – Richard Brautigan

£100.00
The Life and Fishing Lures of the Pork Rind King – Kevin Virden

The Life and Fishing Lures of the Pork Rind King – Kevin Virden

£90.00
Rod, Pole or Perch: A Field Guide to Anglers – Colin Willock

Rod, Pole or Perch: A Field Guide to Anglers – Colin Willock

£20.00
Be Quiet and Go A-Angling – Michael Traherne

Be Quiet and Go A-Angling – Michael Traherne

£150.00
Angling in the News – Ken Sutton

Angling in the News – Ken Sutton

£20.00
Faxton: The Lost Village – Bryan Holden – Signed

Faxton: The Lost Village – Bryan Holden – Signed

£20.00
Coarse Fishing – H. T. Sherringham

Coarse Fishing – H. T. Sherringham

£40.00
Izaak Walton and His Friends – Stapleton Martin

Izaak Walton and His Friends – Stapleton Martin

£30.00
Angling Experiences and Reminiscences – Richard Mason

Angling Experiences and Reminiscences – Richard Mason

£70.00
The Spirit of the Pond – Tom O’Reilly – Signed

The Spirit of the Pond – Tom O’Reilly – Signed

£50.00
Hook, Line & Spinner – Clive Gammon

Hook, Line & Spinner – Clive Gammon

£20.00
An Open Creel – H. T. Sherringham

An Open Creel – H. T. Sherringham

£75.00
Days and Nights of Salmon Fishing – William Scrope

Days and Nights of Salmon Fishing – William Scrope

£60.00
Piscatorial Society 1836–1936 – The Piscatorial Society

Piscatorial Society 1836–1936 – The Piscatorial Society

£150.00
The Fly Fishers’ Club 1884–1934 – The Fly Fishers’ Club

The Fly Fishers’ Club 1884–1934 – The Fly Fishers’ Club

£120.00
The Doomsday Book of Giant Salmon – Fred Buller

The Doomsday Book of Giant Salmon – Fred Buller

£40.00
Fishing Gossip or Stray Leaves from the Notebooks of Several Anglers – H. Cholmondeley-Penney

Fishing Gossip or Stray Leaves from the Notebooks of Several Anglers – H. Cholmondeley-Penney

£60.00
Angler’s El Dorado – Zane Grey

Angler’s El Dorado – Zane Grey

£20.00
My Fishing Days and Fishing Ways – J. W. Martin – Signed

My Fishing Days and Fishing Ways – J. W. Martin – Signed

£150.00
Fresh Woods – Ian Niall

Fresh Woods – Ian Niall

£25.00
An Angler’s Basket – T. E. Pritt

An Angler’s Basket – T. E. Pritt

£50.00
Hot Pot: Or Miscellaneous Papers – Francis Francis

Hot Pot: Or Miscellaneous Papers – Francis Francis

£70.00
Angling Reminiscences – Francis Francis

Angling Reminiscences – Francis Francis

£75.00
By Lake and River – Francis Francis

By Lake and River – Francis Francis

£45.00
The Old Country – Jack Hargreaves

The Old Country – Jack Hargreaves

£40.00
The Badminton Library: Fishing – H. Cholmondeley-Penney

The Badminton Library: Fishing – H. Cholmondeley-Penney

£20.00
The Angler’s Library: Coarse Fish – Charles H. Wheeley

The Angler’s Library: Coarse Fish – Charles H. Wheeley

£40.00
Fishing Tackle: A Practical Guide for the Angler and Fly Fisher – John Harrington Keene

Fishing Tackle: A Practical Guide for the Angler and Fly Fisher – John Harrington Keene

£80.00
The Angler’s Library: Pike and Perch – Alfred Jardine

The Angler’s Library: Pike and Perch – Alfred Jardine

£40.00
Waterside Sketches: A Book for Wanderers and Anglers – W. Senior

Waterside Sketches: A Book for Wanderers and Anglers – W. Senior

£90.00
Catch More Stillwater Trout – Bob Church – Signed

Catch More Stillwater Trout – Bob Church – Signed

£20.00
Allcocks Anglers Guide – Allcocks

Allcocks Anglers Guide – Allcocks

£25.00
The Compleat Angler – Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton

The Compleat Angler – Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton

£200.00
Fine Angling for Coarse Fish – Eric Parker

Fine Angling for Coarse Fish – Eric Parker

£55.00
The Trent Otter on Coarse Fish Angling – J. W. Martin – Signed

The Trent Otter on Coarse Fish Angling – J. W. Martin – Signed

£300.00
The Royal Tour 1901: The Cruise of HMS Ophir – Harry Price

The Royal Tour 1901: The Cruise of HMS Ophir – Harry Price

£25.00
Sportvissen – Unknown – Signed by Peter Wheat

Sportvissen – Unknown – Signed by Peter Wheat

£20.00
Bream and Barbel: An Angling Times Book – Peter Stone – Signed

Bream and Barbel: An Angling Times Book – Peter Stone – Signed

£30.00
Fish Tales – Edited by Tom Quinn

Fish Tales – Edited by Tom Quinn

£20.00
Jonah’s Dream – Sven Berlin

Jonah’s Dream – Sven Berlin

£25.00
Big Barbel: Bonded by the Challenge – Edited by Bob Church – Signed

Big Barbel: Bonded by the Challenge – Edited by Bob Church – Signed

£50.00
Hardy’s Anglers Guide: Coronation Number – Hardy

Hardy’s Anglers Guide: Coronation Number – Hardy

£50.00
Hardy’s the World’s Angling Specialists: Anglers Guide and Catalogue – Hardy

Hardy’s the World’s Angling Specialists: Anglers Guide and Catalogue – Hardy

£60.00
The Allcock Aerial: A Collector’s Guide – Bob Singleton

The Allcock Aerial: A Collector’s Guide – Bob Singleton

£120.00
Understanding Threadlines: A Collector’s Guide to Early Fixed-Spool Fishing Reels – John Stephenson – Signed

Understanding Threadlines: A Collector’s Guide to Early Fixed-Spool Fishing Reels – John Stephenson – Signed

£60.00
Hardy’s Super Bottom Fishing Tackle – Hardy

Hardy’s Super Bottom Fishing Tackle – Hardy

£40.00
Days Stolen for Sport – Philip Geen – Signed

Days Stolen for Sport – Philip Geen – Signed

£200.00

Angling literature has always held a special place in the sport. Long before blogs, forums, and YouTube tutorials, knowledge of rivers, flies, and seasons was passed down through beautifully written pages. Authors took the time to describe not only how to fish, but why we fish — the atmosphere of a misty morning, the sound of a reel singing, the slow rhythm of a river.

A good fishing book invites you to slow down. There are no pop-ups, no alerts, no endless scrolling — just the quiet act of turning a page.

Leafing through one feels almost like being beside the water itself. The pace is gentle. A chapter can be read by the fire after a long day, or in a quiet moment when the mind needs to drift away from the noise of everyday life.

Many of the finest angling books are works of art in their own right — thoughtfully written, beautifully illustrated, and often carrying the personality of the angler who wrote them.

In a world increasingly dominated by technology, the pleasure of a fishing book remains unchanged: a quiet companion, a source of wisdom, and sometimes the closest thing to standing beside the river when you can’t quite get there.

 

Matt Daymond