You might have noticed that we’ve published a new book – a companion for the TV series – and you might be wondering what it’s all about. You can read some of the reviews here if you’re interested, and below you’ll find answers to your FAQs.
1/ Who wrote the book?
The book is written by John Bailey. Rob Olsen wrote and illustrated the comic strips as well as the rest of the illustrations. The book also contains contributions from:
- Chris Yates
- Hugh Miles
- Keith Arthur
- Kevin Nash
- Kevin Clifford
- Ali Hamidi
- Pat O’Reilly
2/ Will the book tell me much about Bernard Venables & Mr. Crabtree?
It’s a very good starting point. The foreword is written by Hannah Bruford – Bernard’s Daughter – and Section 1 is called ‘Mr. Crabtree – An Introduction’. You’ll find previously unseen pictures from Bernard’s private family collection, and the whole book is peppered with references to the classic ‘Mr. Crabtree Goes Fishing’.
3/ How is the rest of the book laid out?
The rest of the book is split up into the following chapters:
- Pike
- Perch
- Roach
- Watercraft – Stillwaters
- Tench
- Carp
- Fish Safety
- Carp Rigs & Methods
- Rudd
- Reels
- Bream
- Floats
- Barbel
- Watercraft – Rivers
- Chub
- Weights & Feeders
- Baits
- Safety
- Knots
- Dos & Don’ts
4/ Is it the same as Mr. Crabtree Goes Fishing?
No, not at all. John & Rob are huge Crabtree fans and this book is always reverential to Bernard Venables and the Crabtree legacy, but in no way is it a facsimile of the original. Fishing in the Footsteps of Mr. Crabtree enables the authors to take the lessons they learned from Mr. Crabtree and apply them to the world of modern fishing, bringing those teachings bang up to date. So for anyone looking for a companion book as they begin their foray into fishing, this is it. It’s also the ideal book for the experienced angler wanting to immerse themselves in what’s wonderful about this great sport.
5/ I’m watching the TV series, ‘Fishing in the Footsteps of Mr. Crabtree’, is there any point buying the book as well?
Very much so. There’s only so much that we can cram into the TV series, and the difference between writing a book and making a TV series is that you’ve got a lot more control over what goes into a book!
Take for example, the ‘Lake Special’ in the TV series – this was originally meant to be the Tench episode, but the fish had other ideas! Each comic strip in the book was storyboarded and planned out to instruct, inform and entertain – and there’s lots of them to enjoy!
The book is the ideal prep for a day on the bankside – read and enjoy the night before, prepare your strategy and your target fish, and then relax and let things play out the way the fish have planned…. as they always do!
