Book 6 in the Fennel's Journal series.

Traditional Angling celebrates the Waltonian values of angling: about fishing in a seasonal and uncompetitive way, for the pure pleasure of being beside water. It wears its heart on its sleeve and a wildflower in its lapel. It’s passionate, provocative and eccentric, written for those who appreciate the aesthetics of angling and uphold its sporting traditions. As such, it appeals to both fly and bait fishers, and to non-anglers as well. So, with great enthusiasm, raise your bamboo rods aloft for an adventure that proves there’s more to fishing than catching fish.

Chapters

• Introduction – The differences between traditional and modern angling.
• Traditional Sense – What makes a traditional angler?
• Faith in the Future – Fennel remembers kind words from Chris Yates.
• Return to Woodwater Pool – Fennel rediscovers BB's famous lake.
• A Wheeze before Teatime – How the Golden Scale Club ended their fishing season.
• Season's End – A time to be happy or sad?
• To Catch a Fish – Fennel explains the appeal and eccentricity of angling.
• The Custodians of Traditional Angling – Fennel's plans for a traditional angling syndicate.
• An Absolute Blank? – Fennel discusses traditional angling with Fred Buller.
• Real Ale and the Meaning of Life – What really happens on the Golden Scale Club opening night.
• The Adventures of Smelly Brown – A bait for traditional anglers.
• Classic Tench – Fennel fishes an estate lake in Shropshire.
• A Gather at the Dorset Stour – A late night invitation sees Fennel fish with friends.
• The Silent Hunt – Fennel 'fishes' for mushrooms.
• Six Sides to Every Story – Split cane rods appear different after too much port.
• Angler's Dispatch – A revolution in angling?
• Pike! – Fennel searches for a feisty female.
• Frozen – Inspired by Mike Winter, Fennel pioneers the art of snow fishing for carp.
• A Reel for Christmas – Fennel is presented with a Richard Carter centrepin.
• The Edward Barder Interview – Fennel interviews a master rod builder.
• The Last Cast – The pleasure of angling? It's not about catching fish.

Publication details

• Published by Fennel’s Priory.
• First shared as handwritten letters in 2010
• Limited edition collectors' magazine published in 2012
• eBook published in 2013
• Extended edition in hardback and eBook published in 2017

Book specification

• 216 x 140 x 16 mm, 224 pages.
• Language: English
• Copyright © Fennel Hudson 2010, 2017
• Hardback ISBN 978-1-909947-22-1

Favourite quote from Traditional Angling

"Physics teaches us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction: a natural balance of energy that sustains the equilibrium of life. In modern angling, these forces are skewed so far in favour of technology that the balance between science and art has been lost. But there is a movement, an undercurrent that defies the flow of progress. There are those who choose not to follow the crowd. They seek not to fish in a predictable, scientific manner. They yearn for the opposite, to buck the trend, to be different. They are the Traditional Anglers."

Reader testimonials

“A beautifully written, very engaging and hugely enjoyable read. In fact, it’s the best thing on fishing I’ve read in a long time.”

“What a Journal! Fennel is clearly the spiritual successor to his mentor – the great Bernard Venables. There’s so much wisdom and craftsmanship in his writing. Bernard clearly taught him very well.”

“Wonderful, atmospheric, writing. I had to ration myself so not to let the moments go too quickly.”

“I loved reading Traditional Angling. I knew it would be good, and was not disappointed. I couldn’t put it down until I finished.”