Issue 149

In the latest issue of Classic Angling

* We reveal why an Atlantic salmon that could have weighed over 80lb cannot be claimed as a fly-caught record, although its captor has a model of the huge fish.
* The august London Flyfishers’ Club looks likely to allow women to become members for the first time since its foundation in 1884.

*Carlsberg has issued a pike lure called DrunkenBait, which features an apparently drowned man. It’s designed to warn anglers about the dangers of drinking and fishing.

* Wildfish’sonline auction has some spectacular lots that include a week’s fishing for two in the Seychelles and a trip for golden dorado in Argentina.
* The hugely popular Bob Roberts has written the definitive book on the river Trent, which includes the story ofhow the river saved his life after a series of personal tragedies.
* Soaring demand for wild fish to feed salmon on Norwegian farms is causing huge problems for several small African nations.
* A commercial fisherman has captured the world’s rarest shark off Penzance in Cornwall – only it’s made of…Lego.
* Jason Lewis looks at the very earliest days of tackle catalogues, going right back to the 17th century, and how they played a key role in publicising a company’s wares.
* Migratory fish populations worldwide have shown a sharp decline, with falls of more than 90% in some areas.
* Some very rare cased fish like a gudgeon, a burbot and a quartet of golden tench will be offered at Angling Auctions’ next sale.
* A small salmon has been caught by a fly angler from a Thames tributary in the heart of London, but researchers say spending money to bring back the species is a waste of money.
* The International Game Fish Association has named bass pioneer James Henshall and four times Bassmaster Classic winner Kevin VanDam among inductees for its Hall of Fame.
* A desperate plea has been issued for anglers to rescue a unique strain of wild carp under threat from pollution by chicken farms.
* Neil Freeman fears that move by Norway to close rivers in a bid to protect dwindling stocks may be the end of the golden years of the country’s salmon fishing.
* John Bailey is horrified to find that some of angling’s great names like John Wilson, Chris Yates and Hugh Falkus are relatively unknown by a modern generation of fishermen.
* A very rare copy of Sarah Bowdich’s stunning 1837 book on British freshwater fish has just sold at auction in Philadelphia for $37,500.
* A new 500-page book covering the century-long history of Alvey, the iconic Australian reel company, is due to be published shortly.
* Dave Townsend takes a close look at the most popular and collectable tackle catalogues of all – the Angler’s Guides produced by Hardy’s over the past 140 years.
* Richard Walker’s record 44lb carp may not have sold at auction but was bought privately later, and will be on display less than an hour’s drive from Redmire Pool, where it was caught in 1952.
* Some very rare cased fish as well as very early Hardy Angler’s Guides are among the highlights at Angling Auctions.
* Our books pages cover whimsical works to shortfin mako off the British coast, while a reviewer highlights one work on the the seas that lie beyond national borders as a must-read.
* The seemingly unstoppable spread through the US and into Canada of flathead catfish, a voracious predator that can grow to over 100lb, is perturbing fishery officials and scientists.
* Mullock Jones’ latest auction had plenty to offer among its 1347 lots such as rods and reels owned by former world champion Billy Lane.
* Our letters pages set readers an intriguing puzzle, discuss keeping an eagle eye out for pollution and polluters, and highlight the benefits of classic tackle.
* Keith Arthur tells how the stars aligned to make him the presenter of Tight Lines, the UK’s most important TV fishing programme.
* Keith Harwood admires the watercolour skills of Ernest Briggs, whose talent for bringing Scottish waters to life make his works still appealing today, although he died more than 100 years ago.
* John Drewett takes a look at the very earliest reels that used a revolutionary new lightweight material called… aluminium.
* Richard Hewitt looks back on the talent of the Russian guide Nick Podolsky, who created a series of very fine carved fish before his murder.
* Steve Woit is captivated by the elegance and design (never mind the value) of permits to fish, some dating right back to the 1850s.

and much more!