A BOOK about fly fishing of trout by a chap named Pike has to be a cracking start in terms of publicity; the title, 'Trout in Dirty Places,' further captures the imagination and curiosity.

Throw in over 250 pages of highly informative, vividly descriptive writing, liberally sprinkled with lavish photos and illustrations, plus a comprehensive index and all produced at a quality level it is difficult to surpass, then the author is surely on to a winner.

Theo Pike is an angling, environmental and marketing writer and activist. He lives in South London, and a theme of this book is that it covers, within town and city centres, 50 British rivers frequented by fly fishers who pursue trout and grayling. As the author does with all entries, he writes an essay on this area's best known fresh water river, the Tavy (second fastest flowing in the land), which informs in terms of history and regarding its qualities as a venue for anglers. Another 'Don't miss' mentions Okehampton Castle, a romantic ruin painted by JMW Turner', arguably the greatest name in British art. Theo Pike gives mention to this iconic figure in the publications opening chapter, that which features Okehampton's twin rivers the East and West Okements. As with the Tavy, these water courses coming down from Dartmoor are described in meticulous detail. Indeed, such can fairly be said of everything within this production. The format of the book suggests that Theo Pike sought to create a work which is encyclopedic and perceptive for the committed angler, is informative and entertaining for those who like to know the geography and rivers of our island, and which is an enjoyable, straightforward and mind improving read for those who just enjoy browsing a professionally written publication.

'Trout in Dirty Places' by Theo Pike, published by Merlin Unwin Books, ISBN 978-1-906122-42-3 is priced at £20. (A donation from all sales goes to the Wild Trout Trust and the Grayling Society.)

TED SHERRELL