Written By Chris Yates
Published by Unbound 2013
Star rating: *****
Those of you who follow the
website may well realise that my reading is usually limited to a few minutes
snatched when I am able, so I generally opt for books where the content is
broken into discreet sections. This book
is one such as those being the expanded version of Chris Yates’ diary from April
to September 1981 which was lost in his Christmas decorations for many years, hence
the title “The Lost Diary”. The only thing is that I find the writing so
absorbing that I read it from start to finish in one sitting.
This book covers the season
after he caught the record carp from Redmire and follows him and his friends as
they search for new waters and fish favourites in the days before everywhere
was overstocked with carp.
You can tell from his writing
of his love for the sport is more about the scenery and nature than about big
fish with his contempt for the hair rig showing through as he prefers
traditional approaches of man seeking a goal within nature rather than
utilising automatic hooking rigs.
This was his last year
focussing on carp as his interest was transferred onto barbel and later bass.
If you are a fisherman who
appreciates high quality very descriptive writing, and Chris does take you to
the water with him, rather than a “how to” guide, then you will really enjoy
this book. The style of writing seems so relaxed and natural (although knowing
Chris and his work, he really is a perfectionist and frequently discards
chapters that just don’t feel right.) The only problem is there isn’t enough of
it; you are always left wanting more.