“Catching the Impossible”by Martin Bowler and Hugh Miles It is unusual for me to find a book that I cannot put down! Most of mine are reference works – perhaps that’s why. Strangely, I have read this book from front to back and re-read several chapters – enthralling to say the least! How the actual capture of the ‘Impossible’ fish came to fruition at all is incredible. Four years work at least in the filming but what giants within those four years.
Enlisting the help of some friends the book succeeds in bringing you is just what the title says including a 5lb+ perch, a 1lb2oz dace, 40lb carp and 30lb pike to name but a few falling to Martin's rods. With friends like Pete Reading with an Avon barbel; Peter Orchard with an Avon carp; Terry Lampard with a 3lb roach and Bernard Cribbins and ‘Uncle’ John Wilson stalking carp!
The photographs are superb and the ‘Impossible’ also includes a few of Hugh’s photos from his previous films: for me the most breathtaking is the close up of a snow leopard, probably the hardest animal to photograph due to its habitat and its rarity. Rather like a 5lb perch! While Rodger McPhail’s illustrations of birds, animals and fish likely to be seen whilst fishing add a delightful variety to the book.
The narrators, Martin ‘Perch’ Bowler and Hugh ‘Roach’ Miles, certainly keep you entertained with their running commentaries. Negative type colour photos cascade down the pages and give you an insight into what is to be expected from the DVD. Personally I cannot wait.
A reference book; a story book; a photo book; it has all of angling’s trials and tribulations according to the authors and most of all its ultimate successes!
A Christmas must for all anglers who will delight in its pages and of course something for you to emulate – if you can!
