Mr Crabtree creator’s unfinished book found and set to be released – full story!
Family friend is all set to publish epic book on Bernard Venables’
“I worked with him over the years and I am now pleased to be able to deliver Bernard’s dream of publishing his book for all to see”
APREVIOUSLY unfinished book written by legendary Angling Times founder and Mr Crabtree creator Bernard Venables is to be published early next year, we can reveal.
In what could be the must-have book of 2019, close family friend and fellow author, Peter Rogers, has this week confirmed work has finally been completed on the ‘epic tome’ Bernard was working on right up until his death, aged 94, back in 2001.
According to Peter, the book – to be called ‘A Prospect of Angling’ – will cover 11 chapters and more than 150,000 words, and will span the best of Bernard’s work during his nine years working on Angling Times since its inception in 1953.
It’s also a celebration of Bernard’s beautiful descriptive writing, with previously unseen manuscripts on his own fishing sessions – both at home and abroad in locations such as Ireland, Scotland, and Norway – plus his favourite fish species and the best tactics for catching them.
Further chapters on the ecology of our waterways are what Peter describes as being as ‘relevant and valid today as they were back in Bernard’s time.’
“This is a real time-capsule of a book,” Peter (64) told Angling Times. “Bernard was a wonderful man with incredible skills, and this book is the best of that writing from an unforgettable time for fishing.
“I’m pleased to have been able to finally realise Bernard’s dream and get this book to print for everyone to enjoy.”
Peter was the driving force behind several iconic fishing books, including ‘Red Letter Days’, which was a collection of stories written by legends such as Chris Yates, Len Arbery and Peter Stone to help Bernard out of unfortunate financial difficulties he encountered later in his life.
It was this tough period in Bernard’s life which actually led to their friendship, and Peter’s determination to finish the book.
“I’d collected a lot of Bernard’s writings over the years and heard he was auctioning off some of his fishing tackle, so went along to Bonhams to see,” revealed Peter.
“I spotted the Mark IV rod Dick Walker had made for him, and his
classic Mr Crabtree landing net which I was fortunate enough to bid on and win.
“To my surprise I was told Bernard was there, and I spotted him standing quietly in the corner.
“I was nervous, as he was my hero, but I plucked up the courage to go over and see him and we chatted, had a tea, and quickly became firm friends, later fishing together on many occasions.
“I worked with him over the years and I am now pleased to be able to deliver his dream of publishing his book for all to see.
“Bernard was a master craftsman and this is his best work.”
Classic book specialist Wayne Cryer, of Little Egret Press, has revealed he will publish the limited edition book, hopefully in early 2019, and reckons it will be much in demand.
“The opportunities to publish work from legends of fishing like Bernard Venables don’t come along very often, and it’s something I think all anglers will love to read,” said Wayne. For more info on Little Egret Press, head to www.l-e-p.co.uk