Avon Days and Stour Ways by Kevin Grozier

Having started to read 'Avon Days and Stour Ways' by Kevin Grozier a book about one mans obsession with the Avon and Stour, I found it hard to put down I suppose it was around six o'clock in the evening when I started reading this book, and long after midnight when I put the book down. Next day after breakfast I picked the book up again, finishing it just after lunch time. It’s certainly an excellent read. Though not written as a 'How to Do It Book', there is so much knowledge between the 250 plus pages, that the beginner and more experienced angler cannot fail to learn something to help them in their fishing. It’s for all river anglers who fish either in the north or south of the country. I reckon your fishing can only improve by reading Kevin's experience and the experiences of various authors who contributed chapters covering pike, bream, carp, roach, perch and chub.

Chris Ball's chapter Anyone for Carp had me enthralled, I felt I was sitting alongside him as he fished the river. The picture of the common carp of 21lb with no name is what we old carp fishers dream about. Not to be missed is Hampshire Avon Pike by Mark Callaway. If you havent fished for pike you will want to after reading of Mark's experiences and how he eventually ends his lifelong dream of catching a thirty pound fish.

As a roach fisher since the 1940's the chapter on roach, pages 199 -242 will have all roach fishers wishing for the halcyon days of the 50's 60's and 70's It certainly had me drooling over the quality of roach being caught, as I worked my way through this excellent book, I was often transported back to those days when I fished the Stour and Avon, experiencing some great days when I would hire a punt from Newman's boat yard at Wimborne on the Stour, or being on the banks of the Avon at Fordingbridge. Kevin's chapter titled Reflections is certainly a thought provoking chapter which should be read by all anglers.

Avon Days and Stour Ways is nicely written, with lots of photographs, many amusing stories, including Kevin getting hooked up on a stile, and his tussle with a bull. One moving story is a young girls fight back from a road accident who then enjoys being on the river bank. As in life there is tragedy, as Kevin writes about the sad loss of a friend who so badly wanted to catch a barbel. It’s a book I recommend to all anglers especially those who fish the Countries Rivers and streams. Cheque or postal order for £36-00 payable to: Kevin Grozier 11 Merlin Close Hightown Ringwood Hampshire BH24 3RB email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7949 121385