Just finished reading a new book written by my good friend Phil Wakeford. Over the years Phil has been a regular contributor in the Angling press but this is his first book and it is a great read.
Phil has fished for all the main species for over 40 years in the UK where he lives, and also abroad but Pike fishing has always been his real passion. Not surprising to those who know Phil, the book is dedicated to his friend and one of Ireland’s foremost Pike anglers, the late and sadly missed David Overy.
The book covers his fishing from when he started out right up to the present day. All sort of waters are covered from gravel pits to fenland drains, and rivers to lakes and reservoirs. [slideshow gallery_id=”13″]
Phil also gives significant coverage to piking here in Ireland. I first met and fished with Phil in the early 90s and he has been a regular visitor here since. He has made many friends in Ireland on his travels and has also been very successful fishing here. There is a great account in one chapter of a successful few days fishing with Ian Forde which was exceptional by anyones standards.
Another guest chapter is by Ernie Overy, father of the late David Overy. Ernie really writes from the heart and recounts a day he and David both caught their biggest ever Pike. I spent many years fishing with David, sharing many great catches and Phil’s remembers and recounts some of his own great days with David.
Over the years Phil has caught more big Pike than most. In 2010 he caught a Pike of over 38 lb from Chew Valley. He thought this was going to be his life-time best, but in 2011 he went one better from the same venue with a fish of over 40 lb. He recounts the moments from that special day in the final chapter.
I enjoy every day fishing with Phil and never fail to learn something new and I think this book is a must for any Pike angler out there. Only this week, Angling Times has voted ‘Pike – Here & There‘ #5 in the top books of 2012.
It is available at www.pikehereandthere.co.uk and would make a great present. rj