Of Fish and Men Tales of a Scottish Fisher by David C Watson Published by Cualann Press of Dunfermline Price :  £10.99

Of Fish and Men is a collection of evocative and often humorous anecdotes from nearly forty years of fishing, linked by a commentary on the author's life and times. The book, however, is about much more than fishing; it is about characters and countryside, and about the struggle to forge a life and a career in Scotland during the depression of the 1970s and 1980s. It is liberally illustrated from the author's own collection of sketches, cartoons and photographs. For anyone who admits to human frailty, Of Fish and Men should be a comfort as the author writes as freely of his failures as his successes. The book promises a rewarding and entertaining read for anglers, country lovers, and anyone with Scottish roots or leanings.

The Daily Star "There are plenty of evocative and fishy tales and much about the countryside and it's character. This book is completely unpretentious and every angler will find an affinity with it." Bill Currie "It is a book suffused with enthusiasm and steeped in the joys of fishing" Paul Young on BBC Scotland "A most accessible book" Trout and Salmon "Like all good fishing books it had me noting down rivers and lochs, looking at maps and making plans"

HOOKED All of the boy's intuitions told him to act but he knew better. With monumental self-control which belied his tender years, he waited until he sensed, rather than saw, the fish swallow. Seizing the moment, a sharp upward flick of the wrist struck the hook home. Stung into action, the fish shot for the cover of the log. The boy was upright now, striving to hang on to his precarious perch and control the berserk thing thrashing below. In the limited confines of the pool, the fish fought with an alarming energy. For a while, it was all the boy could do to hang on. But slowly, oh so slowly, the tide began to turn. The runs were shorter, the tail thrashed with less vigour; the boy knew with certainty that the final hurdle was approaching.

SENTENCED TO FISH The reply when it came was strangely muted, almost an afterthought issued from the depths of his moustache, 'fishing for Slob trout, my arse! muttered the Major.                 That is why, some weeks later, we found ourselves here, beholden to the man, duty bound to accompany him, our presence just the weapon he needed. After all, bad heart or not, he did need exercise, and with two younger men to row and to carry his tackle, he would be in no danger of over exertion. There was no way out, we were his for the rest of the holiday. And if the truth be known, it had seemed to us like a fair deal: the spectre of the local courthouse banished and replaced instead by long days on one of Skye's finest lochs.

About the Author Dr David C Watson was born in Edinburgh in 1958 and attended George Watson's College in Morningside. He obtained a degree in Ecological Science from Edinburgh University and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Marine Ecology at Glasgow University. He now works on a major industrial site in the North West of England where he is responsible for liaising with the environmental regulators. He is married with two young sons. This, Dr Watson's first book, was written largely on trains and in hotel rooms while travelling on business.

TO ORDER A COPY By Cheque or postal order Please send a cheque or postal order for £10.99 per copy to : Cualann Press, 6 Corpach Drive, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 7XG, Scotland Please make Cheques payable to "Cualann Press" By Credit Card Please telephone : 01383-733724 if calling within the UK Or Telephone : +44 (0) 1383 733724 if calling outwith the UK Post and Packing Free UK postage & packing. Europe : £2 per book. Elsewhere : £3 per book Any further enquiries to : Cualann Press 6 Corpach Drive Dunfermline Fife KY12 7XG Tel/Fax : 01383 733724 Email :     cualann@btinternet.com

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