Tsunarmi Salt X 4000

The released in 2019 Tsunami Salt X 4000, fully sealed and considered by many in the US a far better reel than the Val Staal or Zeebass lines. Ordered at a time when I'd have thought Covid 19 was a Latvian heavy metal group its taken over 5 months to arrive with me such is it popularity. It's 40g heavier than my Stella, and costing US360 plus £83 customs charges this reel isn't going to be to everyones liking, but I'm pretty sure it's to mine.
 Looks a piece of art, comes with the Bailess converstion option, line lay is on par with a Shimano and gears are a match too. Plus I dont know anybody else in the UK who has one, even Henry Gilbeys not reviewed it.

Books and Covid 19

Why do anglers in the West Country think they have to share their thoughts with the rest of the world in the form of a book. These 2 are receiving mixed reviews on a certain fishing forum, due no doubt to Corona lockdown, or some of the members partners suddenly having free time to read books to them.

James Leakyboots Batty's effort.
 The authors name gives 2 big clues whats coming, and whilst he might sound like your local Monster Raving Looney Party candidate, his condescending tone throughout knocking anybody who doesnt dress like a tramp, drive a shitheap and fishes with cheap crap gets as irritating as one knocking on your door. Obviously being the hero of the book he catches some fish, as would happen if you were retired, live in one of the best bass hotspots in Britain and have little else to do. Fortunately he doesn't catch to many, as I couldn't find a picture of one alive. Really thought the days of somebody hanging a fish in front of them in a car park or backgarden were long gone. The continueous attempt at humour fails in my opinion though others seem to find it funny, but some people also found the Chuckle Brothers funny!!!. As for the book not being just about the "hows and whys"as promised on the dust cover, he manages that very well.

Mark Cowlings effort.
If there was something I enjoyed, did for a living day in day out, spent huge amounts of time doing, yet my best Bass was around 8lb, I certainly wouldn't feel quilified to write a book on the subject. Not to worry though, put a lot of charts in, baffle the readers with well thought out logic that obviously hasn't worked to well, bring out a most basic and copied lure with your name on it, and you're an expert author-guide-tackle manufacture. Never caught a Bass referring to a Pie Chart?, heres your chance.

Finally a 3rd West country angler has seen fit to bless us with his fishing experiences. Robin Bradley or something like that. I've read his "lengthy" catch reports in the BASS magazine, page after page of nothing when a 2 line text would have been sufficent ensures I wont be falling for this offering.

If you really want to read some well writen Angling books, try the brilliant and  sharp witted Clive Gammon. His book "a tide of fish" changes hands for around £150 upward even in very bad condition. Given another year these 2 books wont be costing 1% of that in the bargain bucket. Gammons other work is considerably cheaper, and being a proper Sports Journlist, he can write. Also worth a read is anything by John Gierach, an American author, based loosley on fly fishing, but more about his observations on fishermans behaviour. Finally, for instruction, John Darling. ( Who was a good friend of Gammons)