The only sad aspect of all this success is the decline of so much of our available fishing. The series title ‘Catching the Impossible’ was simply a device as nothing is impossible … but it is now! Martin believes that attempting to make the series today would be madness and it took us more than four years when it was possible. Many of our rivers have declined so much that many of our targets are simply out of reach. Also, to my delight, I have discovered that my Playstation plays the films on the correct aspect, 4:3, rather than stretched horribly, like a minnow-nibbled maggot, to 16:9 as my DVD player does (with no option to change to 4:3). As for the future, my daughter asked me to list all the films I have ever made and it came to 66 wildlife films, plus more than 30 when I was at the BBC. At a 100 not out maybe I should quit while I'm winning … and go fishing!

A Passion for Angling DVD set - Page 3 - The Traditional A Passion for Angling DVD set - Page 3 - The Traditional

Rodger McPhail (illustrator). (Hardcover, 1993). (1993) later reprint. 4to (195 x 252mm). Pp191. Colour photographs throughout, b/w illustrations by Rodger McPhail. Green boards, spine titled in gilt. Very good in dust-wrapper. Inscribed to a former owner by Bob James. This book was first published to accompany the BBC TV series of the same name. It "tells of a fishing adventure which takes .Chris Yates, Bob James and Hugh Miles across Britain. Redmire, the Spey, the Kennet and the Avon. Carp, salmon, trout, barbel, pike, roach, tench, chub, rudd, grayling and gudgeon. . Ch 4 plan to repeat the series in the Spring, and if you all watch and provide them with a big audience, maybe they will give us a more ‘accessible’ slot and we can show ‘proper’ UK fishing with our best anglers to an even wider audience. Was also invited to the R.Test by Martin Salter and we caught some lovely roach. He also honoured us by inviting Sue and I to a dinner at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate his retirement as an MP. There were several other fishing pals there, including Fisheries Ministers and shadow ones too …. all mad keen anglers which is great for the future, regardless of who is governing us when you read this. But we sure will miss Martin and his energetic and forthright defence of angling and the environment in which fish live.

Now the filming is all complete, I realise what a rare privilege it has been to explore the alien worlds of our wonderful freshwater rivers and lakes and to search for the mysterious monsters that swim in these landscapes of surprising beauty. I tried to get this message across on the BBC's "Springwatch" last year but I was 'dumbed down'...and I was pretty dumb already! But Sue and I and our friends will continue to make films in the hope of improving our fish life in the future. and adding the reasons why I made them. We hope you'll find them informative and interesting if and when you have time to view. Freshwater fish conservation is my mission in life, so our other news is also encouraging. I have finally convinced the BBC that they should be looking below the surface of our rivers and lakes for new wildlife stories and last October the BBC made a little film about me and the filming of roach and barbel in the Hampshire Avon.

A Passion For Angling (Complete Series) - Johnson Ross Tackle

In this International Year of Biodiversity, I was surprised to learn that of the World’s known species, 40% of them live in freshwater habitats, so there is still a lot of conservation filming for Sue and I to do if we’re to make a difference. In fact, all of us should get out there and contribute to the pressing need to conserve our precious and increasingly rare freshwater fish. If we don’t, I fear that all our ‘impossible’ sized fish will be consigned to history. An update from us is long overdue, our excuse being that we’ve been burning the candle at three ends to finish the next three films in our series, “Catching the Impossible”.This is a wonderful series about angling, however the photography and scenery make this a must even if your not into fishing. The different episodes show a variety of locations as well as styles of angling and species of fish as the quarry. Forgotten the title or the author of a book? Our BookSleuth is specially designed for you. Visit BookSleuth I haven’t had much time for fishing in recent months but when I have escaped from the editing, it sure has been enjoyable. Roach are my favourite species and I’ve caught lots of big ones on the pole this year, with this 2lb 6oz specimen the most immaculate of several two pounders. I was very kindly invited onto the R.Test for the second year running by S&TA stalwart John Slader and we had a great day sipping tea and eating cake, in between having a few casts for the beautiful trout...and we caught lots too. After that treat I couldn't refuse the request to make four conservation films for them could I, so my next series is already lined up...and there was I thinking I might have time to go fishing! Dream on.... Apologies if this has been spotted already, but I was watching Passion For angling today with my Son and I think I spotted a continuity error.