River Reads' biographies and bibliographies reflect the range of work that these great authors and anglers produced, thereby highlighting the impact that they had on fishing throughout their lives.  Whilst the lists are never likely to include every piece of work, we feel that they are of great value to collectors and readers alike.  If you know of any publication which is not included in our list, please advise us and we will amend the details accordingly as we strive for cohesive information for our customers.

BB - Denys James Watkins-Pitchford, MBE

'BB' was the pseudonym of Denys James Watkins-Pitchford, ARCA, FRSA, MBE.  A prolific writer and illustrator of children's and country books, he was arguably one of the most significant British authors of the 20th Century.  When he died in September, 1990, the literary world lost one of the most popular writers in that genre ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Buller, Fred MBE

There's something of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot about Fred Buller, and more than a smidgeon of Colin Dexter's enigmatic character, Morse. I say that because Buller is an indefatigable detective; an historian, unrivalled in the world of angling ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Rickards, Prof. Barrie

Professor Barrie Rickards has long been held in high regard as one of the top predator anglers in the UK.  He brings a very analytical approach to his fishing challenging many commonly held assumptions.  He has been a leading light in the Pike Anglers Club and has kindly written the bibliography attached so that we can show the range of his knowledge and expertise which extends beyond that many would expect. Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Stone, Peter

When the Barbel Society published their tribute in 2001, a soft-cover edition limited to 3000 copies, the sub-heading was: 'The Gentleman of angling .' We never met, but those of his acquaintance are in agreement with the sentiment expressed.  One only has to look through the index of the Society's publication at the list of some of the greatest names in angling, such as Chris Yates, Fred J. Taylor MBE, Peter Wheat, Matt Hayes, John Bailey, Chris Ball and Kevin Clifford, to name but a few - each has their memory of Peter Stone, and all are in accord - he was indeed a gentleman ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Taylor, Fred J, MBE

Browsing through Classic Angling, (a magazine specialising in angling history), I discovered an article on old angling postcards. One illustration caught my eye. It was a caricature of two portly gentlemen. They wore buff-coloured winter overcoats, and trilby hats. Collars upturned, they appeared overdressed for fishing in rain, which was falling like stair-rods, beating hard against their backs ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Venables, Bernard, MBE

Angling history is a fascinating subject and it can be written, almost without fear of contradiction, that the era of  Richard Walker, Fred J. Taylor MBE, Hugh Falkus, Fred Buller, Peter Stone et al, was the most significant in terms of innovation; from the development and advancement of fishing tackle and methods of catching fish, right through to literature; and there can be few of that generation of trail-blazing fishermen whose writing had a more enduring impact on an angling readership, than that of Bernard Venables ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Walker, Richard

In a letter dated 5th October, 1985, from Richard Walker's mother to Fred J. Taylor, MBE, she writes fondly of her talented son, and refers to the first fishing article he ever wrote when he was just six years old. She wrote [...] it ended Hardys Pennell Minnows are the best. That article was an early example of her young son's literary talents and interest in angling, and he went on to become one of the best angling writers of the 20th century, and certainly one of the most innovative in fishing tackle development and techniques. One wonders if he ever changed his opinion of the Pennell Minnows? ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Wheat, Peter

Peter Wheat is often regarded as a barbel angler from London following his book "The Fighting Barbel" which brought the species to many peoples attention.  However, Peter originated from Smethwick in the Midlands and is a true all-rounder although he now enjoys his perch fishing. Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »

Yates, Chris

Christopher Yates was born on the 19th April, 1948, and spent his early years living near the old village of Burgh Heath, Surrey. He was one of three children, and both parents were teachers.  Chris's mother taught French and spoke the language fluently, having studied at the Sorbonne, Paris, before the Second World War; his father specialised in English and wrote novels and poetry.  Clearly, Chris inherited his love of language from his parents,  but his fascination with all things piscatorial began when he spotted his first big fish in the village pond near his home ... Click here to read the full biography » | Click here for a bibliography »