by Charles Bingham
The latest work from the pen of Charles Bingham entitled 'Setra the Sea Trout and other stories' is an account of the struggle of a big sea trout in its long journey back upstream to spawn. The other stories (some actual accounts) are about fishing, the river, nature and the characters who frequent the river bank.
The book is descriptive, atmospheric and written in such a way as being accessible to a wide audience. Countrymen and anglers will identify immediately that the writer has a great affinity with the natural world and in particular Dartmoor and Devon. The descriptions of local characters and countryside alike also indicate clearly his love of Devon and its people.
From an angling perspective the writer is already greatly accomplished and his past works on salmon and sea trout fishing were always well received. The descriptions of the Dart and surrounding areas are excellent and local anglers will no doubt identify many of the locations and individuals. I think that this book also fulfils an important need to inform or dare I say educate the younger generation of the wider natural environment, so rapidly disappearing, and I can well imagine reading Setera's story to my very young granddaughter.
Books of this nature and calibre are increasingly rare so Charles is to be applauded for writing it. I do hope that we shall be able to read some more of the same in the future.
Published and sold by Excellent Press at £12.99
ISBN 978-1-900318-42-6
Alextube, Jan 2011
