Merlin Unwin Books

21/11/2024

To our followers and flytyers in Ireland, your chance to meet Hans van Klinken at the Irish Spring Angling Fair in May 2025. A date for your diaries.

21/11/2024

What do you think of when you think of The Fens? Quite flat, naturally marshy region supporting a rich ecology and numerous species.

The landscape, its people, and a deep connection to place are explored in Charles Moseley's To Everything a Season. The book is a joy to read, infused with literary verse, childhood memories and daily observations of nature, life and the passing of time.

To Everything a Season (hardback £20).

Reviews:
'There was not a page I did not enjoy'. John Lewis-Stempel, Country Life magazine.

'Charles Moseley is an expert in Cambridge's changing landscape and master of the charming anecdote'. Cambridge Magazine

'A beautifully crafted personal and reflective account of many years of the changing seasons in the Cambridgeshire Fens. The author ponders the miracle of the rich gift of life. A book suffused with a gentle humour, with a deep love and sympathy for our fellow creatures. Charles tackles what we have done to the world of which we are not owners or masters but stewards, not only for our children but for the whole web of life on which everything depends'. Ely Magazine

Photo credit: Rosanna Moseley Gore

21/11/2024

The National Geographic Travel, Daniel Stables explained why he thinks the North Pennines is well worth a visit, showing that there is more to Cumbria than just the Lakes.

We agree! And Helen Shaw's new book, The North Pennines, is a photographic celebration of this stunning rugged landscape.

Daniel writes that 'The green mountains of the North Pennines rise like dragons’ spines to form a rugged dividing line across the country. The region offers some of the finest qualities of its more famous neighbours — glorious hillwalking, ancient ruins and industrial heritage — but is a quieter alternative for those seeking an adventure in the wilds of northern England.'

Between a trio of national parks, this underrated northern region has mighty mountains, industrial relics and ancient ruins.

21/11/2024

Have you seen we are in The Lady Magazine with a colourful tower of books! If you are lacking inspiration this year for the perfect gift then we are here to help. From practical guides to little gift books that make excellent stocking fillers, both factual and funny reads, memoirs to foraging and fishing.

Something for everyone. If you are struggling to choose you can call us and our friendly team is happy to help you pick the best book for a friend or family member. It's just £4 for UK postage, regardless of how many books you order.

20/11/2024

18/11/2024

https://flyfishing-blog.com/flyfishing-blog.com/2024/08/24/new-book-on-fly-tying-by-barry-ord-clarke/

On the 5th September Merlin Unwin Books Ltd will be publishing The Feather Bender's Advanced Flytying Techniques by Barry Ord Clarke...

15/11/2024

Hugh Cran's new book, Rift Valley Fever was recommended by The Scottish Farmer in their gift guide for avid readers.

The book is the latest by Hugh, describing his work as a vet in a rural practice in Kenya. His days were filled with long journeys, unexpected challenges, joys and commitment to promises made to help people and their animals.

Hugh is astute and he has a keen eye for detail. He also shares some very honest and entertaining stories of life at the sharp end as a British Vet in Africa.

Hardback book (£14.99) https://merlinunwin.co.uk/collections/new-books/products/rift-valley-fever

Discover imaginative gift ideas for book lovers—from cosy must-haves to intriguing reads. Perfect presents that show you know their passion!

11/11/2024

Meet Barry Ord Clarke at the International Fly Tying Symposium at Somerset New Jersey 16-17 November.

Barry will have a limited number of the 1st edition of his new book for sale, if you would like to get your hands on one, find his tying station at the Symposium. His tying class is sold out, but there will also be a Seminar at 11:30am on Saturday as well as the 'Featured Flytyer' spot on Saturday at 1:15pm both free of charge.

His new book, The Feather Bender's Advanced Flytying Techniques, is out now from Merlin Unwin Books in the UK and available soon in the USA. A great gift this Christmas for flytying fans.

06/11/2024

A lovely gift for Christmas for anyone you know from The North Pennines, who has visited the region, or might like the inspiration to go.

The North Pennines are aptly known as 'England's Last Wilderness' and they certainly don't disappoint when it comes to the rugged landscapes and picturesque settlements.

Helen Shaw took on the challenge of capturing this unique landscape, its villages and wildlife, over the course of several months. Her photographs are stunning and give the reader every reason to make plans to visit this unspoilt region or admire their beauty in this hardback book.

The North Pennines (£20) https://merlinunwin.co.uk/products/the-north-pennines

A photographer has captured the essence of the North Pennines in a new hardback book.

25/10/2024

A stunning photo of an approaching Leopard taken by Richard Barrett at Manna Pools, Zimbabwe. You might see a photo like this and think it impossible to recreate in your own photo album, but his book Wild World tells you exactly how, where and when you can travel to have the best chance to see iconic wildlife, and how to use your camera and his composition tips to capture when you see.

Wild World (£30) is a beautiful large book that is not only nice to look at, but very informative too. Tips and tricks on getting the most from your camera and travel.

It would make an excellent gift for all photography lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

https://merlinunwin.co.uk/products/wild-world-2

24/10/2024

Well worth a listen, Michael Brown, author of Moonlighting, was on BBC Somerset this morning. He was speaking to Simon Parkin about the elusive and fascinating creatures... elvers and eels.

(start at 11:00 to 11:19) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_somerset_sound

You can hear how Michael's career and interest in eels was unexpectedly ignited back in 1973 having no prior experience of fishing. How he came to run a successful eel smokery, searching for new clients and developing recipes. Hear about their fascinating life cycle spending many years at sea before returning to UK rivers, and how they are caught.

If this interview sparks your interest Michael's book, Moonlighting, is beautifully written and available to order to your local bookshop or via Merlin Unwin Books online.

24/10/2024

If you enjoy Match Fishing, or the share experiences of fishing in lakes, rivers and canals across the UK, then Godders Piscatorials YouTube channel could be for you...

This week John is discussing match fishing recorded live from the riverbank. It gives a real insight into the sport.

Peter May is the author of a book about Match Fishing, End Peg, he believes 'match anglers are misunderstood people' explaining how friendly the match fishing community is, often sociable and close knit. There are also tactics, skill and thrills with every catch as well as tranquility and the occasional off-day fishing when luck seems to vanish.

Skip to 14:20 to hear Peter May's book, End Peg reviewed and endorsed, or enjoy 15 minutes of life by the riverbank as John enjoys the end peg.
Ultimate Match Fishing

23/10/2024

A video shared by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) today about The iconic Black Grouse.

You can read all about this special species, its conservation, decline and future management in Patrick Laurie's book. Beautifully illustrated with the author’s own watercolours, this lively natural history conveys Laurie’s passion for these vulnerable, delightfully aggressive and at turns shy and elusive, birds as they struggle for survival.

The Black Grouse (£20) by Patrick Laurie

https://merlinunwin.co.uk/products/the-black-grouse

23/10/2024

Listen to The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast hosted by Tom Rosenbauer with Barry Ord Clarke as his special guest. His new book, The Feather Bender's Advanced Flytying Techniques, is out now.

North American and European Fly Tying Cross Pollination, with Barry Ord Clarke
[Follow link below and skip to 50:21]

Barry Ord Clarke is one of the world's most popular fly tiers, through his books, videos, and website. Originally from the UK but living in Norway, Barry keeps his pulse on the world of flytying on both sides of the Atlantic. He discusses the fly patterns developed in North America that Europeans have embraced, and also details the history of some well-known and lesser-known European patterns and techniques that listeners may not have heard about. You can listen again to head Tom and Barry discuss the international flytying community.

Link via Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/north-american-and-european-fly-tying-cross/id278930814

Link to podcast homepage: https://sites.libsyn.com/19754/north-american-and-european-fly-tying-cross-pollination-with-barry-ord-clarke

Wilderness Podcast · 620 Episodes · Updated weekly

23/10/2024

A celebration of A Shropshire Lad in words and pictures. Beautiful poppies adorn the front of this photographic edition, taken by John Hayward, at sunset in a field in Shifnal, Shropshire.

Housman was born in 1859 in the village of Fockbury in Worcestershire, the eldest of seven children. He was educated at Bromsgrove School and later read Classics at Oxford. His poem A Shropshire Lad was published in 1896.

He died in 1936 and his ashes are interred in the shadow of the walls of St Laurence's church, Ludlow.

This photographic edition will appeal to all poetry lovers, and anyone who lives in, or is fond of Shropshire. Available from your local bookshop, or online via Merlin Unwin Books.
Shropshire and Beyond

21/10/2024

One of Shropshire's finest wildlife and landscape photographers, Gareth Thomas, has died. Gareth was the photographer for our first edition of A Shropshire Lad, he skilfully paired photos of the Shropshire landscape with Housman's lyrical poems.

A Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, Gareth Thomas lived in Ludlow, Shropshire.

His striking local landscapes, and his images of wildlife, reflected his intimate knowledge of the area and its natural history: he had earlier practised as a local vet for 24 years before devoting himself full-time to photography.

His photographic images appear in countless books and journals and, as prints, hang in many houses worldwide. It was a pleasure to have worked with Gareth. Our thoughts are with Gloria his wife, and family.

21/10/2024

A great book for flyfishers, its small format means easy riverside reading, with photos, maps and seasonal charts to show what artificial fly to match with the active fly life. When to use a nymph, a dry fly, a spinner... a simple yet essential book.

Matching the Hatch (£9.99 spiral bound). A practical and informative gift for flyfishers.

16/10/2024

It's been rather rainy and damp this week, but do not despair, it's great weather for mushrooming! If you are keen to start this new hobby, or know a little and would like to improve your identification skills... 'Mushrooming without Fear' by Alex Schwab is for you.

A definitive, comprehensive and very clear guide. It focuses only on the edible species. Each mushroom has lots of photographs, a colour ID bar, and an important checklist to positively ID your foraged fungi.

Mushrooming without Fear by Alex Schwab (hardback £20) https://merlinunwin.co.uk/products/mushrooming-without-fear-1