Fishing and painting are similar in that they are lovely pursuits, but moments alone on a river give a feeling of great contentment. By contrast, social gatherings at lunch in a fishing hut, or later at dinner in a cosy lodge are that much sweeter. Many a good yarn has been shared over a fine bottle of wine - and many a conspirattorial moment over a fly box.
The author's memory conjures up companionable evenings beside a blaing fire, where the day's fishing and tales of exploits past are magnified in the amber glow of liquid gold, a dram steeped in the peat or heather of the hills around.
The diaries and pictures painted over the last 50 years have, forr him, rekindled a wealth or recollections and in 'his age of reflection' have given the author such pleasure in compiling this book.