Book review
“Hooked” by Al Brown, illustrated by Hope McConnell, published by Allen and Unwin. Price $36.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman
Al Brown renowned chef and avid angler, has written a book that is bound to be eagerly absorbed by young anglers, male and female and indeed by families wanting to embark on fishing days by the river, lake or seaside. It’s a publication chocker with information and delightfully enhanced by Hope McConnell’s lively illustrations.
Whether fishing freshwater or saltwater, fishing from the jetty or wharf, beach, boat or kayak in saltwater or fly fishing in a river or stream, it’s full of handy information.
Al brown wisely advises patience for a beginner and to realise that fishing is a lifelong learning exercise.
“Something that dawned on me when I was putting all this (book) together was that we fishers never stop learning.” He admits that there’s hardly a day when fishing, he’s not discovering something new.
So what started out to be a beginner’s book has morphed into a book for every angler, novice or even experienced.
He finds fishing a great way to get on top of any personal concerns or worries and to add to that it’s therapeutic.
“I find fishing a great way to clear my head — there is something almost spiritual about being about water. Sometimes it is the vastness, other times the stillness, the deepness or the speed of flowing water.”
The book is full of tips and techniques- knots, baits, hooks, casting and of course in line with the author’s cooking prowess, how to fillet and cook the catch.
The book is an absolute “steal” at $37. Highly recommended.

Let’s encourage kids to go fishing. So good on Al Brown for writing this book and it sounds like the artist and publishers have done a great job. Bravo!