Oops!  I have fallen foul of the little devil of assumption that regularly makes an ass of you and me.  My reference to Jo Orchard - Lisle's book on fishing huts brought a surprise response from the author herself.  I am staggered that these often incoherent jottings which were  intended mainly to keep MAA members in contact with their fishery should find their way into a wider consciousness.  I am duly chastened, but it does perhaps raise an important issue.  Why does the MAA (and many other angling clubs) have so few female members and why do I therefore make the assumption that a book about fishing huts is written by a bloke?  Do we indirectly discourage women from applying for membership through some thoughtless way in which we present ourselves and our sport and should we do something to encourage more women to join?  Something to ponder over your toast and marmalade this morning.

Despite my faux pas Jo has very kindly sent me some extracts from her book which looks to be a work lovingly crafted and beautifully illustrated.  It should have a place on every piscators bookshelf.

Sorry Jo.

Bookshelves.  There's another thought.  As many of you will know the MAA once had one of the finest libraries of fishing books in the north of England.  This was disposed of some years ago and whilst the decision to sell it off was taken for valid reasons, in retrospect this was a sad loss.  Whilst we can't replace what has gone it may well be possible to build up a small library of volumes that members might find of interest.  We could start this off with an appeal for donations of books that have ceased to demand their place on members own bookshelves.  The refurbished hut will be dry and warm enough in season to house these safely in a bookcase and in off season they can be stored away in suitable containers in the storage we plan to build in the hut.  Something else to mull over during the closed season.

Ian