Editing, Fly-fishing, Flyfishers' Journal, London, Writing

The Flyfishers’ Journal: Winter 2013

Flyfishers' Journal Winter 2013

Following the very sad and sudden passing of the great fly-fishing and environmental writer Peter Lapsley in July last year, I’ve been honoured to be asked to assume the Editorship of the Flyfishers’ Journal – the biannual magazine of the ancient and storied London-based Flyfishers’ Club.

Truth to tell, I’d already been nominated as Peter’s backstop in case he ever “got hit by a low-flying cow” (or more likely fell off another Egyptian pyramid – a trick he’d started developing in 2011). But when the moment arrived, hardly any of us really saw it coming. Certainly not me.

By popular demand the Winter 2013 issue of the Flyfishers’ Journal is dedicated to Peter’s memory.

Fittingly, I think, it leads with his own account of being the real fishing writer behind the international publishing phenomenon that was JR Hartley. Neil Patterson’s moving tribute to his staunchest fishing pal appears in the Appreciations section: in between, there’s a great article from Orri Vigfusson on the NASF and the real possibility of a new Greenland salmon war, a Letter from America penned by Greg Belcamino (similarly new Editor of the New York Anglers’ Club Bulletin), a vintage straw mayfly recipe from Andrew Herd, and much more.

Needless to say, I’m immensely grateful to Neil and everyone else who helped me get this first issue successfully pulled together and delivered before Christmas. Feedback has been positive so far… I’ll do my best to keep it that way.