Angler's Mail Magazine – 16 August 1997 – British Record Barbel 16lb 5oz – Vintage Fishing Weekly

Original Vintage British Fishing Magazine | Week Ending 16 August 1997 | 72 Pages Advertised

An original vintage edition of Angler's Mail, Britain's popular all-colour fishing news weekly, dated week ending 16 August 1997.

This fascinating issue features a major front-cover report concerning a 16lb 5oz British record barbel, accompanied by a striking full-colour photograph of the enormous fish being held by an angler.

Other major features include an unusual increase in perch catches associated with young fish, controversy surrounding hot luncheon meat and fish bait, practical pole-fishing advice, specialist carp-fishing techniques, and extensive British match-fishing results.

The magazine also contains tackle reviews, venue guides, river and canal fishing information, sea-angling coverage and contributions from well-known angling journalists.

An interesting original publication for collectors of vintage fishing magazines, British barbel records, specimen coarse fishing, traditional tackle and 1990s angling history.

Front Cover – 16lb 5oz British Record Barbel

The main cover headline prominently announces:

16 LB 5 OZ BRITISH RECORD BARBEL

The central photograph shows a male angler holding an exceptionally large barbel horizontally across his body.

Detailed Cover Photograph

The photograph features:

• A male angler with short, light-brown hair.

• A dark jacket or fishing top.

• A large, deep-bodied barbel supported carefully with both hands.

• Distinctive golden-bronze scales covering the fish's body.

• A darker grey-brown back.

• Broad pectoral and pelvic fins.

• A long, dark tail fin.

• A prominent head with the distinctive mouth structure associated with barbel.

• A neutral outdoor background keeping attention on the fish.

The impressive size of the specimen is particularly noticeable in comparison with the angler's upper body.

The fish occupies much of the front-cover photograph, making this an especially attractive issue for collectors interested in historic specimen catches.

The original photograph is accompanied by the magazine's bold red masthead and large cream-coloured headline lettering.

British Barbel Record Controversy

The interior photograph shows the beginning of a news report concerning the 16lb 5oz British barbel record.

The article discusses the record claim and questions surrounding its recognition.

The visible headline begins with the words "Barbel" and "Be Cla...", while the article text describes a dispute involving the circumstances of the catch.

The report refers to a barbel caught by Ray Wood, with discussion of an expected submission and the difficulties surrounding recognition of the record.

It mentions the East Londoner and refers to the fish being caught from the River Ouse.

The article also describes disagreement over a claim involving a photograph of the fish.

This makes the magazine particularly interesting as a contemporary record of the debates and disagreements surrounding British specimen-fishing records during the late 1990s.

The listing describes the original reporting and claims made in the magazine rather than independently confirming the record's official status.

Motherless Minnows Prompt Perch Boom

Another prominent front-cover headline reads:

MOTHERLESS MINNOWS PROMPT PERCH BOOM!

This feature relates to an unusual development in perch fishing.

The contents page identifies an article titled "Alien Midgets Boost Perch" on page 6.

The report is of interest to anglers researching perch populations, freshwater fish behaviour and changes in British coarse-fishing waters.

It reflects the magazine's emphasis on unusual fishing developments and contemporary angling news.

Is Hot Meat Too Much for Fish to Swallow?

The lower portion of the front cover contains another striking headline:

IS HOT MEAT TOO MUCH FOR FISH TO SWALLOW?

The contents page confirms a related news item titled:

"Are We Burning Fishes' Throats?" – Page 4

The report concerns questions surrounding the use of heated bait, particularly the practice of using luncheon meat in coarse fishing.

The original article reflects contemporary discussion about bait preparation and fish welfare.

A circular photograph on the front cover shows a packet of Peperami, with several pieces of the meat product arranged alongside it.

This is an interesting example of the unconventional baits discussed by coarse anglers during the 1990s.

The issue is particularly appealing to readers interested in historic baiting methods, barbel fishing and the development of modern coarse-fishing techniques.

Carp World – Colin Davidson

The contents page confirms a regular Carp World section by Colin Davidson.

Pages 16–17 – Colin Davidson's Carp World

The article is introduced with the subtitle:

"It's all a matter of taste!"

This regular feature provides period commentary on carp fishing and the techniques, equipment and baiting methods being discussed at the time.

It is of interest to collectors of vintage carp-fishing literature and anglers researching the development of specimen carp fishing in Britain.

Andy Little's Big Fish Hunt

Pages 20–23 – Andy Little's Big Fish Hunt

The contents page advertises:

"It's Japanese bream to the rescue"

Andy Little was a recognised name in British specimen-fishing journalism, and this feature forms part of the magazine's specialist instruction section.

The article combines big-fish angling with practical fishing knowledge and an unusual reference to Japanese bream.

For collectors interested in historic specimen-fishing techniques and angling personalities, this represents another notable feature.

How to Master the Pole

Pages 24–25 – How to Master the Pole

This practical instructional feature concentrates on pole-fishing equipment and techniques.

The contents page describes the article as:

"If you're after lumps, you'll want these rigs"

A colour illustration in the contents section shows several pole-fishing floats, rig components and tackle arrangements.

The photograph includes:

• Different float shapes and sizes.

• Coloured float tips.

• Fishing line and rig components.

• Small tackle accessories.

• Equipment laid out for comparison.

This feature offers an insight into the pole rigs and tackle arrangements used by British coarse anglers in 1997.

Carp Fishing in Close-Up – Silver Fox Richards

Pages 26–27 – Carp Fishing in Close-Up

This instructional feature is credited to Silver Fox Richards.

The contents page explains that he puts bait under the microscope.

The article is relevant to anglers interested in bait presentation, fish-feeding behaviour and traditional carp-fishing techniques.

Its focus on small details of bait and feeding methods reflects the growing technical sophistication of specimen fishing during the 1990s.

Venue Attack – Specialist Fishing Advice

Page 28 – Venue Attack

The magazine advertises a feature with the description:

"Dobbing with a pole – you've never seen anything like it!"

This article concerns a particular pole-fishing approach and offers practical information for coarse anglers.

It provides another example of the specialist techniques featured within the publication.

Where to Fish – British Fishing Venues

A substantial section of the magazine is dedicated to fishing locations.

The contents page confirms the following regional venue guides:

• Pages 36–37 – North

• Pages 38–39 – Midlands

• Pages 40–41 – South

• Pages 42–47 – Stillwater Network

• Pages 50–53 – Rivers and Canals

The Stillwater Network is introduced as a guide to the fishing waters and businesses associated with the network.

The Rivers and Canals section provides a guide to fishing locations for anglers interested in rivers, canals and established coarse-fishing venues.

These features may be useful for collectors researching historic fishing venues, fisheries and day-ticket waters.

They provide a snapshot of the fishing opportunities available to anglers during August 1997.

Tackle Reviews and Equipment

The magazine contains its regular fishing tackle section.

Page 31 – Swap Shop

Second-hand fishing equipment and angling bargains.

Pages 32–33 – Gear Guide

The contents describe this section as:

"New products reviewed by our experts"

The Gear Guide provides contemporary information on fishing equipment and accessories.

This is of particular interest to collectors of 1990s fishing tackle, as original magazine reviews can document period products, specifications and equipment trends.

Sea Fishing and Coastal Angling

The magazine also includes a substantial sea-fishing section.

Sea Prospects

Pages 52–55 – Sea Prospects

This feature provides information on coastal fishing opportunities and where anglers might find success from shore or boat.

World Champ Clark's Shore Talk

Page 55 – World Champ Clark's Shore Talk

A specialist contribution covering sea-angling topics.

Tide Tables

Page 56 – Tide Tables

Original tidal information for readers planning coastal fishing trips in August 1997.

Top Marks – Mappleton

Page 57 – Top Marks: Mappleton

A feature relating to the coastal fishing location of Mappleton.

Sea Match Special

Pages 56–57 – Sea Match Special

Additional coverage of competitive sea angling.

These articles provide a period record of British sea-fishing venues, competitions and coastal angling practices.

Match Fishing – Results and Competitions

The magazine contains an extensive match-fishing section covering competitions across Britain.

Weekend Results

Pages 61–67 – Weekend Results

The contents describe this section as a round-up of Open events from rivers, lakes and canals around Britain.

Drennan Super Leagues

Page 63 – Drennan Super Leagues

Coverage of regional match-fishing competition results.

Fish'O'Mania Final

Page 65 – Fish'O'Mania Final

The contents page highlights a major competition with a £25,000 prize at Hayfield.

This is of particular interest to collectors of historic Fish'O'Mania reports and British match-fishing history.

Matchplan

Pages 68–69 – Matchplan

Competition dates and match-fishing information.

Fantasy Fishing

Page 70 – Fantasy Fishing

The contents page refers to July's winners and a top 50 list.

Division 1 National Preview

Page 71 – Division 1 National Preview

An advance look at the Division 1 National competition.

These features provide extensive contemporary coverage of the British competitive coarse-fishing scene in 1997.

Fishing News and Editorial Features

The photographed contents page identifies several additional news stories.

News

• Page 4 – Are We Burning Fishes' Throats?

• Page 5 – Britain's Anglers in Court

• Page 6 – Alien Midgets Boost Perch

• Page 8 – Win a Day's Fishing With Stars

• Page 10 – Bream in Ethnic Cleansing

• Page 12 – Weed Choked Canal Fury

• Page 13 – DAM Fish of the Week

Comment and Readers' Contributions

• Page 14 – Richworth Mailbag

• Page 15 – Doc Spot

• Pages 28–29 – Problem Solver

The Problem Solver section invites readers to submit angling questions and queries for expert advice.

These regular departments illustrate the magazine's mixture of news reporting, practical information, specialist opinion and reader participation.

Editor's Opinion – Roy Westwood

The photographed interior contains an editorial column by Roy Westwood, the magazine's editor.

The column is titled:

"Kick It Into Touch!"

The article discusses the government's review of fisheries laws and the implications for angling administration.

It raises concerns about the role of the Environment Agency, fishing licence arrangements and changes affecting fisheries staff.

The editorial also refers to the work of fisheries bailiffs and concerns regarding staffing and the management of rivers.

This article is an interesting contemporary record of debates about fishing regulation, fisheries management and environmental policy during the late 1990s.

The presence of the original editorial adds historical interest beyond the magazine's fishing reports and specimen-catch photographs.

Full Visible Contents – 16 August 1997

The photographed contents page confirms the following sections.

News and Editorial

• Page 4 – Are We Burning Fishes' Throats?

• Page 5 – Britain's Anglers in Court

• Page 6 – Alien Midgets Boost Perch

• Page 8 – Win a Day's Fishing With Stars

• Page 10 – Bream in Ethnic Cleansing

• Page 12 – Weed Choked Canal Fury

• Page 13 – DAM Fish of the Week

• Page 14 – Richworth Mailbag

• Page 15 – Doc Spot

• Pages 16–17 – Colin Davidson's Carp World

Instruction

• Pages 20–23 – Andy Little's Big Fish Hunt

• Pages 24–25 – How to Master the Pole

• Pages 26–27 – Carp Fishing in Close-Up

• Page 28 – Venue Attack

• Pages 28–29 – Problem Solver

Fishing Locations

• Pages 36–37 – North

• Pages 38–39 – Midlands

• Pages 40–41 – South

• Pages 42–47 – Stillwater Network

• Pages 50–53 – Rivers and Canals

Tackle

• Page 31 – Swap Shop

• Pages 32–33 – Gear Guide

Sea Fishing

• Pages 52–55 – Sea Prospects

• Page 55 – World Champ Clark's Shore Talk

• Page 56 – Tide Tables

• Page 57 – Top Marks: Mappleton

• Pages 56–57 – Sea Match Special

Match Fishing

• Pages 61–67 – Weekend Results

• Page 63 – Drennan Super Leagues

• Page 65 – Fish'O'Mania Final

• Pages 68–69 – Matchplan

• Page 70 – Fantasy Fishing

• Page 71 – Division 1 National Preview

The magazine's cover advertises 72 action-packed pages, demonstrating the wide range of angling subjects included in this edition.

Why This Issue Is Collectable

Historic British Barbel Record Coverage

The 16lb 5oz British record barbel headline and associated contemporary reporting are especially interesting to specimen-fishing collectors.

Original Large Barbel Photograph

The dramatic front-cover photograph is an attractive feature for collectors interested in historic record catches.

Late-1990s Carp Fishing

Regular contributions from Colin Davidson and other specialist anglers provide a period insight into carp-fishing methods.

Andy Little Fishing Feature

The inclusion of Andy Little's Big Fish Hunt adds interest for collectors of well-known British angling personalities.

Fish'O'Mania History

The magazine includes coverage of the Fish'O'Mania final and its substantial competition prize.

Historic Fishing Tackle

The Gear Guide, Swap Shop and instructional features record fishing equipment and techniques used in 1997.

British Match-Fishing Results

Extensive competition reports preserve details of competitive angling during the period.

Fishing Venue Information

The regional guides provide historic information about rivers, canals, fisheries and stillwaters.

Fishing Regulation and Conservation

The editor's column provides an insight into fisheries policy discussions in the late 1990s.

Publication Details

Magazine: Angler's Mail

Full Issue Date: Week Ending 16 August 1997

Original Cover Price: 90p

Publisher: IPC Magazines Ltd

Country: United Kingdom

Language: English

Format: Vintage Weekly Fishing Magazine

Advertised Length: 72 Pages

Main Subjects: Barbel Fishing, Carp Fishing, Perch, Coarse Fishing, Match Fishing, Sea Angling and Fishing Tackle

Featured Names: Ray Wood, Roy Westwood, Colin Davidson and Andy Little

SKU: 1588

Condition – Please Read Carefully

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related wear, rubbing, creasing and some edge damage.

This is an original fishing magazine from August 1997 and has been previously handled and stored.

The photographs show the actual magazine being offered.

Front Cover Condition

The front cover retains its distinctive bright red background, large Angler's Mail masthead and full-colour photograph of the exceptionally large barbel.

The main image and lettering remain clearly readable.

However, visible imperfections include:

• General surface rubbing and light scuffing.

• Minor marks across the printed cover.

• Wear along the left-hand spine edge.

• Small areas of rubbing and paper wear near the binding.

• A slight bend and wear at the upper-left corner.

• Minor corner rounding.

• Light creasing around the edges.

• Some waviness and unevenness along the top edge.

• Wear and rubbing along the lower edge.

• Small creases and marks near the bottom border.

• Slight bending near the lower-right corner.

• Age-related discolouration around some paper edges.

• General handling wear consistent with a magazine of this age.

The front-cover image remains attractive and the principal headlines are clearly visible.

Spine and Binding

The photographed spine area shows signs of use.

There is visible rubbing and minor paper wear along the left-hand edge.

The magazine has previously been opened and read.

The photographed interior remains attached, although the full binding cannot be assessed from the available images.

Interior Page Condition

The photographed contents page remains readable and retains its original blue, black, orange and green printed headings.

The interior shows:

• Light age-related yellowing.

• Slight paper waviness.

• Minor handling marks.

• A small crease near the upper edge.

• Light corner and edge wear.

• Some creasing around the central fold.

• Minor discolouration consistent with age.

The photographed pages appear reasonably well preserved for their age, with readable text and clear printed illustrations.

The whole magazine has not been inspected page by page, so complete pagination cannot be guaranteed.

Overall Condition

Good used vintage condition, with noticeable age-related cover and edge wear.

The magazine is not mint or unread, but it remains an attractive original example with a strong front-cover photograph and interesting historic angling content.

Please examine the supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the actual item available.

Important – Original Extras and Additional Items

This listing is for the original magazine only.

Any free gifts, promotional items, loose inserts, supplements, accessories or other additional items that may originally have accompanied this edition are no longer included.

Any competitions, offers or promotions printed within the magazine are historical and should be regarded as expired.

Only the magazine shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

Packaging and Delivery

The magazine will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Dispatched in a sturdy cardboard mail-size box for additional protection.

Ideal for Collectors Of

• Vintage Angler's Mail magazines.

• Original August 1997 fishing publications.

• British barbel records.

• Historic specimen barbel catches.

• Ray Wood fishing reports.

• River Ouse angling history.

• Large barbel photography.

• Specimen coarse fishing.

• British carp-fishing magazines.

• Colin Davidson's Carp World.

• Andy Little fishing articles.

• Traditional pole fishing.

• Original 1990s fishing tackle.

• Fish'O'Mania competitions.

• Drennan Super Leagues.

• British match-fishing history.

• Sea-angling publications.

• Historic British fishing venues.

• Roy Westwood editorials.

• Vintage sporting newspapers and magazines.

Summary

An original Angler's Mail magazine dated 16 August 1997, featuring a dramatic 16lb 5oz British record barbel front-cover story, contemporary discussion of the record claim, unusual perch-fishing developments, specimen carp-fishing features, practical tackle advice and extensive British match-fishing coverage.

With its distinctive full-colour front cover and 72 advertised pages of original 1990s angling content, this issue represents an interesting item for fishing enthusiasts and vintage-magazine collectors.

Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition with visible rubbing, creasing, minor edge wear and age-related handling marks. Please inspect the photographs carefully.

Magazine only – any originally supplied additional items are not included.

SKU: 1588