Pete Tyjas takes a look at Theo Pike's latest book and listens carefully to the important message he is passing on when it comes to invasive species.
Angling writer Theo Pike has followed up his most excellent Trout in Dirty Places with a well thought out and very useful guide – The Pocket Guide To Balsam Bashing.
To many of us fly anglers, Himalyan Balsam is a common and unwelcome sight on our river banks. Many of us do our bit by pulling up as many of them as we can and do our best to try and keep it under control.
Theo takes a look at Himalyan Balsam along with 37 other invasive species we encounter in the great outdoors. From American Skunk Cabbage to Zebra Mussels via The Spanish Slug we are told a little about the species, its latin name so we can impress our friends and how we can do our bit to alert the relevant authorities where possible and staying the correct side of any laws we can do something about it.
The book is thoughtfully put together, easy to use and is of a size that will fit in a fishing bag or fishing waistcoat pocket.
I have found myself clutching the book whilst examining Bluebells to see whether they are native or not (they were) and I also now know the difference between the Harlequin Ladybird and the Native British Ladybirds.
The 96 pages are really interesting, informative and remind me a little of the Observer series of books I enjoyed reading when I was younger.
All in all, it is a really great book that tells us about the impact invasive species have on our environment but more importantly tells us what we can do about them.
Good work Theo.
The Pocket Guide to Balsam Bashing is published by Merlin Unwin http://www.merlinunwin.co.uk/