Publishers are trying hard to rectify this problem, but they have a long way to go. Each year some progress is made with the publication of several hundred new books. Let's hope they keep up the good work. If you love to fish, there are several crutches that will help you get through the off season. Heavy drinking works but is, of course, unhealthy. Fishing videos are briefly entertaining, but ultimately are shallow and boring. Fly tying is an interesting distraction- but you can't do it in bed, unless you sleep alone and don't mind inhaling chicken feathers. Fishing books are the answer. They are visually pleasing, feel good in your hands and you can take them anywhere. The horror of an airport layover, the isolation of a lonely cabin, the turmoil of a busy workday - all of that can vanish through the magic of a good book. Here are a few that have come our way over the past few years, that have left an impression.

To Know A River, A Haig-Brown Reader. Selected Writings by Fly-Fishing's Literary Master. Douglas & McIntyre. $35. (All prices Canadian)

For those of you who don't know that the late Roderick Haig-Brown, of Campbell River, British Columbia, is one of the world's best fishing writers, it's time to play catch up. If you've read Haig-Brown's masterpieces, like A River Never Sleeps, there's nothing new here, and indeed it might seem a little musty. But this book, edited by Valerie Haig-Brown and introduced by Thomas McGuane, provides a wonderful introduction to the master's writings.

There are selections here from all his best books. The essays are finely edited and grouped in a sensible way. The pieces stand alone and at the same time they fit nicely together, giving you an appreciation of Haig-Brown's great talent. The book, beautifully designed by Lynne Amft, is in the old style of fishing books with attractive black and white illustrations by Louis Darling that perfectly capture the mood of Haig-Brown's writing. Start here, then go on to read the rest of his great works. . .

River of the Angry Moon - Season on the Bella Coola. Mark Hume with Harvey Thommasen. Greystone Books and University of Washington Press. $26.95 hardcover; $16.95 in paperback.

This book is by our own web site editor and we are too modest to review it here. Let the words of other critics suffice:

"This is the finest book I have ever read about a salmon and steelhead river." - Frank Amato, Salmon Trout Steelheader magazine.

"A powerful important book." - Joel Connelly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

"Commands attention. . .through the sheer grace of its language." - Barbara McMichael, Tacoma News Tribune.

"Powerful . . . the book is one for the ages." - Neil Cameron, BC Outdoors.

"Anyone who likes to fish. . .or just go exploring on the West Coast should read this book. . .it will give them some real joy." - Sid Marty, National Post.

"It carries the spirit of the coast straight into your heart." - Gene Woodwick, The North Coast News.

"The sheer power of River of the Angry Moon. . .is phenomenal." - Angela Hall, Coast Mountain News.

"An incredible book." - Ross Purnell, Virtual Flyshop.

Steelhead Country - Angling in Northwest Waters. By Steve Raymond. Sasquatch Books. $13.50.

No review of angling literature would be complete without reference to Steve Raymond, whose five books are all beautifully written.

In Steelhead Country, Raymond writes with the purpose and passion we have come to expect. This is one writer who makes you feel like you're right beside him, in waders up to your chest, feeling the river and watching him make long, probing casts.

His first book, Kamloops, is still a master study of the trout of the same name, 30 years after it was published. Steelhead Country stands on its own, but if you haven't read Raymond, you'll get the whole collection. Certainly no trip to the British Columbia Interior can be fully appreciated without first having read Kamloops, nor can any steelhead trip anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. Like Haig-Brown, he's a treasure.