Travelling hopefully

There can be few sportsmen who do not owe much of their enthusiasm and knowledge to receiving sound guidance from a mentor when they were young. Many of us must have a clear memory of such a hero — often a grandfather, father or uncle — who, recognising a kindred spirit, was able to recapture his own youth by guiding a youngster on the paths he should follow. Gunstocks were eagerly, and often recklessly, shortened to fit the novice, small rods and spare tackle hunted out, ill-fitting oilskins provided and Christmas and birthday presents carefully chosen to foster the interest.

More important than the kitting out was the