Skip to content

Herring: A History of the Silver Darlings

BOOK RELEASE

The story of herring is entwined in the history of commercial fishing. For over two millennia, herring have been commercially caught and its importance to the coastal peoples of Britain cannot be measured. At one point tens of thousands were involved in the catching, processing and sale of herring. They followed the shoals around the coast from Stornoway to Penzance and many towns on Britain’s East Coast grew rich on the backs of the ‘silver darlings’.

Fishing historian Mike Smylie looks at the effects of herring on the people who caught them, their unique ways of life, the superstitions of the fisher folk, their boats and the communities who lived for the silver darlings.  The trouble with Herring is that it doesn’t have a good public image.   It was regarded once as food of the poor and fresh Herring is considered to be bony and unpalatable. If the British public were persuaded to eat at least two Herring a week then we would almost certainly see an improvement in the public’s health.

  • Herring: A History of the Silver DarlingsRevealing the fascinating yet little-known history of the herring.
  • Documenting its importance and versatility.
  • Illustrated with a variety of maps and photographs, both black and white and colour.
  • Mouth watering recipes including Baked Buttered Bloaters, Salmagundy and Super Sgadan.

Mike Smylie, also known as ‘Kipperman’, has been researching the history of the herring for nearly three decades. He has written extensively on fishing vessels and the fishing industry, including Fishing Around Morecambe Bay,  Fishing in Cornwall and Fishing the European Coast for The History Press. He divides his time between Bristol and Greece and can often be spotted at fishing festivals manning his herring smoker. 

Herring: A History of the Silver Darlings
Mike Smylie
Published 13th June 2011, £12.99 hardback
ISBN: 978-0-7524-5951-6

CLICK HERE

WHEN YOU CLICK ON LINKS TO VARIOUS MERCHANTS ON THIS SITE AND MAKE A PURCHASE, THIS CAN RESULT IN THIS SITE EARNING A COMMISSION. AFFILIATE PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE EBAY PARTNER NETWORK AND AMAZON
to check out the price of this book on Amazon UK

Moonglow Silicone Luminous Attractors. Sea fishing, soft beads, glow in the dark

£3.25
in stock
eBay

Mackerel Sea Flec feathers sea fishing 5 Packs UK LISTING Hokki Cod Boat Lures

£6.99
in stock
eBay

Mackerel Tinsel feathers sea fishing 5 Packs UK LISTING Hokki Cod Boat Lures

£6.89
in stock
eBay

12x Packs Fladen Assorted Fishing Mackerel Feathers Sea Boat beach Rigs Lures

£11.95
in stock
eBay

Sea Fishing Lures Saltwater FishiTopwater Spinning Sinking Baits Set 4pcs/13-22g

£14.99
in stock
eBay

5 Fladen Sabiki feather 7 hook size 4 fishing mackerel lure Herring Bait Fish

£7.95
in stock
eBay

Spinning Reel Carp Surf Fishing Spare Spool Size 5000 Bait Feeder Runner Sea

£34.10
in stock
eBay

5 Packs Sabiki 7 hook size 4 fishing mackerel feather lure sea Herring Bait Fish

£7.79
in stock
eBay

FFT® 5 x 22g PHANTO HERRING SPINNER LURE SEA PIER BOAT MACKEREL COD BASS PILE FI

£7.99
in stock
eBay