The Complete Angler

[The Royal Coachman]

By Izakk Walton. Has anybody read this book? Does anybody know of an edition written in modern English?

Also, how about James Prosek's version about going to England to fish in Walton's footsteps?

 

[AKSkim]

James Prosek's book The Complete Angler was on

AK Skim's book of the month list for three months.

Even though he is a Yale graduate, he doesn't use a
whole lot of big words.

I also recommend his ESPN DVD.

For those that read even slower.

 

[Randyflycaster]

I've tried to read The Complete Angler several times. Just couldn't get into it. I found the writing very difficult, and I didn't find the so called "ideas" especially interesting.

I've heard the Cotton part is much more readable.


Randy

 

[Dusty Miller]

The fact that a book is historically important doesn't necessarily mean good. Walton's book is not one for learning about fly fishing, although as Randy says, Cotton's addition does have some useful information.

In my family, we were always told to finish what we started, and if we picked up a book we had to finish it. It won't kill you to read it through, so at least if someone refers to Walton's Milkmaid you'll know what he's talking about.

Your pal,
Dusty

 

[AKSkim]

The fact that a book is historically important doesn't necessarily mean good.
Your pal,
Dusty

Dear Santa:

Hate to bring it up.. but didn't Walton actually fish with worms?

You friend, Arthur K. Skim

PS

Please put coal in Petie-Po's stocking.

 

[The Royal Coachman]

Please......NO BAIT FISHING POST HERE.

Take it over to GST

 

[Dusty Miller]

Dear Santa:

Hate to bring it up.. but didn't Walton actually fish with worms?

You friend, Arthur K. Skim

PS

Please put coal in Petie-Po's stocking.

Yup. Cotton was the fly fisher, Walton seems to have been omnipiscatorous. BTW, if you can find a copy of "Classic Fishing Stories" edited by Nick Lyon, there's a great brief parody of "The Compleat Angler" called "A Conference" by none other than Lewis Carroll/Charles Dodgson, with the usual mathematical implications.

PS

Thanks for the input; I'm making a list and checking it twice.