PREFACE 



HE information given in the following pages 

 is based, for tlie most part, on experience- 

 Yery few of the methods described have 

 not been carefully tried by me at some time 

 or another. When I have had to borrow 

 from the works of other writers I have 

 duly acknowledged my indebtedness. I 

 must take this opportunity to thank several friends — specialists, 

 I may term them, in various branches of angling — for giving 

 me the benefit of their criticisms. I am particularly indebted 

 to Mr. William Senior, Angling Editor of The Field, for the 

 introductory pages, which contain a graphic description of 

 the delights attending the favourite pastime of an all-round 

 fisherman. 



This is, I believe, the only book which contains an account 

 of all, or nearly all, the known methods, old and new, of 

 catching fresh and salt-water fish with rod and line. Wittingly 

 I have omitted none. Of course, with so many branches of 

 angling to describe, none can be very exhaustively considered. 

 At the same time, I have treated pike-fishing and bottom- 

 fishing as fully as has yet been done; while Division TV. 

 contains information on angling in salt water* far in excess 

 of anything hitherto published. Fly-fishing has been brought 



* This has been also published separately, under the title, " Angling in Salt Water.* 



