A true fisherman is conservative, provident, not given to envy, considerate of the rights of others and careful of his good name.
He fishes many a day and returns at night to his home hungry, tired and disappointed; but he still has faith in his methods, and is not tempted to try new and more deadly lures. On the contrary, he is willing in all circumstances to give the fish the chance for life which a liberal sporting disposition has determined to be their due; and he will bide his time under old conditions.
He will not indulge his fishing propensity to the extent of the wanton destruction and waste of fish; he will not envy the superior advantages of another in the indulgence of the pastime he loves so well; he will never be known to poach upon the preserves of a fortunate neighbor; and no one will be quicker or more spirited than he in the defense of his fishing honor and character.
An excerpt from Cleveland’s Fishing and Shooting Sketches, published in 1906. Illustrations by Henry S. Watson. Text and images made available by the Internet Archive.
With insight from Joan Wulff and Dave Hughes, Izak Walton and George Orwell, Thomas McGuane and Ernest G. Schwiebert, Jr., and so many more,1,001 Pearls of Fishing Wisdom highlights the joys and frustrations of this beloved sport. In addition to quotes by fishing experts and enthusiasts, Lyons features profiles of some of the most well-respected writers, journalists, and anglers in history, making the collection even more valuable for those not yet familiar with some of the sport’s greatest sages. Buy Now
