Fishing History From the Early Years to the Present Day

The history of angling dates back to the veryTechnological advances and the use of more
beginnings of civilisation.lightweight materials in tackle production continue
Many of the earliest references to angling areapace, with state-of-the art tackle technology
documented in a book called 'Fishing From Earliestgiving ardent anglers a distinct edge over the
Times', by William Radcliffe (published in 1926).competition. For example, fly fishing lines now
Although this largely academic work about theexist that are supposed to be undetectable by
origins of angling is generally only available infish, while new technology nylon monofilament
specialist reference libraries, it is nevertheless anlines are producing better results due to their
invaluable account of the history of angling,longer casting capabilities and better bite detection.
throughout the ages. It focuses primarily on theAngling: Fascinating Historic Facts
archaeological evidence of angling in ancient Egypt,Did you know that ...
Greece and Rome and further afield.- A painting dating back to 1195 by the Chinese
Interestingly, the author concludes from theartist, Ma Yuan, depicts an angler using a fishing
welter of archaeological data available that thereel. This piece of art is considered to be one of
early Egyptians were probably the first anglers onearliest examples of the use of a fishing reel.
record to use a rudimentary form of the modern- Some of the earliest references to the use of
fishing rod. He also found that fishing with a linethe rod date back to around 2000 BC. But it is
and hook was widespread during thebelieved that the Romans first introduced a longer
Graeco-Roman period. References to fishing canstyle of rod which was divided into sections.
be found in the poetry of Homer, the Greek- The earliest fish hooks were made out of horn,
writer, during the 9th century BC; the Roman,bone, wood or stone and sharpened at both ends.
Claudius Aelianus (c. A.D. 175 - 235), makes aThe oldest existing remains of these primitive
fascinating allusion to an early form of fly fishing.types of hooks were excavated in the former
The use of hooks is also mentioned in the Bible.Czechoslovakia and are said to be over 20,000
Evolution of Anglingyears old.
Opinion differs as to exactly when angling made- Anglers, during the Middle Ages, used fishing lines
the transition from necessity as a food-gatheringmade out of horse hair and tied to the end of a
activity to a pastime and sport in its own right.long pole.
The general consensus of opinion amongst- 'Barkers Delight' (Thomas Barker, 1651) is
authorities on the subject of the evolution ofgenerally accepted as the first exhaustive book
British angling suggests that the process wason fly fishing in the English language; it also
gradual, and took place over the centuries. It hascontains one of the earliest references to the
also been suggested that one of the main factorsterm 'reel' used for storing a fishing line. A later
responsible for transforming fishing into a sportedition, published in 1659 contains an illustration of
was the development of the rod.a reel, with a winch-like device in the form of a
Of course, the frisson associated with landing thebasic spool and crank wind reel.
perfect catch, whether for food or fun, has been- Izaak Walton's 'The Complete Angler', 1653,
part of the angling experience since timedespite being an important milestone in the history
immemorial.of angling, has come under attack from certain
Much of the credit, however, for popularisingacademic quarters for its lack of originality and for
angling as an exhilarating sport and pastime can bere-hashing the content of an earlier work,
attributed to Izaak Walton's book 'The Compleatpublished, in 1651, called 'Barkers Delight' or the
Angler' (first edition 1653). This definitive work on'Art of Angling'.
the history of angling is recognised not only for its- In the latter part of the eighteenth century,
literary merit, but also for its comprehensive andNottingham became known for its production of a
enthusiastic coverage on the subject of angling.design of fishing reel based on the wooden lace
The book is cram-packed with technical detail andbobbins used for making the famous
sophisticated tips on improving the passionateNottinghamshire lace.
angler's fishing techniques; it also advocates the- By the early nineteenth century, the town of
notion of 'fair play' and giving fish a sportingRedditch, Worcestershire, was a world leading
chance using baited hooks, rods and lines. It is nocentre for the manufacture and export of fish
coincidence that in the years following thehooks.
publication of 'The Compleat Angler', sales of- Holden Illingworth, a British textile worker from
fishing tackle increased considerably as more andBradford, invented the fixed-spool reel, in 1905.
more people became 'hooked' on the sport!Angling ... more than just a sport, more than a
Popularity of Anglingpastime ...
The first British angling club was set up in 1792, inThere's much more to this enduringly popular
Dagenham, Essex. Thereafter, angling associationssport than meets the eye, as any angling
sprang up across Britain and began to play anenthusiast will tell you. Over the centuries, anglers
important role in British society, particularly duringand writers have waxed lyrical about the joys of
the nineteenth century and the height of theangling and the pleasures associated with this
Industrial Revolution. But, it has to be said that notsubtly mesmerising sport.
all of the fishing activity, during these hard timesThe history of angling is peppered with engaging
was above board; poaching was commonplacedescriptions, prose and poetry about escaping into
and pollution of fishing waters a major problem.a world of peace, tranquillity and beautiful
In the main, however, angling was seen as one oflandscapes, of silent communication with nature,
the few sports that could be enjoyed by peopleof getting to know yourself through the art of
of all ages and abilities, by the rich and the poor,angling. This was true, for example, in the writings
alike. This was clearly a pastime that transcendedof Izaak Walton (1593 to 1683), regarded as the
class or social status and by the beginning of the'father of freshwater fishing' when he likened
twentieth century, angling as a sport and pastimeangling to poetry. Walton was referring here to
was widespread; its appeal universally established.the relaxation, the uplifting environment, passion
During the twentieth century, Britain's anglingand inspiration that seize the ardent angler in the
organisations further promoted the sport andpursuit of his sport.
raised its profile by calling for legislation to controlThis magical connection is just as true today and
water pollution and to protect fish stocks inpossibly even more relevant in the hurried and
designated angling locations.stressful environment of the twenty-first century.
Today, in the twenty-first century, angling is oneIn his book entitled 'John Bailey's Complete Guide
of the most popular participation sports with anto Fishing' (2001), the author, passionate angler
estimated 3 million plus anglers in Britain alone,and authority on contemporary fishing techniques
taking part in this hugely rewarding sport, on astates: 'The great thing about fishing is that it is
regular basis. Angling and its associated industriessuch a multi-dimensional activity ... that it is hard to
is big business and despite concerns about pollutionknow where to begin - or stop - singing its
and dwindling fish stocks, in certain areas, thepraises. Above everything else, fishing gets you
global passion for angling shows no signs ofinto some wonderful environments'.
abating.The love affair with angling continues.