History of Fishing

The history of fishing is a long and storied one.  It goes back nearly as far as the fish themselves. Fishing history began with the people of ancient times when they began fishing for food, and pieces of bone were used as hooks and lengths of vine as line. Perhaps the oldest known painting of an angler using a fishing rod or staff comes from Egypt and is dated at about 2000 BC. The Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle mentioned fishing in some of their writings, and another Greek writer, Plutarch, may have been the first fishing teacher.  He gave tips about fishing lines. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Roman orator Claudius Aelian wrote about Macedonian trout fishing using artificial flies as lures.

Methods and Equipment

The methods and tackle used for fishing developed slowly through the centuries, and it was not until the late 15th century that sportfishing as it is now known really began. In 1496 the book A Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle (hook) gave specific details for the first time in the English language about the use of the fishing rod. This treatise was written by Dame Juliana Berners, the prioress of an abbey near Saint Albans, England, The book describes the process of construction of hooks and rods for fishing. The manuscript also describes knot tying on fishing lines and how to create and use artificial lures and flies  thus taking advantage of the feeding habits of game fish. Her precepts were the basis of fishing knowledge in England for nearly 150 years.

In 1653, English fisherman Izaak Walton published "The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man's Recreation", This book became the single most influential book that has been ever published about sportfishing. In The Compleat Angler Walton addresses the art of constructing tackle, the science of basic aquatic biology, and the philosophy of recreational fishermen. The book was based on a lifetime of observations by Walton, His  book describes the craftsmanship required to make fishing tackle and ponders the methods fishermen must use to catch game fish. Walton also gives detailed accounts of feeding habits and life cycles of different species. He believed that the one true fisherman is one who fishes for the love of fishing and that catching fish by sporting means is by far superior to other methods of fishing.

Since Walton's time, anglers have continually improved their knowledge of fish behavior, tactics, and fishing gear . At the same time, many of the sport's proponents have realized the that unless fishing resources were protected, this activity would cease to exist. Two Americans that were notable anglers and writers include  Lee Wulff, whose books contain anecdotes and intricate details about fly fishing, anwho have helped to popularize the sport and A. J. McClane, the author of numerous fishing guidebooks.

Through the years, sportfishing has been dominated by men., In the late 20th century the sport was taken up by women in increasing numbers. Books by American fly-fishing instructors such as Joan Wulff have resulted in fly-fishing schools, organizations, and specially designed tackle for women. The increased participation of women has been responsible for the growth in sportsfishing.