The Complete Angler

                                                       The Complete Ang

www.thecompelteangler.net                                                       The Complete Angler by  Izaak Walton & Charles Cotton

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                                         The Complete Angler - Izaak  Walton and Charles Cotton.

   This free online copy of the Complete (compleat) Angler is made available by  www.trout-net.co.uk to encourage interest in the history of angling for schools, researchers and anglers with an interest in the history of  fishing. The Complete Angler is probably the worlds most famous fishing book. Izaak Walton was born  near Stafford in England in 1593. He began his literary career with a biography of the famous English poet John Donne in 1640, which was highly acclaimed and was followed by four more successful  biographies. It was in 1653 that Izaak  wrote The Compleat Angler which has become one of the most beloved and reprinted books in the English language. After its publication in 1653,  Izaak continued to add to the book for another 25 years. Today The Compleat Angler or the Contemplative Man’s Recreation, is not just an interesting fishing book,  it also provides the reader with a valuable insight into country life in the seventeenth Century. Izaak Walton has left a written legacy for all anglers that has stood the test of time. The Compleat Angler celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2003. More information on the life of Isaak Walton and The Complete Angler can also be found under  trout fishing links. Although Walton fished for pleasure he acknowledged that he knew nothing about fly- fishing .The Complete Angler is a slightly eccentric book that has endeared itself to many thousands  of people who also know nothing about fly fishing ( or indeed anything about fishing at all ). Izaak’s friend Charles Cotton helped him in the matter of fly fishing by supplementing  latter editions of the work included here.

  Part one of The Complete Angler  begins with a dedication to John Offley in which amongst other things Walton sets forth his argument that angling is an art and worthy of being acknowledged thus. He then introduces his subject not only to the ordinary reader (but especially to the honest angler).This is then followed by some commendatory verses of the complete angler. This sets out the general theme of this wonderful fishing book. Part 2 of The Compleat Angler includes an apology by Charles Cotton for adding to his friends great work. Please enjoy this free online copy of The Complete Angler.