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Popular Mechanics How to Tempt a Fish: A Complete Guide to Fishing

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Filled with more fishing lore than one angler could amass in a lifetime, here is a classic volume that could come only from the editors of Popular Mechanics. Originally published in 1950, How to Tempt a Fish draws its knowledge from expert fishermen of all stripes—fly, lake, surf, deep-sea, and even ice fishing enthusiasts.
Unique in that it covers so many aspects of one of America’s favorite individual sports (there are at least 44 million people who fish in the United States alone), it offers insider advice that has stood the test of time. Among the topics covered in wonderful classic black-and-white line illustrations are: fly casting, bait casting, and salt-water fishing; gathering and using live bait; caring for your rods; tying knots and splices; and retrieving lost lures and lines. There’s also guidance on when and where to fish; how to fish through the ice; how to mount your own prizecatches; how to stock a fish pond; how to cook in camp, and so much more.

Plus, there are the many tips that beginner and expert alike will find ingenious: how to make an inflatable life preserver for your tackle box so it won’t get lost if it falls out of the boat, or fashion a tangle-proof case for fishing flies from an old piece of garden hose. All the information remains valid for today’s fishing hobbyists.

Redesigned and repackaged using the terrific original illustrations, this is the perfect gift for every fishing fan. 

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2008

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Profile Image for John Geary.
345 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2019
A fun little book to read, it’s actually a 2008 reprint of a book originally published back in 1950. Much of what’s written in it may not apply to modern fishing but it’s fun to read it and look at some of the old illustrations ... and there is a fair bit of humour in it at times, too.
At the end in this edition - not originally in the 1950 edition - is a piece written by Hall of Fame baseball player Ted Williams - who is also a member of the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame. He writes passionately about the importance of, and advocates for, the conservation of fish.
If you like fishing, this is a good book for you; ditto if you like nostalgia.
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