The American Angler's Book

Embracing the Natural History of Sporting Fish, and the Art of Taking Them

Over one and a half centuries after its original publication, Thaddeus Norris’s The American Angler’s Book remains a classic heavily sought after by fishing enthusiasts and collectors. Considered father of American fly fishing, Norris’s encyclopedic compilation of nineteenth-century tackle and the making of it, information on diverse fish species, and fishing theories and musings was an immensely important tome that helped popularize sport fishing in the United States. Much of the information is still relevant to pursuers of the modern sport. Topics covered include:

Hooks, sinkers, swivels, leaders, snoods, lines, rods, and reels
Perch, pike, carp, herring, catfish and eels, salmon, and trout species and behaviors
Saltwater and fly fishing methods and tackle
Repairs, fly-making, and rod-making
Fish breeding
And more!

“Every American Piscator may feel proud [to own]” this “elegant volume” with “beautifully executed” illustrations, proclaimed The New York Times on the book’s original publication. With information copiously gathered and published during the American Civil War, Norris was a leader in his field. Containing a wealth of exquisite engravings, The American Angler’s Book is a must-have addition to any serious fly-fisher’s collection.

Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for fishermen. Our books for anglers include titles that focus on fly fishing, bait fishing, fly-casting, spin casting, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. Our books offer both practical advice on tackle, techniques, knots, and more, as well as lyrical prose on fishing for bass, trout, salmon, crappie, baitfish, catfish, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.