American Angler's Book

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 reelsPerch, pike, carp, herring, catfish and eels, salmon, and trout species and behaviorsSaltwater and fly fishing methods and tackleRepairs, fly-making, and rod-makingFish breedingAnd 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.

Thaddeus Norris, nicknamed “Uncle Thad,” was called the most important American angling writer of his generation. He was born in Virginia in 1811 and at age eighteen moved to Philadelphia, where he pursued a successful career in business and a long passion in angling. He published a second book, American Fish Culture, in 1868 and went on to become an accomplished rodmaker in his later years. He died in 1877.