Colonial Angler’s Manual of Flyfishing and Flytying

By Ken Reinard

Review by Michael Breza

As a young boy, I spent many late afternoons with my father and older brother at a local fishing pond. We were armed with nothing but a bamboo pole, a plastic bobber and an iron fishhook. I did not develop into a keen fisherman from this experience but rather became an avid living historian instead. It was my interest in all things Colonial that made me read Ken Reinard's book, not my fishing skills. I had assumed that the freshwater fishing that was done in the 18th century was very much like the primitive setup that I had as a boy. I was to find out differently from The Colonial Angler’s Manual.

Reinard has done the reenactment community a great favor by writing this book. Not only does the reader receive a well‑rounded history lesson in the development of fishing, or as I learned “angling,” but also instructions for constructing your angling gear as well. I also enjoyed learning about Reinard's personal journey in developing his own living history persona.

Colonial Angler's Manual of Flyfishing and Flytying lives up to its title in this well‑illustrated and easy to read book. It more than satisfied my curiosity about the methods 18th century people used to catch fish. One thing that I discovered right off was that my boyhood fishing method was indeed done by some in the 18th century. The more common folk would catch fish by the baited line method. A true sporting gentleman or gentlewoman, however, would angle with a tied fly. This can be compared roughly to modern fly fishing. Gentlemanly behavior is highly spoken of in this book, as it is the foundation of the true sportsman. If you want to portray a member from the well‑bred class, it would do you well to read this book, if for nothing else.

For either the gentlefolk or the common stock, there are instructions on how to make your own iron hooks and braided horsetail-hair fishing line. For those of you with more interest in actually recreating a Colonial angler, Reinard discusses how to clothe and equip yourself appropriately.

The book contains very clear photographs of the equipment needed and wonderful watercolor illustrations of fly types used in the 18th century. Best of all the book has an appendix with museums that display fishing equipment, resources for books and equipment plus additional reading sources.

I cannot recommend this book enough to those who want to round out their personas or those who want to fish as well as hunt on a trek. I believe what you will pay for this book can be recovered in the pleasure of making your own angling equipment and in the enjoyment of new skills learned.

@ 2007 Scurlock Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.