[Angling] The Rod and the Line : Or, Practical Hints and Dainty Devices for the Sure Taking of Trout, Grayling, etc. [Joseph Delaplaine Bates, Jr.'s copy]

London: Published by Longman, Brown, Green, & Longmans, 1849. Decorative Cloth. Fine. Scarce First (and only) Edition of "one of the most original books in the bibliography of angling." (AnAnglersBookcase online) Foolscap 8vo (172 x 105mm): 157,[2],32[ad]pp, with nine bright, detailed hand-colored plates of flies. Original sage-green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, covers elaborately paneled in blind, pale yellow end papers. Armorial book plate to front paste-down of angling author Joseph Delaplaine Bates, Jr. (1903-1988), whose works include the modern classic Fishing Atlantic Salmon: The Flies and the Patterns. An exceptional example with excellent provenance, tightly bound in original cloth and clean throughout, with richly colored plates. Westwood & Satchell p. 239 ("Characterised by a mixture of caustic humour and sound practical knowledge"). Smith, p. 46. Bartlett, p. 74. Hoe Library III, p. 199. Wheatley was the "first to recommend eyed hooks for trout-flies. He fished many of his artificial flies, including beetles, floating. When the fly was meant to sink, he made no doubt about it, and leaded the shank of his hooks—surely another 'first' for this remarkable innovator. In anticipation of nymph fishing, Wheatley observed: 'Many fly-fishers must have remarked, that for a fortnight at least before the May-fly appears in any numbers, trout do not rise so freely as before that period. And I am satisfied, from personal observation, they are then feeding on the fly, at the bottom, as it quits the case in which it has passed its grub existence.'" (An Anglers Bookcase) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).