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IMPORTANT
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Fish & Fly at fishandfly.com
Saltwater Game Fishes of The World, An Illustrated History by Bob Dunn and Peter Goadby
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Reviewed by Terry Lawton
Saltwater
Game Fishes of The World, An Illustrated History, by Bob Dunn and Peter
Goadby, is a most impressive work of scholarship. It is a big, coffee-table
size work that is wonderfully and copiously illustrated. Saltwater Game
Fishes is divided into three parts: The Naturalists, The Fishes, and The
Anglers. A
Tahitian fishing scene
The Naturalists, starting with Aristotle, looks at the history of the study
of fish through to the 19th century. This section covers the first nine
chapters of the book. The Fishes covers the broadbill swordfish, sailfish
and marlin, tuna and mackerel, sharks, dolphin, bluefish, striped bass,
tarpon, bonefish and cobia - which is new to me. Zane Grey is quoted as
stating in 1936 that the bonefish was the most challenging of the fish that
he had caught. And this from a man who spent the best part of a life-time
chasing giant marlin, bluefin tuna and every game fish that swims.
The final chapters cover the origins of sea fishing as a sport, the pioneers
of ocean gamefishing, the tackle used, early writings on saltwater fishing
and salwater gamefishing classics and a final chapter on the sport coming
of age.
The book ends with an extensive but selected bibliography, illustration
credits and a comprehensive index.
I am sure that one of the attractions of researching and writing this book
must have been the characters involved, the tackle they used and the wonderful
illustrations - mosaics, paintings and photographs.
Bob
Dunn has been an angler for over 30 years and has enjoyed many facets of
saltwater fishing including saltwater fly fishing. He has written two books
on the history of Australian angling and when not fishing or writing about
it, operates under the name Antiquarian Angler as a specialist dealer in
old fishibg books, prints, antique tackle and memorabilia.
where the painter noted
the natives using rod and line
'in the same manner as the
fly is used for trout'
His fellow author, Peter Goadby, is a leading big game angler and author
and is described on the dust jacket as a "living legend". He has
fished many of the world's best hot spots and his knowledge and counsel
on big game fish is sought by anglers and scientists alike.
As Michael Leech, president of the International Game Fish Association,
writes in his foreword "This book is not just a book for saltwater
anglers. All anglers, whatever their individual persuasion, will benefit
from this erudite and highly readable investigation of the origins of their
sport." Angling has a wonderful literary heritage and this book will
enhance that heritage.
Saltwater Game Fishes of The World, An Illustrated History, by Bob Dunn
and Peter Goadby. 292 pages hardback, published by Australian Fishing Network
and available from Coch-Y-Bonddu
Books at £60.
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