ANGLING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES, REDUCED TO A COMPLETE SCIENCE: BEING THE RESULT OF MORE THAN FORTY YEARS REAL PRACTICE AND STRICT OBSERVATION THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOMS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. IN THREE PARTS... By Samuel Taylor, Gent.

1800 1st edition. Small 8vo (125 x 188mm). Ppxvi,298 + 6pp publisher's catalogue. Full original calf neatly re-backed with later spine, gilt titles to spine label.

An important early angling book, particularly so for its list of flies and tying instruction, for example, he was the first author to mention the use of a vice when tying "...that you may have both hands at liberty to put in your materials, which will enable you to dress the flies more neatly as well as more perfectly". Taylor is however exceedingly scathing of earlier angling authors and his preface is quite a rant. Here is the full, rather extensive, text of the title-page:- "Angling in all its branches, reduced to a complete science: Being the result of more than forty years real practice and strict observation throughout the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. In three parts. First, Describing (among other things) the Counties of England, Wales, and Scotland, in alphabetical order; the rivers and other waters which they contain; their rise; progress; and curiosities; together with those of Ireland; the fish they produce, and the parts best adapted for angling: interspersed with curious and entertaining incidents and practical remarks never before made public. Secondly, A full description of the different kinds of fish taken by angling, etc. their natures, haunts, seasons, spawning-times, baits, biting-times; and how to angle for each; with many curious, useful, and pleasing observations. Thirdly, A list of artificial flies (the completest collection ever yet known), which will take fish in all waters in each of the above countries; the materials, and how to make each as described; the most skilful way of throwing the line, and of managing it when in the water; night fly-fishing; natural fly-fishing, etc. The whole forming a work of real utility, comprising objects too numerous to be detailed in a title page, and of a very different nature from those insignificant little pamphlets hitherto published, which treat chiefly of angling in the Thames, the New River, and other waters of equal consequence about London. By Samuel Taylor, Gent".