The Complete Book of Fishing
Worth buying if: You want illustrated tackle and knot instructions from McClane.
Skip it if: You need up-to-the-minute fishery management rules or 2020s conservation policy.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780831715656. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
Albert Jules McClane's The Complete Book of Fishing (Smithmark Publishers, 1990) collects field-tested advice on freshwater and saltwater tackle, seasonal tactics, fish identification, and basic knots in a single, illustrated reference.
Why this book now
For anglers revisiting classic techniques or building a foundational home reference, McClane’s 1990 compendium remains a practical historical snapshot of late-20th-century fishing.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want illustrated tackle and knot instructions from McClane.
- You need a single-volume reference for freshwater and saltwater species.
- You need up-to-the-minute fishery management rules or 2020s conservation policy.
- You expect purely modern gear reviews or ultralight, tech-heavy tackle guides.
- You only want something with very current references and examples.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780831715656
Worth buying if: You want illustrated tackle and knot instructions from McClane.
Skip it if: You need up-to-the-minute fishery management rules or 2020s conservation policy.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Balanced Moderate time
This is a low-commitment, reference-style read—dip into sections on knots, species, or seasonal tactics as needed rather than a continuous cover-to-cover narrative.
What stands out here
This 1990 Smithmark edition emphasizes step-by-step illustrations and McClane’s field notes, useful for anglers wanting period techniques and clear visual instruction.
Best way to approach it
Approach it as a workshop manual: consult the species and tackle chapters before trips, practice knots from the illustrated plates, and annotate seasonal tips for your local waters.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780831715656
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.