"Will a worm on a pin catch a fish? It has been done. Those two simple elements are the lowest rung on the bottom of a ladder that stretches to the sky. This book sets the beginner to fishing firmly on the first rung and points the way to an absorbing outdoor sport. Whether it takes place in salt or freshwater, sportfishing is done with rod and line. So armed with basic information on many of the fishes, the rods and reels, simple tackle accessories, together with elementary fishing skills, the reader will begin to see a structure in what seems at first a bewildering maze. Each chapter in this book includes all the basic information that will enable the newcomer to the sport to join an army of sportfishers and find, as they have found, an invigorating, fresh-air pastime crammed with suspense, excitement, exasperation, jubilation, and an awakened awareness of the beauty of the countryside. Fishing is a sport closed to no one, a sport with no fans, only participants. Its rewards are a respect for nature, and surroundings which are a pleasure in themselves even if the fish are not biting. For many anglers fish in the bag are a bonus, capping an enjoyable and relaxing day by the water."