Izaak Walton, an English writer, is best known as the author of The Compleat Angler — not a spelling error, just 17th-century spelling. His influence extends well beyond angling.

A note on the series: Walton was English and died in 1683, a century before the United States existed. He's here because he's the root of the whole tradition — every angling writer since, American ones included, is working in ground he broke.

If you haven't read the book or looked into his history, you're missing out. Here are a few things to spark your interest.

Who he was

Born around 1593 in Stafford, England, Walton moved to London in his teens and worked as a linen draper.
He befriended the poet and clergyman John Donne, and became a Royalist during the English Civil War.
After the Royalist defeat at Marston Moor in 1644, he returned to Staffordshire and settled at Shallowford.
His experiences there provided the material for The Compleat Angler, first published in 1653.

The Compleat Angler

This classic celebrates the art and spirit of fishing, combining practical angling advice with folklore and reflections on nature. Walton's love for fishing shines through as he shares the joys of the sport.

It has been reprinted more than 300 times, which makes it one of the most enduring books in the English language — and worth sitting with the fact that a fishing book has stayed continuously in print for over 370 years.

What strikes me most is how little the core of it has aged. Walton writes about observation, patience, and the pleasure of being on the water for its own sake. Strip away the archaic spelling and it's the same argument anglers still make.

His other work

Walton also wrote short biographies, including one of his friend John Donne.
These were later collected as Walton's Lives.
His literary admirers include Charles Lamb, and his legacy extends to places and organisations in England, the United States, and Kenya.

Legacy

Walton left his residence at Shallowford to the local poor, and it's now maintained as a museum in his honour.
His influence on fishing, literature, and conservation endures, making him a beloved figure among anglers and well beyond them.

The Izaak Walton League, founded in the United States in 1922 and named for him, remains one of the country's oldest conservation organisations — which is a fair measure of how far the influence travelled.

Where to find the book

Walton's passion and his timeless writing continue to inspire generations. I hope this brief glimpse leads you to seek out a copy of The Compleat Angler and give it a read.

It's long out of copyright, so free editions are easy to find online, and most libraries hold a copy. Secondhand editions turn up cheaply too — and an old one is a genuinely lovely thing to own.

If you'd rather have something for the drive to the river, I've written a few eBooks that are instant downloads: Beginner Fly Fishing, Dry Fly Tactics for Selective Trout, and Tips and Tricks for Fly Fishing. There's also a list of five fly fishing books worth reading.

If you liked this article you'll enjoy Revolutionaries in Fly Fishing: Doug Swisher and Frank Sawyer.