THE ANGLER'S INSTRUCTOR: A treatise on the best mode of angling in English rivers, lakes and ponds; and on the habits of fish. By William Bailey, Nottingham. Third edition.

(1857) 1878 3rd edition. Small 8vo (125 x 188mm). Pp187 + 1 page advertisement for William Bailey, Fishing Tackle Manufacturer. Dark brown cloth, spine not titled, upper board titled in gilt with intricate black design, dark blue coated end-papers.

Divided into chapters on pike, perch, trout, grayling, carp, tench, barbel, chub, bream, roach, dace and gudgeon. Barbel, roach, pike and chub get most pages, with barbel clearly the author's favourite. "An excellent practical treatise by the best Nottingham angler of his day. There are some marked points of difference between the Nottingham system of angling and that in vogue elsewhere, especially as regards the nature and action of the winch employed." (Westwood and Satchell). "Rather un-Halfordian approach to trout fishing. Always use a live minnow if you can and worms - 'all flesh no bone' - are excellent bait." (Alfred A.L. Thomas).