THE SUPREME LEADER OF FISHING

In one of the most famous books ever written back in 1653, Izaak Walton called fishing “the contemplative man’s recreation.” Fishing is still widely recognised for the substantial benefits it has on mental health by way of relaxation, an appreciation and understanding of nature, and food-gathering. But there is another side to fishing: a recreation where participants test various human attributes, as well as their skills, in a challenge against the strength, senses, and environment of the fish they seek. This branch of fishing can be regarded as a sport.

If your angling abilities have ever been put to the test to land an unusually powerful fish — and if you enjoyed that challenge — then you can consider yourself a sporting angler.

For millions of anglers throughout the world, this challenge is far more rewarding than any desire to bring fish home to eat. These anglers may well develop the skills to catch a lot of fish, yet rarely take home more than one or two. For them, the sport is the motivation, not