The coastline of Europe has one of the most diverse collections of fishing boats to be found upon any of the continental coasts of the world. From the Viking-influenced waters of Scandinavia and Northern Europe to the Southern European coasts with their roots firmly placed in the early vessels of the Eastern Mediterranean shipwrights of old, scholars have identified hundreds of different types of craft. For the first time fisheries historian Mike Smylie has put together a collection of many of these craft through his own pen and ink drawings. From the great sailing boats of the northern herring fisheries to the small river canoes and beach-based sail and oar craft, this book catalogues a general cross-sectional record of European fishing boats of the last two centuries, put together in one book for the first time in the English language. Although the roots of many of these vessels go back many generations, in the main those shown are still in existence in some form or other, even if not for their original intended use, and have survived through the skill of boatbuilders and fishermen, and more recently the dedication of enthusiastic owners.

How to Fish is an unabashed, unashamed celebration of the joys of fishing. It is about contentment, calm and solitude, rivers and river banks, losing track of time and, of course, the fish themselves. For those who already enjoy fishing it is a love letter to their art and for those who don't - yet! - it is an insight into a life spent getting up at the crack of dawn and, armed with rod and line, heading for water...