Page From the Past: The Fisherman’s Patience
By Izaak Walton
The patience required of anglers has been celebrated—and lamented—in countless tales. One such story comes from The Complete Angler by Izaak Walton, a classic text first published in 1653. Walton’s work has been cherished for centuries, not only for its fishing advice but also for its musings on the nature of patience itself. Here is an excerpt from his chapter on “Patience and the Fish,” a passage that speaks to the unending virtue required of all who cast a line, including catfishermen.
In this particular account, Walton reflects on the true essence of an angler’s waiting game, filled with whimsy and a touch of satire. Any fisherman who has sat for hours in pursuit of a single bite will relate.
“Of all the qualities most prized in a fisherman, none stands as steadfast as his patience. As I have often observed, the angler waits not only for the fish but also for those singular moments of calm that float on the water’s surface, as elusive as the trout or perch that evade his hook.
“And yet, the seasoned fisherman shall not be daunted. With rod in hand and heart set firm, he shall watch the bobbing cork as if he were a king on his throne, though no kingdom but that of his own imagination waits to reward him.
“It is said that the fish knows a fool from a philosopher by the hook he uses; a hasty hook catches nothing but grass and the occasional lily pad, while the hook of patience may, after all, catch dinner. Though some fisherman finds his joy in his own hands, the wise fisherman knows his joy lies just as much in waiting.
“And, lo! As he does wait, an innocent fish nibbles upon his line, only to leave the angler with nothing but a story for his supper.”
Walton’s humor and wisdom echo through time, reminding every angler that fishing requires patience not only for the fish but also for the humor of it all. After all, sometimes the best catch of the day is the tale you bring home.
