To Catch a Fish

A charming and gorgeously illustrated collection of essays on fish and fishing by Mark Kurlansky, the acclaimed bestselling author of Cod and Salt. Covering everything from techniques and methods to fishing culture, ecology, and cooking and eating one’s catch, Kurlansky guides readers through the waters and into the mind of the fish through fascinating and entertaining anecdotes, all in his signature informative and meditative style.

For as long as there have been humans, there have been humans trying to catch fish. The two species-fish and man-live in constant tension. One chases the other. One tries to get away. Some of us-author Mark Kurlansky included-are hard-wired for that chase. Guiding readers through the waters and into the mind of the fish, Kurlansky considers who fish are and why they behave the way they do, and along the way delves into the many approaches to catching a fish, their ecology, and the ins and outs of cooking and eating your catch.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice, or simply want to explore the world of fish, the forty short essays in this collection and the dazzling illustrations by Bri Dostie, shed new light on these creatures and our relationship to them.