When Brisbane Published a Book About Fishing!
1888 — LONG BEFORE YOUTUBE AND FISH FINDERS, THERE WAS A BRISBANE FISHING GUIDE!
Imagine heading out to Moreton Bay nearly 140 years ago, baiting your hook and hoping for a good catch! But what if you were new to fishing and needed a little advice?
Enter John Cameron, a Brisbane businessman with an interest in fishing and a rather practical idea!
MEET THE FISHERMAN: A GUIDE TO THE INEXPERIENCED
Published in Brisbane in 1888 by Gordon and Gotch, this book promised to answer three essential questions:
'HOW, WHEN, AND WHERE TO CATCH FISH'
An antiquarian bookseller has described it as the first fishing book published in Queensland and the first book devoted exclusively to Australian saltwater fishing. If these claims are borne out by further bibliographical research, it would be a fascinating milestone in Queensland's publishing history!
WHO WAS JOHN CAMERON?
John Cameron (1834–1902) was a prominent Brisbane businessman and a principal of Cameron Brothers.
In 1884, he built a home called Doobawah at Ormiston, overlooking the waters of the Moreton Bay region. Historical accounts connect the property with his plans for retirement and his love of fishing.
Four years later, his fishing guide appeared in print. It's easy to imagine why life beside the bay might have appealed to a keen angler!
WHAT WAS INSIDE?
The book extended beyond 100 pages and offered practical guidance for people learning to fish.
Its wonderfully straightforward title promised advice on how to fish, when to fish and where to find a catch.
The book is also associated with a contribution titled Pearl Fishing in Torres Straits, attributed to J. Tarko. This would add another intriguing connection to Queensland's maritime and pearling history, although the contributor's name and page details deserve confirmation against a copy of the original edition.
A BOOK WITH A STORY OF ITS OWN!
A surviving first edition described in an antiquarian bookseller's catalogue bears an inscription from Cameron to the editor of London's Daily Chronicle.
Imagine a fishing guide produced in Brisbane finding its way into the hands of a newspaper editor on the other side of the world!
Cameron died at Doobawah in 1902. The property was subsequently sold, and parts of the original house were removed and relocated elsewhere.
Today, this little-known 1888 publication offers a glimpse into Queensland's past, when fishing advice was shared through printed pages rather than online videos.
NOW HERE'S A QUESTION FOR YOU!
What fish would you have hoped to catch in Moreton Bay in 1888?
One thing is certain: fishing has a long history in Queensland, and old books like this help us rediscover fascinating stories from our past.
From forgotten publications to local legends, there's always something new to uncover!
An original 19th-century copy could set you back around $400 at auction - or you can view it online for free! Link below!
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52767892/view?partId=nla.obj-186545893#page/n9/mode/1up
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A note on our visuals: To ℎelp bring tℎis story to life, we've included a computer-generated illustration. Wℎile we've aimed for ℎistorical accuracy, it may contain minor errors or artistic interpretation. To be used solely for educational, non-commercial ℎistory storytelling.
