It was like exploring a place that you have seen in a dream, where everything is just where you expect it and yet everything is a surprise.

Things might have been a lot worse. Don’t you worry about it overmuch. When a thing’s done, it’s done, and if it’s not done right, do it differently next time.

For at least the last 275 years the honesty of fishermen has been somewhat questionable. It should be noted that Izaak Walton whose book published in 1653 spoke not of anglers and, but anglers OR very honest men .

No one wants to row who has ever sailed.

There are two distinct visits to tackle-shops, the visit to buy tackle and the visit which may be described as Platonic when, being for some reason unable to fish, we look for an excuse to go in, and waste the tackle dealer’s time.

The island had come to seem one of those places seen from the train that belong to a life in which we shall never take part.

Better drowned than duffers, if not duffers won’t drown.

You write not for children but for yourself. And if by good fortune children enjoy what you enjoy, why then you are a writer of children’s books.

When a thing’s done, it’s done, and if it’s not done right, do it differently next time.

Grab a chance and you won’t be sorry for what might have been.