My dad had a book from the 40s or 50s, hardbound, about flyfishing. Little thing, but really funny. Got lots over the years. Also had, and I still have it, a rather massive reference for all things fishing. The species, the gears, kind of an encyclopedia of fishing.

Since, in school, I read the Encyclopedia Brittanica for fun, this was great way to learn all things esoteric about angling.