I probably differ from the young people of today in that as a schoolboy I read all the old fishing books I could get my hands on.
JW Martin, William Bailey, GEM Skues, Col. Robert Venables, Henry Coxon, Robert Nobbes, even dear old Isaac.
All my angling lief I have loved reading about the history of the sport. No other sport in the whole world has such a rich literature.
I am therefore dismayed when young anglers state they have no interest in old books or finding out about how such things which we take for granted today came about. Tell a youngster today that the principles behind modern computers were known in the 1880s and he or she will not beleive you. Tell youngsters today that modern mathematics was developed to a high level in the 17th century and they will not believe you.
The basic priciples of angling have not changed, mainly because the fish have not changed. If you want to become a good river roach fisher for example, The basic principles you will learn by reading authors like "Faddist" who's books were written over 60 years ago will stand you in as good stead as reading Bob Nudd, if not better.
JW Martin knew as much as any modern angler, is not more, about the habits of, and how to catch barbel.
The only thing that has changed is the materials from which tackle is made.