Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this video, I review Rube Allyn’s Fisherman’s Handbook (1962) published by the Great Outdoors Association—Rube Allyn’s own publishing company based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
I originally planned to simply give this small booklet to my nephew as a birthday gift, but after reading it, I felt it deserved a full video review first.
Before diving into the book itself, I take some time to talk about the life and background of Rube Allyn—one of Florida’s most interesting outdoor writers. Born in Iowa and later educated in Florida, Allen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he worked in submarine service in the Pacific. While overseas, he began planning what would become one of his most unique creations: a shallow-water boat-home called the “Water Wagon,” designed to navigate Florida’s coastal waterways.
After returning home, he worked as a newspaper outdoor writer and eventually built his Water Wagon concept in real life. This led to his book Water Wagon: Through Florida Waterways by Scow and Outboard, and later to the creation of his own publishing company—the Great Outdoors Association—which produced a wide range of books on fishing, boating, and Florida outdoor life.
From there, I go chapter by chapter through The Fisherman’s Handbook, which covers:
Lines, leaders, and hooks
Fishing knots
Casting techniques
Tips for boatmen
Rigging terminal tackle
Bait selection and use
Cleaning and cooking your catch
This 32-page abridged edition serves as a snapshot of Florida fishing in the 1950s and early 1960s—a transitional era between older traditional materials and the modern era of fishing gear. At the time, anglers were still using materials like gut leaders, leather components, braided Dacron, and nylon lines, with monofilament just beginning to appear.
What makes this booklet so interesting is that many of the techniques are still practical today, even though the equipment has changed dramatically. It also provides a fascinating historical look at how Florida anglers fished before modern electronics, braided superlines, and today’s gear became standard.
I also mention that while this is the 32-page abridged version, a larger 80-page edition also exists.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book on multiple levels—as a historical document, a practical fishing guide, and a window into Florida’s outdoor culture in the mid-20th century. I highly recommend it, along with other books published by the Great Outdoors Association.
Sadly, Rube Allyn passed away in 1968 after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle, but he left behind a lasting legacy of outdoor writing and Florida fishing knowledge that is still valuable today.
If you enjoy old-school fishing wisdom, Florida outdoor history, or vintage fishing gear and techniques, this is a book worth exploring.
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Robb Moffett
Robb's Homemade Life
youtube.com/user/mrhulot101
In this video, I review Rube Allyn’s Fisherman’s Handbook (1962) published by the Great Outdoors Association—Rube Allyn’s own publishing company based in St. Petersburg, Florida.
I originally planned to simply give this small booklet to my nephew as a birthday gift, but after reading it, I felt it deserved a full video review first.
Before diving into the book itself, I take some time to talk about the life and background of Rube Allyn—one of Florida’s most interesting outdoor writers. Born in Iowa and later educated in Florida, Allen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he worked in submarine service in the Pacific. While overseas, he began planning what would become one of his most unique creations: a shallow-water boat-home called the “Water Wagon,” designed to navigate Florida’s coastal waterways.
After returning home, he worked as a newspaper outdoor writer and eventually built his Water Wagon concept in real life. This led to his book Water Wagon: Through Florida Waterways by Scow and Outboard, and later to the creation of his own publishing company—the Great Outdoors Association—which produced a wide range of books on fishing, boating, and Florida outdoor life.
From there, I go chapter by chapter through The Fisherman’s Handbook, which covers:
Lines, leaders, and hooks
Fishing knots
Casting techniques
Tips for boatmen
Rigging terminal tackle
Bait selection and use
Cleaning and cooking your catch
This 32-page abridged edition serves as a snapshot of Florida fishing in the 1950s and early 1960s—a transitional era between older traditional materials and the modern era of fishing gear. At the time, anglers were still using materials like gut leaders, leather components, braided Dacron, and nylon lines, with monofilament just beginning to appear.
What makes this booklet so interesting is that many of the techniques are still practical today, even though the equipment has changed dramatically. It also provides a fascinating historical look at how Florida anglers fished before modern electronics, braided superlines, and today’s gear became standard.
I also mention that while this is the 32-page abridged version, a larger 80-page edition also exists.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book on multiple levels—as a historical document, a practical fishing guide, and a window into Florida’s outdoor culture in the mid-20th century. I highly recommend it, along with other books published by the Great Outdoors Association.
Sadly, Rube Allyn passed away in 1968 after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle, but he left behind a lasting legacy of outdoor writing and Florida fishing knowledge that is still valuable today.
If you enjoy old-school fishing wisdom, Florida outdoor history, or vintage fishing gear and techniques, this is a book worth exploring.
My most popular videos
youtube.com/@RobbsHomemadeLife/videos?view=0&sort=p&shelf_id=1
Some viewers like to see the stuff I have bought and liked on Amazon in my Amazon store.
My Amazon store affiliate links
amazon.com/shop/robbshomemadelife/list/3IDHXEBDQ30FI?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d
Robb Moffett
Robb's Homemade Life
youtube.com/user/mrhulot101
