Portrait of Thomas Salter, half-length, in a brown coat and striped waistcoat

Thomas Salter was a London hatter, who had been a keen angler since his childhood. After retiring, he devoted most of his time to the sport and wrote about his observations and experiences in The Angler's guide, which was also known as The Gentleman Angler (1786).

Written as a complete treatise on angling, and containing practical advice as to the art of trolling, bottom fishing, fly-fishing and trimmer angling, the publication also covered another highly important aspect as to fishing along the Thames and Lea Rivers: the pubs and inns in the area.