Board game:The Improved Game of Fish Pond

The origin of the game of Fish Pond, or Fishing, is attributed to the New York game maker Clark & Sowdon. McLoughlin Brothers patented a version of Fish Pond in 1890. Whoever dreampt up the game, it has provided a realistic fishing experience for children of all ages from that period up to the present day. Early versions used wooden poles fixed with little hooks in the end; loops or metal circles on the fish provided a place to hook them. Today's fishing games usually employ magnets on pole lines and fish. Late 19th century lithographers printed detailed box designs to simulate ponds and often printed names on individual fish. Some fish counted more points than others. The game is simple and endures in nearly consistent form to the present.