Hi,
Having a great time finding old books. Here's a few titles I've just down loaded (so I have no idea of the quality), but they are mentioned as being early books covering fishing about the time the North Country style was developing.
The Driffield Angler - 1806 by Alexander MacKintosh
Angling in all its Branches - 1809 by Samuel Taylor
The Modern Angler - 1811 by R. Salter
The Fly-Fisher's Guide - 1816 by George C. Bainbridge
All can be found by searhing based upon the title at:
http://www.archive.org/details/texts
I would say more, but I have reading to do!
- Jeff