"would" or "used to"

[Shinya Maki]

Which is appropriate for the blank below?

I ( ) go fishing quite often, but now I seldom do.
1. used to
2. would

The reason I ask you the question above is because a certain well-reputed dictionary published in Japan says that “would (often)” is not used for the past event when in contrast to the present event. I do not, however, find a comment of this sort anywhere else.

Give me your intuitive response to the question above, and any comment would be appreciated.

Best regards,
Shinya Maki

[Pete]

Which is appropriate for the blank below?

I ( ) go fishing quite often, but now I seldom do.
1. used to
2. would

The reason I ask you the question above is because a certain well-reputed dictionary published in Japan says that “would (often)” is not used for the past event when in contrast to the present event. I do not, however, find a comment of this sort anywhere else.

Give me your intuitive response to the question above, and any comment would be appreciated.

Best regards,
Shinya Maki
I had never thought about it, but I think this dictionary is correct. The sentence sounds much more natural with used to.

On the other hand, look at a sentence like:

- That summer we _____ go fishing almost every evening.

Here the point is to talk about a regular activity at that time, not to contrast it with the present. The best fit is would. In fact, if you used used to, you would implicitly be saying that you do not do that now.