The experienc'd angler, or, Angling improv'd being a general discourse of angling, imparting many of the aptest wayes and choicest experiments for the taking of most sorts of fish in pond or river. Venables, Robert, 1612?-1687. 1662 Approx. 103 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 64 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A64795 Wing V183 ESTC R16184 12255913 ocm 12255913 57471 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A64795) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 57471) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 441:15) The experienc'd angler, or, Angling improv'd being a general discourse of angling, imparting many of the aptest wayes and choicest experiments for the taking of most sorts of fish in pond or river. Venables, Robert, 1612?-1687. [17], 105, [6] p. : ill. Printed for Richard Marriot, and are to be sold at his shop ..., London : 1662. Added engraved t.p. Written by Robert Venables. Cf. BM. Advertisements: p. [1] at beginning and p. 105. Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library. Includes index. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Fishing -- Early works to 1800. 2005-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-11 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2005-11 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion The Experienc'd Angler , or Angling Improved . Sold by Rich : Marriott in St. Dunstans Churchyard Vaughan sculp ▪ THE Experienc'd Angler : OR ANGLING IMPROV'D . BEING A general Discourse of Angling ; Imparting many of the aptest wayes and choicest Experiments for the taking of most sorts of Fish in Pond or River . LONDON : Printed for Richard Marriot , and are to be sold at his Shop in St. Dunstans Church-yard , Fleet-sheet . 1662. To the Reader . DElight and Pleasure are o fast rivetted and firmly rooted in the heart of Man , that I suppose there is none so morose or melancholly , that will not onely pretend to , but plead for an Interest in the same , most being so much enamored therewith , that they judge that life but a living death , which is wholly deprived or abridged of all pleasure ; and many pursue the same with so much eagerness and importunity , ( as though they had been born for no other end ) as that they not only consume their most precious time , but also totally ruine their Estates thereby : for in this loose and licentious Age , when profuse Prodigality passes for the Characteristical mark of true Generosity , and Frugality ( I mean not Niggardliness ) is branded with the ignominious blot of Baseness . I expect not that this undervalued Subject ( though it propound delight at an easie rate ) will meet with any other entertainment than neglect , if not contempt , it being an art which few take pleasure in , nothing passing for noble or delightful which is not costly ; as though men could not gratifie their senses , but with the consumption of their fortunes . Hauking and Hunting have had their excellencies celebrated with large Encomiums by divers pens , and although I intend not any undervaluing to those noble Recreations , so much famed in all Ages and by all degrees , yet I must needs affirm , that they fall not within the compass of every ones ability to pursue , being as it were only entailed on great Persons and vast estates ; for if meaner Fortunes seek to enjoy them , Actaeons Fable often proves a true story , and these birds of prey not seldom quarrey upon their masters : Besides , those Recreations are more subject to choller and passion , by how much those creatures exceed a Hook or Line in worth : And indeed in those exercises our pleasure depends much upon the will and humor of a sullen Cur or Kite , ( as I have heard their own passions phrase them ) which also require much attendance , care and skill to keep her serviceable to our ends . Further , these delights are often prejudicial to the Husbandman in his corn , grass and fences ; but in this pleasant and harmless Art of Angling a man hath none to quarrel with but himself , and we are usually so intirely our own friends , as not to retain an irreconcileable hatred against our selves , but can in short time easily compose the enmity ; and besides our selves none are offended , none endamaged ; and this Recreation falleth within the capacity of the lowest fortune to compass , affording also profit as well as pleasure , in following of which exercise a man may imploy his thoughts in the noblest studies , almost as freely as in his Closset . The minds of Anglers being usually more calm and composed than many others , especially Hunters and Falkoners , who too frequently lose their delight in their passion , and too often bring home more of melancholly and discontent than satisfaction in their thoughts ; but the Angler , when he hath the worst success , loseth but a hook or line , or perhaps ( what he never possessed ) a fish , and suppose he take nothing , yet he enjoyeth a delightful walk by pleasant rivers in sweet pastures , amongst odoriferous flowers , which gratifie his senses and delight his mind ; which contentmēts induce many ( who affect not angling ) to chuse those places of pleasure for their Summers recreation and health . But peradventure some may alleage that this Art is mean , melancholly and insipid : I suppose the old Answer , De gustibus non est disputandum , will hold as firmly in Recreations as Palats , many have supposed Angling void of delight , having never tryed it , yet have afterwards experimented it so full of content , that they have quitted all other Recreations ( at least in its season ) to pursue it ; and I do perswade my self , that whosoever shall associate himself with some honest expert Angler , who will freely and candidly communicate his skill unto him , will in short time be convinced , that Ars non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem ; and the more any experiment its harmless delight , ( not subject to passion or expence ) probably he will be induc'd to relinquish those pleasures which are obnoxious to choller or contention ( which so discompose the thoughts , that nothing during that unsettlement can relish or delight the mind ) to pursue that recreation which composeth the Soul to that calmness and serenity , which gives a man the fullest possession and fruition of himself and all his enjoyments ; this clearnesse and equanimity of Spirit being a matter of so high a concern and value in the judgments of many profound Philosophers , as any one may see that will bestow the pains to read , De tranquilitate animi , and Petrarch , De utriusque conditionis statu : Certainly he that lives Sibi & Deo , leads the most happy life ; and if this Art do not dispose and encline the mind of man to a quiet calm sedatenesse , I am confident it doth not ( as many other delights ) cast blocks and rubs before him to make his way more difficult and lesse pleasant : The cheapnesse of the recreation abates not its pleasure , but with rational persons heightens it ; and if it be delightful the charge of Melancholly falls upon that score , and if Example ( which is the best proof ) may sway any thing , I know no sort of men lesse subject to Melancholly than Anglers ; many have cast off other Recreations and imbraced it , but I never knew any Angler wholly cast off ( though occasions might interrupt ) their affections to their beloved Recreation ; and if this Art may prove a Noble brave rest to thy mind , it will be satisfaction to his , who is thy well-wishing Friend . To his ingenious Friend the Author On his Angling Improv'd . Honoured Sir , THough I never ( to my knowledge ) had the happiness to see your face , yet accidentally coming to a view of this Discourse before it went to the Press ; I held my self obliged in point of gratitude for the great advantage I received thereby , to tender you my particular acknowledgment , especially having been for thirty years past , not onely a lover but a practicer of that innocent Recreation , wherein by your judicious precepts I find my self fitted for a higher Form ; which expression I take the boldness to use , because I have read and practiced by many Books of this kind , formerly made publick ; from which ( although I received much advantage in the practick ) yet ( without prejudice to their worthy Authors ) I could never find in them that height of judgment and reason , which you have manifested in this ( as I may call it ) Epitome of Angling , since my reading whereof I cannot look upon some notes of my own gathering , but methinks I do puerilia tractare . But lest I should be thought to go about to magnifie my own judgment , in giving yours so small a portion of its due , I humbly take leave with no more ambition than to kiss your hand , and to be accounted Your humble and thankful Servant , J. W. The Contents . Chap. 1. WHen to provide Tools , and how to make them up . 1 Chap. 2. Divers sorts of Angling : and first of the Flie. 14 Chap. 3. Of the artificial Flie. 23 Chap. 4. Angling at the ground . 40 Chap. 5. Of divers sorts of Baits for several fish . 54 Chap. 6. How to keep your Baits . 65 Chap. 7. The several haunts of fish , what Rivers or Ponds they most frequent . 76 Chap. 8. When not to angle . 84 Chap. 9. When best to angle . 84 Chap. 10. General Observations . 95 Angling Improv'd : OR , Profit and Pleasure united . CHAP. I. When to provide Tools , and how to make them . FOR the attaining of such ends which our desires propose to themselves , of necessity we must make use of such common mediums , as have a natural tendency to the producing of such effects , as are in our eye , and at which we aim ; and as in any work , if one principal material be wanting , the whole is at a stand , neither can the same be perfected : so in Angling , the end being Recreation , which consisteth in drawing the fish to bite , that we may take them , if you want tools , though you have baits , or baits though you have tackle , yet you have no part of pleasure by either of these singly : Nay , if you have both , yet want skill to use them , all the rest is to little purpose . I shall therefore first begin with your tools , and so proceed in order with the rest . 1. In Autumn , when the leaves are almost or altogether fallen , ( which is usually about the Winter Solstice ) the sap being then in the root , which about the middle of January beginneth to ascend again , and then the time is past to provide your self with stocks or tops : you need not be so exactly curious for your stocks as the tops , though I wish you to chuse the nearest Taper-grown you can for stocks , but let your tops be the most neat Rush-grown shoots you can get , streight and smooth ; and ( if for the ground-rod ) near or full two yards long , ( the reason for that length shall be given presently ) and if for the flie , of what length you please ; because you must either chuse them to fit the stock , or the stock to fit them in a most exact proportion ; neither do they need to be so very much Taper grown as those for the ground , for if your rod be not most exactly proportionable , ( as well as slender ) it will neither cast well , strike readily , or ply and bend equally , which will very much indanger your line . When you have fitted your self with tops and stocks , ( for all must be gathered in one season ) if any of them be crooked , bind them all together , and they will keep one another streight ; or lay them on some even-boarded floor , with a weight on the crooked parts , or else bind them close to some streight staffe or pole ; but before you do this you must bathe them all , save the very top , in a gentle fire . For the ground angle , I prefer the Cane or Reed before all other , both for its length and lightness ; and whereas some object against its colour and stiffness : I answer , both these inconveniencies are easily remedyed , the colour by covering it with thin Leather or Parchment , and those dyed into what colour you please , or you may colour the Cane it self , as you see daily done by those that sell them in London , especially if you scrape off the shining yellow out-side , but that weakneth the Rod ; the stiffnesse of the Cane is helped by the length and strength of the top , which I would wish to be very much taper-grown , and of the full length I spoke of before , and so it will kill a very good fish without ever straining the Cane , which will ( as you may observe ) yield and bend a little , neither would I advise any to use a Reed that will not receive a top of the forementioned length . Such who most commend the Hazel-rod ( which I also value and praise but for different reasons ) above the Cane , do it because , say they , the slender Rod saveth the line , but my opinion is , that the equal bending of the Rod chiefly ( next to the skill of the Angler ) saveth the line , and the slenderness I conceive principally serveth to make the flye-rod long and light , easie to be managed with one hand , and casteth the flye far , which are to me the considerations chiefly to be regarded in a flye-rod ; for if you observe the slender part of the Rod ( if strained ) shoots forth in length as if it were part of the line , so that the whole stress or strength of the fish is born or sustained , by the thicker part of the Rod , which is no stronger then the stronger end of such a top as I did before direct for the ground-rod , and you may prove what I say to be true , if you hang a weight at the top of the fly-rod , which you shall see ply and bend ( in the stiffe and thick part ) more or less as the weight is heavy or light . Having made this digression for the Cane , I return to the making up of the top , of which at the upper or smal end , I would have you to cut off about two foot or three quarters of a yard at most , and then piece neatly to the thick remaining part , a small shut of black-thorn or crab-tree ( gathered in the season as before ) fitted in a most exact proportion to the strength of the Hazel , and then cut off a small part of the slender end of the Black-thorn or Crab-tree , and lengthen out the same with a small piece of whale-bone , made round , smooth and taper , all which will make your Rod to be very long , gentle , and not so apt to break or stand bent as the Hazel , both which are great inconveniencies , especially breaking , which will force you from your sport to amend your top . 2. To teach the way or manner how to make a line , were time lost , it being so easie and ordinary : yet to make the line well , handsome , and to twist the hair even and neat , makes the line strong : For if one hair be long and another short , the short one receiveth no strength from the long one , and so breaketh , and then the other ( as too weak ) breaketh also : Therefore you must twist them slowly , and in the twisting , keep them from entangling together , which hindereth their right playting or bedding . Also I do not like the mixing of silk or thred with hair , but if you please , you may ( to make the line strong ) make it all of Silk , or Thred , or Hair , as strong as you please , and the lowest part of the smallest Lute or Viol strings , which I have proved to be very strong , but will quickly rot in the water , but you may help that in having new and strong to change the rotted ones ; but as to hair ( the most usuall matter whereof lines are made ) I like sorrel white and gray best ; sorrel in muddy and boggy Rivers , both the other for clear waters ; I never could find such vertue or worth in other colours , to give them so high praise as some do , yet if any other have worth in it , I must yield it to the pale watry green , and if you fancy that you may dye it thus . Take a pottle of Allom water , a large handful of Marigolds , boyl them untill a yellow scum arise , then take half a pound of green Copperas , and as much Verdegreece , beat them into a fine powder , put those with the hair into the Allom-water , set all to cool for twelve houres , then take out the hair and lay it to dry . Leave a bought or bout at both ends of the line , the one to put it to , and take it from your Rod , the other to hang your lowest link upon , to which your hook is fastned , and so you may change your hook so often as you please . 3. Let your hooks be long in the shank , and of a compass somewhat inclining to roundnesse , but the point must stand even and streight , and the bending must be in the shank , for if the shank be streight , the point will hang outward , though when set on it stand right , yet it will after the taking of a few fish , cause the hair at the end of the shank to stand bent , and so ( by consequence ) the point of the hook to lie or hang too much outward , whereas upon the same ground the bending shank will then cause the point of the hook to hang directly upwards . When you set on your hook ; do it with strong but smal silk , and lay your hair upon the inside of the hook , for if on the outside the silk will cut and fret it asunder , and to avoid the fretting of the hair by the hook on the inside , smooth all your hook upon a whetstone , from the inside to the back of the hook slope wayes . 4. Get the best cork you can without flawes or holes ( quils and pens are not able to bear the strong streams ) bore the cork through with a small hot iron , then put into it a quill of a fit proportion , neither too large to split it , or so small as to slip out , but so as it may stick in very closely : then pare your cork into the form of a piramide , or small pear , and into what bigness you please , then upon a smooth grindstone , or with a pumice make it compleat , for you cannot pare it so smooth as you may grind it , have corkes of all sizes . 5. Get a Musquet or Carbine bullet , make a hole through it , and put in a strong twist , hang this on your hook to try the depth of River or Pond . 6. Take so much Parchment as will be about four inches broad , and five long , make the longer end round , then take so many pieces more as will make five or six partitions , sow them all together , leaving the side of the longer square open , to put your lines , spare links , hooks ready fastned , and flies ready made , into the several partitions ; this will contain much ( lie flat and close in your Pocket ) in a little room . 7. Have also a little Whetstone about two inches long , and one quarter square ; it s much better to sharpen your hooks than a File , which either will not touch a well-tempered hook , or leave it rough but not sharp . 8. Have a piece of a Cane for the Bob and Palmer , with several boxes of divers sizes for your Hooks , Corks , Silk , Thred , Lead , Flies , &c. 9. Bags of Linnen and Woollen , for all sorts of baits . 10. Have a small Pole , made with a loop at the end , like that of your line , but much bigger , to which must be fastned a small net , to land great fish , without which ( if you want assistance ) you will be in danger to lose them . 11. Your Pannier cannot be too light : I have seen some made of Oziers , cleft into slender long splinters , and so wrought up , which is very neat , and exceeding light ; you must ever carry with you store of Hooks , Lines , Hair , Silk , Thred , Lead , Links , Corks of all sizes , lest if you lose or break ( as is usual ) any of them , you be forced to leave your sport , and return for supplies . CHAP. II. Divers sorts of Angling : first , of the Flie. AS there are many kinds and sorts of Fish , so there are also various and different wayes to take them ; and therefore before we proceed to speak how to take each kind , we must say something in general of the several wayes of angling , as necessary to the better order of our work . Angling therefore may be distinguished either into fishing by day , or ( which some commend , but the cold and Dews caused me to dis-rellish that which impaired my health ) by night ; and these again are of two sorts , either upon the superficies of the water , or more or less under the surface thereof : of this sort is angling with the ground line , ( with lead , but no slote ) for the Trout , or with lead and flote for all sorts of fish , or near the surface of the water for Chub , Roch , &c. or with a Trowle for the Pike , or a Menow for the Trout ; of which more in due place . That way of angling upon or above the water , is with Cankers , Palmers , Caterpillars , Cadbait , or any worm bred on herbs or trees ; or with flies natural or artificial ; of these last ( viz Flies ) shall be our first discourse , as comprising much of the other last named , and as being the most pleasant and delightful part of angling . But I must here take leave to dissent from the opinion of such who assign a certain fly to each Moneth , whereas I am certain scarce any one sort of flye doth continue its colour and vertue one Moneth ; and generally all flies last a much shorter time , except the stone fly ( which some call the May fly ) which is bred of the water-cricket , which creepeth out of the River , and gets under the stones by the w●ter side , and there turneth to a fly , and lyeth under the stones ; the May fly and the reddish flye with ashie gray wings . Besides the season of the year may much vary the time of their comming in , a forward Spring bringeth them in sooner , and a late Spring the later : For flies being creatures bred of putrefaction , do take life as the heat doth further or dispose the seminal vertue ( by which they are generated ) unto animation : and therefore all I can say as to time , is that your own observation must be your best instructor , when is the time that each flye cometh in , and will be most acceptable to the fish , of which I shall speak more fully in the next Section ; further also I have observed that severall Rivers , and Soyles , produce several sorts of flies , as the mossy boggy soils have one sort peculiar to them ; the clay soil , gravelly and mountainous Countrey and Rivers , and a mellow light soil different from them all , yet some sor●s are common to all these sorts of rivers and soils , but they are few ▪ and also differ somewhat in colour from those bred in another soil . In general , all sorts of flies are very good in their season , for such fish as will rise at the flie , as Salmon , Trout , Umber , Grayling , Bleak , Chevin , Roch , Dace , &c. Though some of these fish do love some flies better than other ; except the fish named I know not any sort or kind that will ( ordinarily and freely ) rise at the fl●e , though I know also some do angle for Bream and Pike with artificial flies , but I judge the labour lost , and the knowledge a needless curiosity ; those fish being taken much easier ( especially the Pike ) by other wayes : All the forementioned sorts of fish will sometimes take the flie , much better at the top of the water , and at another time much better a little under the superficies of the water , and in this your own observation must be your constant and daily instructor , ( for if they will not rise to the top , try them under ) it not being possible ( in my opinion ) to give any certain rule in this particular : also the five sorts of fish first named will take the art●ficial flie , so will not the other , except an Oakworm or Cadbait be put on the point of the hook , or some other worm sutable ( as the flie must be ) to the season . You may also observe ( which my own experience taught me ) that the fish never rise eagerly and freely at any fort of flie , untill that kind come to the waters side ; for though I have often at the first coming in of some flies , ( which I judged they loved best ) gotten several of them , yet I could never find that they did much ( if at all ) value them , untill those sorts of fl●es began to stock to the Rivers sides , and were to be found on the Trees and Bushes there in great numbers ; for all sorts of flies ( where ever bred ) do after a certain time come to the Rivers banks , ( I suppose to moisten their bodies dryed with the heat ) and from the bushes and herbs there , skip and play upon the water , where the fish lie in wait for them ; and after a short time die , and are not to be found ; though of some kinds there come a second sort afterwards , but much less , as the Orenge flie , and when they thus stock fo● the River , then is the chiefest season to angle with that flie : And that you may the better find what flie they covet most at that instant , do thus : When you come first to the River in the morning , with your rod beat upon the bushes or boughs which hang over the water , and by their falling upon the water you will see what sorts of flies are there in greatest numbers ; if divers sorts and equal in number , try them all , and you will quickly find which they most desire : Sometimes they change their flie ( but it s not very usual ) twice or thrice in one day ; but ordinarily they seek not for another sort of flie , till they have for some dayes even glutted themselves with a former kind , which is commonly when those flies die and go out . Directly contrary to our London Gallants , who must have the first of every thing , when hardly to be got , but scorn the same when kindly ripe , healthful , common and cheap : but the fish despise the first , and covet when plenty , and when that sort grow old and decay , and another cometh in plentifully , then they change ; as if Nature taught them , that every thing is best in its own proper season , and not so desirable when not kindly ripe , or when through long continuance it beginneth to lose its native worth and goodness . I shall adde a few cautions and directions in the use of the natural flie , and then proceed . 1. When you angle for Chevin , Roth , Dace with the flie , you must not move your flie swiftly , when you see the fish coming towards it , but rather after one or two short and slow removes , suffer the flie to glide gently with the stream towards the fish ; or if in a standing or very slow water , draw the flie slowly , and ( not directly upon him , but ) sloaping and sidewise by him , which will make him more eager lest it escape him ; for if you move it nimbly and quick , they will not ( being fish of slow motion ) follow as the Trout will. 2. When Chub , Roch , Dace shew themselves , in a Sunshiny day upon the top of the water , they are most easily caught with baits proper for them , and you may chuse from amongst them which you please to take . 3. They take an artificial flie with a Cadbait or Oakworm on the point of the hook , and the Oak-worm when they shew themselves is better upon the water than under , or than the flie it self , and more desired by them . CHAP. III. Of the Artificial Flie. HAving given these few directions for the use of the natural flie of all sorts , shewed the time and season of their coming , and how to find them , and cautioned you in the use of them , I shall proceed to treat of the artificial flie . But here I must premise , that it is much better to learn how to make a flie by sight , than by any Paper-direction can possibly be expressed , in regard the Terms of Art do in most parts of England differ , and also several sorts of flies are called by different names ; some call the flie bred of the water Cricket or Creeper a May-flie , and some a Stone-flie ; some call the Cadbait flie a May , and some call a short fly of a sad golden green color , with short brown wings , a May-flie : and I see no reason but all flies bred in May , are properly enough called May-flies . Therefore except some one ( that hath skill ) would paint them , I can neither well give their names nor describe them , without too much trouble and prolixity ; nor as I alleaged , in regard of the variety of Soils and Rivers , describe the flies that are bred and frequent each : But the Angler ( as I before directed ) having found the flie which the fish at present affect , let him make one as like it as possibly he can , in colour , shape , proportion ; and for his better imitation let him lay the natural flie before him . All this premised and considered , let him go on to make his flie , which according to my own practice I thus advise . First , I begin to set on my hook , ( placing the hair on the inside of its shank ) with such coloured Silk as I conceive most proper for the flie , beginning at the end of the hook , and when I come to that place which I conceive most proportionable for the wings , then I place such coloured feathers there , as I apprehend most resemble the wings of the flie , and set the points of the wings towards the head , or else I run the feathers ( and those must be stript from the Quill or Pen , with part of it still cleaving to the feathers ) round the hook , and so make them fast , if I turn the feathers round the hook , then I clip away those that are upon the back of the hook , that so ( if it be possible ) the point of the hook may be forced by the feathers ( left on the inside of the hook ) to swim upwards ; and by this means I conceive the stream will carry your flies wings in the posture of one flying ; whereas if you set the points of the wings backwards , towards the bending of the hook , the stream ( if the feathers be gentle as they ought ) will fould the points of the wings in the bending of the hook , as I have often found by experience : After I have set on the wing , I go on so far as I judge fit , till I fasten all , and then begin to make the body , and the head last , the body of the flie I make several wayes , if the flie be one intire colour , then I take a Worsted thred , or Moccado end , or twist wooll or fur into a kind of thred , or wax a small slender silk thred , and lay wooll , fur , &c. upon it , and then twist , and the material will stick to it , and then go on to make my flie small or large , as I please . If the flie ( as most are ) be of several colours , and those running in circles round the flie , then I either take two of these threds ( fastning them first towards the bent of the hook ) and so run them round , and fasten all at the wings , and then make the head , or else I lay upon the hook wooll , fur of Hare , Dog , Fox , Bear , Cow , Hog , ( which close to their bodies have a fine fur ) and with a silk of the other colour bind the same wooll or fur down , and then fasten all : Or instead of the silk running thus round the fly , you may pluck the feather from one side of those long feathers which grow about a Cock or Capons neck or tail ( which some call Hackle ) then run the same round your flie , from head to tail , making both ends fast ; but you must be sure to sute the feather answerable to the colour you are to imitate in the flie● ; and this way you may counterfeit those rough insects ( which some call Wooll-beds , because of their wool-like outside , and rings of divers colours ) I take them to be Palmer worms , which the fish much delight in . Let me adde this onely , that some flies have forked tails , and some have horns , both which you must imitate with a slender hair fastned to the head or tail of your flie , when you first set on your hook , and in all things , as length , colour , as like the natural flie as possibly you can : The head is made after all the rest of the body , of silk or hair , as being of a more shining glossy colour , than the other materials , as usually the head of the flie is more bright than the body , and is usually of a different colour from the body : Sometimes I make the body of the flie with a Peacocks feather , but that is onely one sort of flie , whose colour nothing else that I could ever get would imitate , being the short , sad , golden , green flie I before mentioned , which I make thus ; Take one strain of a Peacocks feather ( or if that be not sufficient , then another ) wrap it about the hook , till the body be according to your mind ; if your flie be of divers colours , and those lying long-wayes from head to tail , then I take my Dubbing , and lay them on the hook long-wayes , one colour by another ( as they are mixt in the natural flie ) from head to tail , then bind all on , and make it fast with silk of the most predominant colour ; and this I conceive is a more artificial way than is practised by many Anglers , who use to make such a flie all of one colour , and bind it on with silk , so that it looks like a flie with round circles , but nothing at all resembles the flie it is intended for ; the Head , Horns , Tail , are made as before . That you may the better counterfeit all sorts of flies , get furs of all sorts and colours you can possibly procure , as of Bears hair , Foxes , Cows , Hogs , Dogs , who next their bodies have a fine soft hair or fur , Moccado ends , Crewels , and dyed wooll of all colours , with feathers of Cocks , Capons , Hens , Teals , Mallards , Widgeons , Pheasants , Partridges , the feather under the Mallard , Teal or Widgeons wings , and about their tails , about a Cock or Capons neck and tail , of all colours ; and generally of all birds , Kite , Hickwall , &c. that you may make yours exactly of the colour with the natural flie . And here I must give some cautions and directions , as for the natural flie , and so pass on to baits for angling at the ground . 1. When you angle with the artificial flie , you must either fish in a River not fully cleared from some rain lately fallen , that had discoloured it ; or in a Moorish River , discoloured by moss or bogs ; or else in a dark cloudy day , when a gentle gale of wind moves the water , but if the wind be high , yet so as you may guide your tools with advantage , they will rise in the plain Deeps , and then and there you will commonly kill the best fish ; but if the wind be little or none at all , you must angle in the swift streams . 2. You must keep your artificial flie in continuall motion , though the day be dark , water muddy , and wind blow , or else the fish will discerne and refuse it . 3. If you angle in a River that is mudded by rain , or passing through mosses or bogs , you must use a larger bodyed flie than ordinary ; which argues that in clear Rivers the flie must be smaller , and this not being observed by some , hindereth their sport , and they impute their want of success to their want of the right flie , when perhaps they have it , but made too large . 4. If the water be clear and low , then use a small-bodied fl●e with slender wings . 5. When the water beginneth to clear after rain , and is of a brownish colour , then a red or Orenge flie . 6. If the day be clear , then a light coloured flie , with slender body and wings . 7. In dark weather as well as dark waters your flie must be dark . 8. If the water be of a Whey colour or whitish , then use a black or brown flie , yet these six last Rules do not alwayes hold , though usually they do , or else I had omitted them . 9. Observe principally the belly of the flie , for that colour the fish observe most , as most in their eye . 10. When you angle with an artificial flie , your line may be twice the length of your rod , except the River be much cumbred with wood and trees . 11. For every sort of flie have three , one of a lighter colour , another sadder than the natural flie , and a third of the exact colour with the flie , to sute all waters and weathers as before . 12. I could never find ( by any experience of mine own or other mans observation ) that fish would freely and eagerly rise at the artificial flie in any slow muddy River ; by muddy Rivers I mean such Rivers , whose bottom or ground is slime or mud ; for such as are mudded by rain ( as I have already , and shall afterwards further shew ) at some times and seasons I would chuse to angle , yet in standing Meers or Sloughs I have known them ( in a good wind ) to rise very well , but not so in slimy Rivers , either Weever in Cheshire , or Sow in Stafford-shire , and others in Warwick-shire , &c. and Blackwater in Ulster ; in the last , after many tryals I could never find ( though in its best streams ) almost any sport , save at its influx into Lough Neaugh , but there the working of the Lough makes it sandy ; and they will bite also near Tome Shanes Castle , Mountjoy , Antrim , &c. even to admiration ; yet sometimes they will rise in that River a little , but not comparable to what they will do in every little Lough , in any small gale of wind : And though I have often reasoned in my own thoughts to search out the true cause of this , yet I could never so fully satisfie my owne judgment , so as to conclude any thing positively ; yet have taken up these two ensuing particulars as most probable . 1. I did conceive the depth of the Loughs might hinder the force of the Sun-beams from operating upon , or heating the mud , which in those Rivers ( though deep , yet not so deep by much as the Loughs ) I apprehend it doth , because in great droughts fish bite but little in any River , but nothing at all in slimy Rivers , in regard the mud is not cooled by the constant and swift motion of the River , as in gravelly or sandy Rivers , where ( in fit seasons ) they rise most freely , and bite most eagerly , save as before in droughts , notwithstanding at that season some sport may be had , ( though not with the flie ) whereas nothing at all will be done in muddy slow Rivers . 2. My second supposition was , Whether ( according to that old received Axiom , Suo cuique similima coelo ) the fish might not partake of the nature of the River , in which they are bred and live , as we see in men born in fenny , boggy , low , moist grounds , and thick air , who ordinarily want that present quickness , vivacity and activity of body and mind , which persons born in dry , hilly , sandy soils and clear air , are usually endued withall : And so the fish participating of the nature of the muddy River , which are ever slow , ( for if they were swift , the stream would cleanse them from all mud ) are not so quick , lively and active , as those bred in swift , sandy or stony Rivers , and so coming to the flie with more deliberation , discern the same to be counterfeit , and forsake it ; whereas on the contrary , in stony , sandy , swift Rivers ( being more cold ) the fish are more active , and so more hungry and eager , the stream and hand keeping the flie in continual motion , they snap the same up without any pause , lest so desireable a morsel escape them . 13. You must have a very quick eye , a nimble rod and hand , and strike with the rising of the fish , or he instantly finds his mistake , and putteth out the hook again : I could never ( my eye-sight being weak ) discern perfectly where my flie was , the wind and stream carrying it so to and again , that the line was never any certain direction or guide to me ; but if I saw any fish rise , I use to strike if I discerned it might be within the length of my line . 14. Be sure in casting that your flie fall first into the water , if the line fall first , it scareth the fish ; therefore draw it back , and cast againe , that the flie may fall first . 15. When you try how to fit your colour to the flie , wet your fur , hair , wool or Moccado , otherwise you will fail in your work ; for though when they are dry they exactly sute the colour of the flie , yet the water will alter most colours , and make them lighter or darker . The best way to angle with the Cadbait , is to fish with it on the top of the water as you do with the flie ; it must stand upon the shank of the hook , as doth the artificial flie , ( if it come into the bent of the hook , the fish will little or not at all value it , nor if you pull the blue gut out of it ) and to make it keep that place , you must , when you set on your hook , fasten a Horse-hair or two under the silk , with the ends standing a very little out from under the silk , and pointing towards the line , and this will keep it from sliding back into the bent ; and thus used it is a most excellent bait for a Trout . You may imitate the Cadbait , by making the body of Shammy , the head black silk . I might here insert several sorts of flies , with the colours that are used to make them ; but for the reasons before given , that their colours alter in several rivers and soils , and also because though I name the colours , yet it s not easie to chuse that colour by any description , except so largely performed as would be over large , and swell this small Piece beyond my intended conciseness ; and I suppose the former directions ( which are easie and short ) if rightly observed , are full enough and sufficient for making and finding out all sorts of flies in all rivers . I shall only adde , that the Salmon flies must be made with wings standing one behind the other , whether two-or four ; also he delights in the most gaudy and orient colours you can chuse ; the wings I mean chiefly , if not altogether , with long tails and wings . CHAP. IV. Of Angling at the ground . NOw we are come to the second sort of Angling , ( viz. ) , Under the water , which if it be with the ground-line for the Trout , then you must not use any flote at all , onely a Plumb of Lead , which I would wish might be a small Bullet , the better to rowle on the ground ; and it must also be lighter or heavier , as the stream runneth swift or slow , and you must place it about nine inches or a foot from the hook , the Lead must run upon the ground , and you must keep your line as streight as possible , yet by no means so as to raise the lead from the ground ; your top must be very gentle , that the fish may more easily , and ( to himself ) insensibly run away with the bait , and not be scared with the stiffnesse of the rod ; and if you make your top of Black-thorn and Whale-bone , as I before directed , it will conduce much to this purpose : Neither must you strike so soon as you feel the fish bite , but slack your line ( a little ) that so he may more securely swallow the bait , and hook himself , which he will sometimes do , especially if he be a good one ; however the least jerk hooks him , and indeed you can scarce strike too easily . Your Tackle must be very fine and slender , and so you will have more sport than if you had strong lines , ( which fright the Fish ) but the slender line is easily broke with a small jerk . The Morning and Evening are best for the ground-line for a Trout in clear weather and water , but in cloudy weather or muddy water , you may angle at ground all day . 2. You may also in the night angle for the Trout with two great Garden worms , hanging as equally in length as you can place them on your hook ; cast them from you as you would cast the flie , and draw them to you again upon the top of the water , and suffer them not to sink ; therefore you must use no Lead this way of angling ; you may hear the Fish rise , give some time for him to gorge your bait , as at the ground , then strike gently . I● he will not take them at the top , adde some Lead , and try at the ground , as in the day time , when you feel him bite , order your self as in day angling at the ground : Usually the best Trouts bite in the night , and will rise in the still Deeps , but not ordinarily in the stream . 3. You may angle also with a Menow for the Trout , which you must put on your hook thus ; First , put your hook through the very point of his lower Chap , and draw it quite through , then put your hook in at his mouth , and bring the point to his tail , then draw your line streight , and it will bring him into a round compass , and close his mouth that no water get in , which you must avoid , or you may stitch up his mouth : Or you may ( when you set on your hook ) fasten some bristles under the silk , leaving the points above a straws breadth and half , or almost half an inch standing out towards the line , which will keep him from slipping back . You may also imitate the Menow as well as the flie , but it must be done by an Artist with the Needle . You must also have a Swivel or Turn , placed about a yard or more from your hook ; you need no Lead on your line , you must continually draw your bait up the stream near the top of the water . If you strike a large Trout , and she either break hook or line , or get off , then near to her hold ( if you can discover it ) or the place you strook her , fix a short stick in the water , and with your Knife loose a small piece of the rind , so as you may lay your line in it , and yet the barck be close enough to keep your line in that it slip not out , nor the stream carry it away ; bait your hook with a Garden or Lob-worm ( let your hook and line be very strong ) let the bait hang a foot from the stick , then fasten the other end of your line to some stick or bough in the Bank , and within one hour you may be sure of her if all your tackle hold . The next way of Angling is with a Trowle for the Pike , which is very delightful , you may buy your Trowle ready made , therefore I shall not trouble my self to describe it , onely let it have a winch to wind it up withall . For this kind of fish your tackle must be strong , your Rod must not be very slender at the top , where you must place a small slender ring for your line to run through , let your line be silk at least two yards next the hook , and the rest of strong Shoomakers thred , your hook double , and strongly armed with wire for above a foot , then with a probe or needle you must draw the wire in at the fishes mouth and out at the tail , that so the hook may lie in the mouth of the fish , and both the poynts on either side ; upon the shank of the hook fasten some lead very smooth , that it go into the fishes mouth and sink her with the head downward , as though she had been playing on the top of the water , and were returning to the bottom ; your bait may be small Roch , Dace , Gudgeon , Loch , or a frog sometimes , your hook thus baited , you must tie the tail of the fish close and fast to the wire , or else with drawing to and again the fish will rend off the hook , or which I judge neater with a needle and strong thred , stitch through the fish on either side the wire and tie it very fast : all being thus fitted , cast your Fish up and down in such places as you know Pikes frequent , observing still that he sink some depth before you pull him up again . When the Pike commeth ( if it be not sunk deep ) you may see the water move , or at least you may feel him , then slack your line and give him length enough to run away to his hould , whither he will go directly , and there pouch it , ever beginning ( as you may observe ) with the head swallowing that first , thus let him lie untill you see the line move in the water , and then you may certainly conclude he hath pouched your bait , and rangeth abroad for more , then with your troul wind up your line till you think you have it almost streight , then with a smart jerk hook him , and make your pleasure to your content . Some use no Rod at all , but hold the line in links on their hand , using lead and float : others use a very great hook with the hook at the tail of the Fish , and when the Pike commeth then they strike at the first pull , others use to put a strong string or thred in at the mouth of the bait and out at one of the gills , and so over the head and in at the other gill , and so tie the bait to the hook , leaving a little length of the thred or string betwixt the Fish and the hook , that so the Pike may turn the head of the bait the better to swallow it , & then as before , after some pause strike . Some u●e to tie the bait-hook and line to a bladder or bundle of flags or bull-rushes , fastning the line very gently in the cleft of a small stick , to hold the bait from sinking more then ( its allowed length ) half a yard , and the stick must be fastned to the bladder or flags , to which the line being tyed that it may easily unfold and run to its length , and so give the Pike liberty to run away with the bait , and by the bladder or flags recover their line again . You must observe this way to turn off your bait with the wind or stream , that they may carry it away , or some use ( for more sport , if the Pike be a great one ) to tie the same to the foot of a goose which the Pike ( if large ) will sometime pull under the water . Before I proceed to give you each sort of bait for every kind of Fish ; give me leave to adde a caution or two , for the ground-line and Fishing , as I did for the natural and artificial flie , and then we shall go on . There are two wayes of fishing for Eels ; proper and peculiar to that fish alone ; the first is termed by some , Brogling for Eels , which is thus , take a short strong Rod and exceeding strong line , with a little compassed but strong hook , which you must bait with a large well scoured Red-Worm , then place the end of the hook very easily in a cleft of a stick , that it may very easily slip out ; with this stick and hook thus baited , search for holes under Stones , Timber , Roots , or about Floud-gates ; if there be a good Eele , give her time and she will take it , but be sure she hath gorged it , and then you may conclude , if your tackling or hold fail not , she is your own . The other way is called Bobbing for Eeles , which is thus ; Take the largest Garden-worms , scower them well , and with a Needle run a very strong thred or silk through them from end to end , take so many as that at last you may wrap them about a Board ( for your hand will be too narrow ) a dozen times at least , then tye them fast with the two ends of the thred or silk , that they may hang in so many long bouts or hanks , then fasten all to a strong Cord , and something more than a handful above the worms , fasten a plumb of lead , of about three quarters of a pound , and then make your Cord sure to a long and strong Pole ; with these worms thus ordered you must fish in a muddy water , and you will feel the Eeles tugge strongly at them ; when you think they have swallowed them as far as they can , gently draw up your worms and Eeles , and when you have them near the top of the water , hoist them amain to land ; and thus you may take three or four at once , and good ones if there be store . 1. When you angle at ground , keep your line as streight as possible , suffering none of it to lye in the water , because it hindereth the nimble jerk of the rod , but if ( as sometimes it will happen ) you cannot avoid , but some little will lie in the water , yet keep it in the stream above your float , by no meanes below it . 2. When you angle at ground for small fish , put two hooks to your line fastned together thus ; Lay the two hooks together , then draw the one shorter than the other by nine inches , this causeth the other end to over-reach as much as that is shorter at the hooks , then turn that end back to make a bought or boute , and with a Water-knot ( in which you must make both the links to fasten ) tye them so as both links may hang close together , and not come out at both ends of the knot ; upon that link which hangeth longest , fasten your Lead near a foot above the hook , put upon your hooks two different baits , and so you may try ( with more ease and less time ) what bait the fish love best : and also very often ( as I have done ) take two fish at once with one Rod : You have also by this experiment one bait for such as feed close upon the ground , as Gudgeon , Flounder , &c. and another for such as feed a little higher , as Roch , Dace , &c. 3. Some use to lead their lines heavily , and to set their Cork about a foot or more from the end of the Rod , with a little Lead to buoy it up , and thus in violent swift streams they avoid the offence of a flote , and yet perfectly discern the biting of the fish , and so order themselves accordingly ; but this hath its inconvenience , ( viz. ) The lying of the line in the water . 4. Give all fish time to gorge the bait , and be not over hasty , except you angle with such tender baits , as will not endure nibbling at , but must upon every touch be struck at ( as Sheeps-bloud-flies , which are taken away at the first pull of the fish ) and therefore enforce you at the first touch to try your fortune . Now we are to speak next of Baits , more particularly proper for every fish , wherein I shall observe this method , first to name the fish , then the baits , ( according as my experience hath proved them ) grateful to the fish , and to place them as near as I can in such order as they come in season , though many of them are in season at one instant of time , and equally good . I would not be understood , as if when a new bait cometh in , the old one were antiquated and useless ; for I know the worm lasteth all the year , flie all Summer , one sort of Bob all Winter ; the other under Cow-dung in June and July : but I intimate that some are found when others are not in rerum natura . CHAP. V. Of all sorts of Baits for each kind of Fish , and how to find and keep them . 1. THe Salmon taketh the artificial flie very well , but you must use a Trowle ( as for the Pike ) or he being a strong fish will hazard your line , except you give him length ; his flies must be much larger than you use for other fish , the wings very long ( two or four ) behind one another , with very long tails ; his chiefest ground-bait a great Garden or Lob-worm . 2. The Trout takes all sorts of worms , especially Brandlings ; all sorts of flies , Menow , young Frogs , Marsh-worme , Dock-worme , Flag-worme ; all sorts of Cadbait , Bob , Palmers , Caterpillers , Gentles , Wasps , Hornets , Dores , Bees , Grashoppers , Cankers and Bark-worm ; he is a ravenous greedy fish , and loveth a large bait at ground , and you must fit him accordingly . 3. The Umber is generally taken with the same baits as the Trout ; he is an eager fish , biteth freely , and will rise often at the same flie , if you prick him not . The Barbel bites best at great red worms well scowered in Moss , at Cheese and several sorts of Pastes , and Gentles . 4. Carp and Tench love the largest red worms , the Tench especially if they smell much of Tar ; to which end you may some small time before you use them , take so many as you will use at that time , and put them by themselves in a little Tar , but let them not lye long lest it kill them ; Paste also of all sorts made with strong-sented Oyles , Tar , Bread-grain boiled soft , Maggots , Gentles , Marsh-worm , Flag-worm , especially feed much and often for these Fish. 5. The Pike taketh all sorts of baits , ( save the flie ) Gudgeon , Roches , Dace , Loaches , young Frogs in Summer : You may halter him thus ; Fasten a strong line with a snare at the end of it to a Pole , which if you go circumspectly to work , he will permit you to put it over his head , and then you must by strength hoist him to land . 6. Eeles , take great red worms , Beef , Wasps , guts of Fowles and Menow : Bait Night-hooks for him with small Roches , the hook must lye in the mouth of the Fish , as for the Pike ; this way takes the greatest Eeles . 7. Barbel , Cheese , or Paste made of it with Suet , Maggots and red worms , feed much for this Fish. 8. The Gadgeon , Ruff and Bleak take the smallest red worms , Cadbait , Gentles , Wasps : the Bleak takes the natural or artificial flie , especially in the Evening . The Ruff taketh the same baits as the Pearch , save that you must have lesser worms , he being a smaller Fish. 9. Roch and Dace , small worms , Cadbait , Flies , Bobs , Sheeps bloud , small white Snails , all sorts of worms bred on herbs or trees , Paste , Wasps , Gnats , Cherries and Lipberries . The Bleak is an eager Fish , and takes the same baits as the Roch , onely they must be less : You may angle for him with as many hooks , on your line at once , as you can conveniently fasten on it . 10. Chevin , all sorts of earth , worms , Bob , Menow , Flies of all sorts , Cadbait , all sorts of worms bred on herbs and trees , especially Oak-worms , young Frogs , Cherries , Wasps , Dores , Bees , Grashopper at the top of the water , Cheese , grain , Beetles , a great brown Flie that lives on the Oak like a Scarrabee , black Snails , their bellies slit that the white appear ; he loveth a large bait , as a Waspe , Colwort-worm , and then a Waspe altogether . 11. Bream , loveth red worms , especially those that are got at the root of a great Dock , it lyeth wrapped up in a knot or round Clue ; Paste , Flag-worms , Wasps , green flies , Butter-flies , a Grashopper his legs cut off . 12. Flownder , Shad , Suant , Thwait and Mullet , love red worms of all sorts , Wasps and Gentles . As for the Menow , Loach , Bull-head or Millers-thumb , being usually Childrens recreation , I once purposed to have omitted them wholly , but considering they often are baits for better fish , as Trout , Pike , Eele , &c. Neither could this Discourse be general if they were omitted ; and though I should wave mentioning them , yet I cannot forget them , who have so often vexed me with their unwelcome eagernesse ; for the Menow will have a part in the play , if you come where he is , which is almost every where , you need not seek him ; I use to find him oftner than I desire , onely deep still places he least frequents of any , and is not over curious in his baits ; any thing will serve that he can swallow , and he will strain hard for what he cannot gorge ; but chiefly loveth smallest red wormes , Cadbait , worms bred on herbs or trees , and Wasps . The Loach and Bullhead are much of the same dyet , but their principall bait is smallest red worms , Having spoken before of Pastes , I shall now shew how you may make the same ; and though there be as many kinds as men have fancies , yet I esteem these best . 1. Take the tenderest part of the leg of a young Rabbet , Whelp or Catling , as much Virgin wax and Sheeps Suet , beat them in a Mortar till they be perfectly incorporated , then with a little clarified Honey temper them before the Fire into a Paste . 2. Sheeps Kidney Suet , as much Cheese , fine Flower or Manchet , make it into a Paste , soften it with clarifyed Honey . 3. Sheeps bloud , Cheese , fine Manchet , clarifyed Honey , make all into a Paste . 4. Cherries , Sheeps bloud , Saffron , and fine Manchet , make all into a Paste . You may adde to any Paste Coculus Indie , Assa foetida , Oyle of Polipody of the Oak , of Lignum vitae , of Ivie , or the gum of Ivie dissolved : I judge there is vertue in these Oyles , and Gum especially , which I would adde to all Pastes I make ; as also a little Flax to keep the Paste that it wash not off the hook . CHAP. VI. To keep your Baits . 1. PAste will keep very long if you put Virgin wax and clarified Honey into it , and stick well on the hook if you beat Cotton Wooll or Flax into it , when you make your Paste . 2. Put your worms into very good long Moss , whether white , red or green , I matter not ; wash it well , and cleanse it from all earth and filth , wring it very dry , then put your Moss and worms into an earthen Pot , cover it close that they crawle not out , set it in a cool place in Summer , and in Winter in a warm place , that the Frost kill them not ; every third day in Summer change your Moss , once in the week in Winter ; the longer you keep them before you use them , the better : Clean scowering your worms makes them clearer , redder , tougher , and to live long on the hook , and to keep colour , and therefore more desireable to the Fish : A little Bole-Armoniack put to them will much further your desire , and scower them in a short time : Or you may put them all night in water , and they will scower themselves , but will be weak ; but a few hours in good Moss will recover them . But lest your worms die , you may feed them with crums of Bread and Milk , or fine Flowre and Milk , or the Yelk of an Egge and sweet Cream coagulated over the Fire , give them a little and often ; sometimes also put to them earth cast out of a Grave , the newer the Grave the better , I mean the shorter time the party hath been buried , you will find the fish will exceedingly covet them after this earth ; & here you may gather what gum that is , which J. D. in his Secrets of Angling , calleth Gum of life . 3. You must keep all other sorts of worms with the leaves of those trees and herbs , on which they are bred , renewing the leaves often in a day , and put in fresh for the old ones : The Boxes you keep them in , must have a few small holes to let in air . 4. Keep Gentles or Maggots with dead flesh , Beasts Livers or Suet , cleanse or scower them in Meal , or Bran which is better ; you may breed them by pricking a Beasts Liver full of holes , hang it in the Sun in Summer time , set an old course Barrel or small Firken with Clay and Bran in it , into which they will drop , and cleanse themselves in it . 5. Cadbait cannot endure the wind and cold , therefore keep them in a thick woollen Bag , with some Gravel amongst them , wet them once a day at least if in the house , but often in the hot weather ; when you carry them forth , fill the bag full of water , then hold the mouth close , that they drop not out , and so let the water run from them ; I have thus kept them three weeks : Or you may put them into an earthen Pot full of water , with some Gravel at the bottom , and take them forth into your bag as you use them . 6. The spawn of some Fish is a good bait , to be used at such time as that Fish spawneth , some dayes before they spawn they will bite eagerly ; if you take one that is full-bellied , take out the spawn , boil it so hard as to stick on your hook , and so use it ; or not boil it at all , the spawn of Salmon is best of all sorts of spawn . 7. I have observed , that Chevin , Roch , Dace bite much better at the Oak-worm , ( or any worm bred on herbs or trees ) especially if you angle with the same ( when they shew themselves ) at the top of the water , ( as with the natural flie ) then if you use it under ; for I have observed , that when a gale of wind shaketh the trees , the worms fall into the water , and presently rise and flote on the top , where I have seen the Fish rise at them as at flies , which taught me this experience , and indeed they sink not till tost and beaten by the stream , and so they dye and lose their colour , and then the Fish ( as you may see by your own on your hook ) do not much esteem them . 8. There are two ; some say three , sorts of Cadbait ; the one bred under stones , that lye hollow in shallow Rivers or small Brooks , in a very fine gravelly case or husk , these are yellow when ripe : the other in old Pits , Ponds or slow running Rivers or Ditches , in cases or husks of Straw , sticks or Rushes , these are green when ripe ; both are excellent for a Trout , used as before is directed , and for most sorts of small Fish. The green sort , which is bred in Pits , Ponds or Ditches , may be found in March before the other yellow ones come in ; the other yellow ones come in season with May or the end of April , and go out in July : a second sort , but smaller , come in again in August . 9. Yellow Bobs are also of two sorts , the one bred in mellow light soils , and gathered after the Plough when the Land is first broken up from grazing , and are in season in the Winter till March ; the other sort is bred under Cow-dung , hath a red head ; and these are in season in the Summer only : scowre them in Bran , or dry Moss , or Meal . 10. Under the bark of an Oak , Ash , Alder , and Birch especially , if they lie a year or more after they are fallen , you may find a great white Worm , with a brown head , something resembling a Dore-Bee or Humble-Bee , this is in season all the year , especially from September until June , or mid - May ; the Umber covets this bait above any , save Fly and Cad-bait : you may also find this Worm in the body of a rotted Alder , if you break it with an Ax or Beetle , but be careful only to shake the tree in pieces with beating , and crush not the Worm : you may also find him under the bark of the stump of a tree , if decayed . 11. Dry your Wasps , Dares , or Bees upon a Tile-stone , or in an Oven cooled after baking , lest they burn ; and to avoid that , you must lay them on a thin board or chip , and cover them with another so supported , as not to crush them , or else clap two Cakes together : this way they will keep long , and stick on your hook well . If you boyl them hard , they grow black in a few days . 12. Dry your Sheeps blood in the air upon a dry board , till it become a pretty hard lump ; then cut it into small pieces for your use . 13. When you use Grain , boyl it soft , and get off the outward rind , which is the bran ; and then if you will , you may fry the same in Honey and Milk , or some strong sented Oyls , as Polypody , Spike , Ivy , Tunpentine ; for Nature , which maketh nothing in vain , hath given the Fish Nostrils , and that they can smell is undeniable ; and , I am perswaded , are more guided by the sense of smelling than sight ; for sometimes they will come to the float , if any Wax be upon it , smell at it and go away . We see also that strong sents draw them together ; as , put Grains , Worms , or Snails in a bottle of Hay tied pretty close , and you will , if you pluck it out suddenly , sometimes draw up Eeles in it . But I never yet made trial of any of these Oyls ; for , when I had the Oyls , I wanted time to try them ; or when I had time , I wanted the Oyls : but I recommend them to tryal of others , and do purpose ( God willing ) to prove their virtue my self , especially that Oyntment so highly commended by I. D. in his Secret of Angling . 14. When you see the Ant-Flyes in greatest plenty , go to the Ant-hills where they breed , take a great handful of the earth , with as much of the roots of the grass that groweth on those Hills , put all into a large glass bottle , then gather a pottle full of the blackest Ant-flyes unbruised , put them into the bottle ( or into a firkin , if you would keep them long ) first washed with Honey , or Water and Honey ; Roach and Dace will bite at these Flyes under water near the ground . 15. When you gather Bobs after the Plough , put them into a Firkin with sufficient of the soyle they were bred in , to preserve them , stop the vessel exceeding close , or all will spoyl , set it where neither wind nor frost may offend them , and they will keep all winter for your use . 16. At the later end of September , take some dead Carrion that hath some Maggots bred in it that begin to creep , bury all deep in the ground , that the frost kill them not , and they will serve in March or April following to use . 17. To find the Flag-worm do thus , go to an old pond or pit where there are store of Flags , or ( as some call them ) Sedges , pull some up by the roots , then shake those roots in the water , till all the mud and dirt be washed away from them , then amongst the small strings or fibres that grow to the roots , you will find little husks or cases of a reddish or yellowish , and some of other colours , open these carefully with a pin , and you will find in them a little small Worm , white as a Gentle , but longer and slenderer ; this is an excellent bait for Tench , Bream , especially Carp : if you pull the Flags in sunder , and cut open the round stalk , you will also finde a Worm like the former in the husks , but tougher , and in that respect better . CHAP. VII . Of several haunts or resorts of Fishes , and in what Rivers or places of them they are most usually found . THis part of our Discourse being a discovery of the several places or Rivers each kind of fish doth most haunt , or covet , and in which they are ordinarily found . The several sorts of Rivers , Streams , Soyls and Waters they most frequent , is a matter ( in this under valuable Art ) of no smal importance ; for if you come with baits for the Trout or Umber , and Angle for them in slow muddy Rivers or places , you will have little ( if any ) sport at all : and to seek for Carp or Tench in stony swift Rivers , is equally preposterous ; and though I know that some times you may meet with fish in such rivers and places , as they do not usually frequent ( for no general rule but admits of particular exceptions ) yet the exact knowledge of what rivers or soyls , or what part of the river ( for some rivers have swift gravelly streams , and also slow , deep , muddy places ) such or such sorts of fish do most frequent , will exceedingly adapt you , to know what rivers , or what part of them are most fit for your baits , or what baits suit best with each river , and the fish in the same . 1. The Salmon loveth large swift rivers where it ebbeth and floweth , and there they are found in greatest numbers ; nevertheless I have known them to be found in lesser rivers , high up in the Country , yet chiefly in the later end of the year , when they come thither to spawn , he chuseth the most swift and violent streams , ( or rather Cataracts ) and in England the clearest gravelly rivers usually with rocks or weeds ; but in Ireland I do not know any river ( I mean high in the Country ) that hath such plenty of them , as the black water by Charlemont , and the broad water by Shanes Castle , both which have their heads in great boggs , and are of a dark muddy colour , and very few ( comparatively ) in the upper ban , though clearer and swifter than they . 2. The Trout loveth small purling Brooks , or Rivers that are very swift , and run upon stones or gravel ; he feedeth whilest strong in the swiftest streams behind a stone , logge , or some small bank that shooteth into the river , which the streams beareth upon ; and there he lieth watching for what cometh down the stream , and suddenly catcheth it up ; his hold is usually in the deep , under a hollow place of the bank , or a stone that lieth hollow , which he loveth exceedingly ; and sometimes , but not so usually he is found amongst weeds . 3. The Pearch loveth a gentle stream of a reasonable depth , ( seldom shallow ) close by a hollow Bank ; and though these three sorts of fish covet clear and swift Rivers , green weeds and stony gravel ; yet they are sometimes found ( but not in such plenty and goodness ) in slow muddy Rivers . 4. Carp , Tench and Eele seek mud and a still water ; Eeles under roots or stones , a Carp chuseth the deepest and stillest place of Pond or River , so doth the Tench , and also green weeds , which he loveth exceedingly : Greatest Eeles love as before , but the smaller ones are found in all sorts of Rivers and soils . 5. Pike , Bream and Chub , chuse Sand or Clay ; the Bream a gentle stream and broadest part of the River ; the Pike still Pools full of Frie , and shelters himself ( the better to surprise his prey unawares ) amongst Bull-rushes , water-docks , or under Bushes ; the Chub loves the same ground , ( is more rarely found without some tree to shade and cover him ) large Rivers and streams . 6. Barbel , Roch , Dace , Ruff , seek Gravel and Sand more than the Bream , and the deepest parts of the River , where shady trees are more grateful to them , than to the Chub or Chevin . 7. The Umber desires Marle , Clay , clear waters , swift streams , far from the Sea , ( for I never saw any taken near it ) and the greatest plenty of them that I know of , are found in the mountainous parts of Derby-shire , Stafford-shire , as Dove-trent , Derwent , &c. 8. Gudgeon desires sandy , gravelly , gentle streams , and smaller Rivers , but I have known them taken in great abundance in Trent in Derby shire , where it is very large , but conceive them to be in greater plenty nearer the head of that River about or above Heywood : I can say the same of other Rivers , and therefore conceive they love smaller Rivers rather than the large , or the small Brooks ; for I never found them in so great plenty in Brooks , as small Rivers : He bites best in the Spring till he spawns , and little after till Wasp time . 9. Shad , Thwait , Peel , Mullet , Suant and Flounder , love chiefly to be in or near the saltish waters , where it ebbeth and floweth ; I have known the Flounder taken ( in good plenty ) in fresh Rivers , they covet Sand and Gravel , deep gentle streams near the Bank , or at the end of a stream in a deep still place : Though these rules may and do hold good in the general , yet I have found them admit of particular exceptions ; but every mans habitation ingageth him to one or ( usually at most to ) two Rivers , his own experience will quickly inform him of the nature of the same , and the fish in them . I would perswade all that love angling , and desire to be complete Anglers , to spend some time in all sorts of ▪ Waters , Ponds , Rivers , swift and slow , stony , gravelly , muddy and slimy ; and to observe all the differences in the nature of the fish , the waters and baits , and by this means he will be able to take fish where ever he angleth ; otherwise ( through want of experience ) he will be like the man that could read in no book but his own ; besides , a man ( his occasions or desires drawing him from home ) must onely stand as an idle spectator , whilest others kill fish , but he none , and so lose the repute of a complete Angler , how excellent soever he be at his own known River . Furthermore , you must understand , that as some fish covet one soil more than another ; so they differ in their choice of places , in every season : some keep all Summer long near the top , some never leave the bottom ; for the former sort you may angle with a Quill or small flote near the top , with a flie or any sort of worm bred on herbs or trees ; or with a flie at the top : the later sort you will all Summer long find at the tails of Wiers , Mills , Floud-gates , Arches of Bridges , or the more shallow parts of the River , in a strong , swift or gentle stream , except Carp , and Tench , and Eele ; in Winter all flye into the deep still places : Where it ebbeth and floweth they will sometimes bite best , in the ebbe most usually , sometimes when it floweth , rarely at full water near the Arches of Bridges , Wiers , Floud-gates . CHAP. VIII . What times are unseasonable to angle in . THere being a time for all things , in which with ease and facility the same may be accomplished , and most difficult , if not impossible , at another : The skill and knowledge how to chuse the best season to angle , and how to avoid the contrary , come next to be handled ; which I shall do first Negatively , viz. What times are unfit to angle ; and then Affirmatively , which are the best seasons . 1. When the earth is parched with a great drought , so that the Rivers run with a much less current than is usual , it s to no purpose to angle ; and indeed the heat of the day in Summer ( except cooled by winds , and shaddowed with Clouds , though there be no drought ) you will find very little sport , especially in muddy , or very shallow and clear Rivers . 2. In cold , frosty , snowy weather , I know the fish must eat in all seasons , and that a man may kill fish when he must first break the Ice ; yet I conceive the sport is not then worth pursuing , the extreme cold taking away the delight ; besides , the indangering health ( if not life ) by those colds , which at least cause Rhumes and Coughs : Wherefore I leave Winter and night angling to such strong healthful bodies , whose extraordinary delight in angling , or those whose necessity enforceth them to seek profit by their recreation in such unseasonable times . 3. When there happeneth any small frost , all that day after the fish will not rise freely and kindly , except in the evening , and that the same prove very pleasant . 4. If the wind be extream high , so that you cannot guide your tools to advantage . 5. When Shepherds or Country-men wash their Sheep , though whilest they are washing ( I mean the first time onely ) the fish will bite exceedingly well ; I suppose the filth that falleth from the Sheep doth draw them ( as your baiting a place ) together , and then they so glut themselves , that till the whole washing time be over , and they have disgested their fulness , they will not take any artificial baits . 6. Sharp , bitter , nipping winds , which most usually blow out of the North or East especially , blast your recreation ; but this is rather the season than the wind , though I also judge those winds have a secret maligne quality to hinder the recreation . 7. After any sort of fish have spawned they will not bite any thing to purpose , until they have recovered their strength and former appetite . 8. When any clouds arise that will certainly bring a showre , or storm ( though in the midst of Summer ) they will not bite : I have observed that though the fish bite most eagerly , and to your hearts content , yet upon the first appearing of any clouds , that will certainly bring rain ( though my own judgment could not then apprehend , or in the least conjecture , that a storm was arising ) they have immediately left off biting ; and that hath been all that hath given me to understand that a showre was coming , and that it was Prudence to seek shelter against the same . CHAP. IX . The best times and seasons to angle . WE now come to the affirmamative part , which is the best season to angle , that as before we discovered when it would be lost labour to seek recreation ; so now you may learn to improve opportunity ( when it offers it self ) to best advantage . 1. Calm , clear ( or which is better ) coole cloudy weather in Summer , the wind blowing gently , so as you may guide your tools with ease ; in the hottest months the cooler the better . 2. When the floods have carried away all the filth that the rain had washed from the higher grounds into the river , and that the river keepeth his usual bounds , and looketh of a Whay colour . 3. When a sudden violent shower hath a little mudded and raised the river ; then if you go forth in , or immediately after such a showre , and angle in the stream at the ground ( with a red worm chiefly ) if there be store of fish in the river , you will have sport to your own desire . 4. A little before any fish spawn ( your own observation will inform you of the time by the fulness of their bellies ) they come into the gravelly , sandy foards to rub and loosen their bellies , and then they bite very freely . 5. When Rivers after rain do rise , yet so as that they keep within their banks , in swift rivers the violence of the stream forceth the fish to seek shelter and quiet ease , in the little and milder currents of small Brooks , where they fall into larger Rivers , and behind the ends of Bridges that are longer than the breadth of the River , making a low vacancy , where the Bridge defends , a small spot of ground from the violence of the stream , or in any low place near the rivers side , where the fish may lie at rest and secure from the disturbance of the rapid stream ; in such a place ( being not very deep ) and at such a time , you will find sport : my self have ever found it equal to the best season . 6. Early in the morning from ( Carp and Tench before ) Sun rising , until eight of the clock ; and from four after noon till night ; Carp and Tench , from Sun set till far in the night in the hot months . 7. In March , beginning of April , later end of September , and all winter fish bite best in the warmth of the day , no winds stirring , the air clear ; in Summer months , morning and evening is best , or cool cloudy weather : if you can find shelter , no matter how high the wind be . 8. Fish rise best at the flye after , a shower that hath not mudded the water , yet hath beaten the Gnats and Flyes into the Rivers , you may in such a shower observe them rise much if you will endure the rain ; also the best months for the flye are March , April , May , part of June ; in the cooler months , in the warmest time of the day ; in warmer weather , about nine in the morning ; three after noon , if any gentle gale blow ; sometimes in a warm evening , when the gnats play much . Also after the River is cleared from a flood they rise exceeding well , I conceive they were glutted with ground baits , and now covet the fly , having wanted it a time . 1. A Trout bites best in a muddy rising water , in dark , cloudy , windy weather , early in the morning , from half an hour after eight till ten ; and in the afternoon , from three , till after four ; and sometimes in the evening ; but nine in the morning , and three afternoon are his chiefest and most constant hours of biting at ground or fly , as the water suits either ; March , April , May , and part of June are his chiefest months , though he bites well in July , August , and September . After a showre in the evening he riseth well at gnats . 2. Salmon , three afternoon , chiefly in May , Iune , Iuly , August , a clear water and some wind , and he biteth best when the wind bloweth against the stream , and near the Sea. 3. Carp and Tench , morning and evening very early and late , Iune , Iuly , and August , or indeed in the night . 4. A Chevin , from Sun rising or earlier ( at Snails especially , for in the heat of the day he careth not for them ) in Iune and Iuly , till about eight ; again at three after noon at ground or fly ; and his chief fly which he most delights in , is a great Moth , with a very great head , not unlike to an Owl , with whitish wings and yellowish body ( you may find them flying abroad in Summer evenings in Gardens ) some wind stirring , large Rivers chiefly , streams or shade , he will take a small Lamprey or Seaven-eyes , an Eele-brood , either of them about a straws bigness . 5. Pike bites best about three Afternoon , in a clear water , a gentle gale ; July , August , September , October . 6. A Bream from about Sun rising till eight in a muddy water , a good gale of wind ; and in Ponds the higher the wind , and where the waves are highest , and nearer the middle of the Pond , the better ; end of May , June , July ( especially ) and August . 7. Roch and Dace all day long , best at the top , at flie or Oak-worm principally , and at all other worms bred on herbs or trees , Palmers , Caterpillers , &c. in plain Rivers or Ponds , under Water-dock-leaves , under shady trees . 8. Gudgeon , April , and till he have spawned in May , and little after that till Wasp time , and then to the end of the year all day long . 9. Flounder all day in April , May , June , July . CHAP. X. General Observations . 1. LEt the Anglers Apparel be sad dark colours , as sad gray's , tawny , purple hair or musk colour . 2. Use Shoomakers wax to your silk or thred , with which you make or mend either rod or flie ; it holds more firmly , and sticketh better than any other . 3. Into such places as you use to angle at , once a week at least cast in all sorts of Corn boyled soft , grains washed in bloud , bloud dryed and cut into pieces , Snails , worms chopt small , pieces of fowle or beasts guts , beasts Livers ; for Carp and Tench you cannot feed too often , or too much ; this course draweth the fish to the place you desire : And to keep them together , cast about twenty grains of ground Malt at a time , now and then as you angle ; and indeed all sorts of baits are good to cast in , specially whilest you are angling with that bait ; principally Cadbait , Gentles and Wasps , and you will find they will snap up yours more eagerly , and with less suspicion ; but by no means when you angle in a stream cast them in at your hook , but something above where you angle , lest the stream carry them beyond your hook , and so instead of drawing them to you , you draw them from you . 4. Destroy all beasts or birds that devour the fish or their spawn , and endeavour ( whether in Authority or not ) to see all Statutes put in execution , against such as use unlawful Nets or means to take fish ; especially barre netting and Night-hooking . 5. Get your rods and tops without knots , they are dangerous for breaking . 6. Keep your rod dry , lest it rot ; and not near the fire , lest it grow brittle . 7. In drought wet your rod a little before you begin to angle . 8. Lob-worms , Dew-worms , and great Garden worms all one . 9. When you angle at ground , or with the natural flie , your line must not exceed the length of your rod. For the Trout at ground it must be shorter , and in some cases not half the length , as in small Brooks or woody Rivers , either at ground or with the natural flie . 10. When you have hooked a good fish , have an especial care to keep your rod bent , lest he run to the end of the line , and break your hook or his hold . 11. Such tops or stocks as you get , must not be used till fully seasoned , which wich will not be in one year and a quarter ; but I like them better if kept till they be two years old . 12. The first fish you take cut up his belly , and you may then see his stomach ; it is known by its largeness and place , lying from the Gills to the small guts ; take it out very tenderly , ( if you bruise it your labour and design are lost ) and with a sharp Knife cut it open without bruising , and then you may find his food in it , and thereby discover what bait the fish at that instant takes best , flies or ground-baits , and so fit them accordingly . 13. Fish are frighted with any the least sight or motion , therefore by all means keep out of sight , either by sheltering your self behind some bush or tree , or by standing so far off the Rivers side , that you can see nothing but your flie or flote ; to effect this , a long rod as ground , and a long line with the artificial flie may be of use to you . And here I meet with two different opinions and practises , some alwayes cast their flie and bait up the water , and so they say nothing occurreth to the fishes sight but the line : others fish down the River , and so suppose ( the rod and line being long ) the quantity of water takes away , or at least lesseneth the fishes fight ; but the other affirm , that rod and line , and perhaps your self are seen also . In this difference of opinions I shall onely say , in small Brooks you may angle upwards , or else in great Rivers you must wade , as I have known some , who thereby got the Sciatica , and I would not wish you to purchase pleasure at so dear a rate ; besides , casting up the River you cannot keep your line out of the water , which we noted for a fault before ; and they that use this way confess , that if in casting your flie , the line fall into the water before it , the flie were better uncast , because it frights the fish ; then certainly it must do it this way , whether the flie fall first or not , the line must first come to the fish or fall on him , which undoubtedly will fright him : Therefore my opinion is , that you angle down the River , for the other way you traverse twice so much , and beat not so much ground as downwards . 14. Keep the Sun ( and Moon , if night ) before you , if your eyes will endure it , ( which I much question ) at least be sure to have those Planets on your side , for if they be on your back , your rod will with its shadow offend much , and the fish see further and clearer , when they look towards those Lights , then the contrary ; as you may experiment thus , in a dark night if a man come betwixt you and any light , you see him clearly but not at all if the light come betwixt you and him . 15. When you angle for the Trout , you need not make above three or four tryals in one place , either with flie or ground-bait ; for he will then either take it , or make an offer , or not stir at all , and so you lose time to stay there any longer . Pearch bites exceeding well at all sorts of Earth-worms , if well scowered , especially Lob-wormes and Brandlings , Bobs , Oak-wormes , Gentles , Cadbait , Wasps , Dores , Menow , Colwort-worm , and often as almost any bait saye the flie . He bites well all day long in seasonable weather , but chiefly from eight in the morning till after ten , and from a little before three Afternoon , till almost five . 16. A Chevin loveth to have several flies , and of divers sorts , on the hook at once , and several baits also at once on the hook ; as a Wasp and Colwort-worm , or an old Wasp and young Dore , or Humble when his wings and legs are grown forth , or a flie and Cad-worm or Oak-worm . 17. Take for a Trowt two Lob-worms well scowered , cut them into two equal halfs , put them on your hook ; this is an excellent bait . In a muddy water a Trout will not take a Cadbait , you must therefore onely use it in clear waters . If you desire to angle in a very swift stream , and have your bait rest in one place , and yet not overburthen your line with Lead , take a stone bow or small Pistoll Bullet , make a hole through it , wider at each side than in the middle ; yet so open in every place , as that the line may easily pass through it without any stop ; place a very small piece of Lead on your line , that may keep this Bullet from falling nearer the hook than that piece of Lead , and if your flote be made large enough to bear above water against the force of the stream , the fish will , when they bite , run away with the bait as securely , as if there were no more weight upon your line , than the little piece of Lead , because the hole in the Bullet gives passage to the line , as if it were not there . 18. When Cattle in Summer come into the Foards , their dung draweth the fish unto the lower end of the Foard ; at such a time angle for a Chevin with baits fit for him , and you will have sport . 19. Before you set your hook to your line , arme the line by turning the Silk five or six times about the link , and so with the same hair set on your hook ; this preserves your lines , that your hook cut it not in sunder , and also that it will not , when you use the cast flie , snap off so easily , which it is very subject to do . 20. In very wet seasons Trouts leave the rivers and larger Brooks , and flee into such little Brooks as scarce run at all in dry Summers . 21. To all sorts of Pastes adde Flax , Cotton or Wooll , to keep the Paste from falling off your hook . 22. Deny not part of what your endeavours shall purchase unto any sick or indigent persons , but willingly distribute a part of your purchase to those who may desire a share . 23. Make not a profession of any recreation , lest your immoderate love to the same bring a cross wish with it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . FINIS . You may be most completely furnished with all manner of fishing tackling at Mr. Fletchers , near St. Gregories Church by the west end of Pauls ; or at Mr. Brandons , near to the Swan in Golden-lane ; or at Mr. Kirbies in Harp Alley in Shoo-lane , who is a most choice Hook-maker . THE TABLE . A ANgling Tools when to provide Page 2 Angling the several kinds . Page 14 Angling at ground for the Trout . Page 40 Angling in the night . Page 41 Angling with the Menow . Page 42 Anglig for the Pike . Page 44 Angling for the Eele Page 49 Angling at ground for all sorts of fish , directions . Page 51 Ant-flies to keep . Page 73 B Bark-worm . Page 71 Bags for worms . Page 12 Barbel his baits . Page 59 His haunt . Page 80 Bleak his baits as the Roach . Page 60 Bobs . Page 70 Bream his baits . Page 61 His haunt . Page 80 His time of biting . Page 94 Boxes for Flies , Cankers , &c. Page 12 Bobbing . Page 49 Brogling Page ibid. Bulhead . Page 63 Bloud to order . Page 72 C Cadbait his kind . Page 69 How to keep them . Page 68 How to use them . Page 38 Cane or Reed its best use . Page 4 Carp his baits . Page 57 His haunt . Page 79 His time of biting . Page 93 Chevin or Chub his baits . Page 60 His haunt . Page 80 His time of biting . Page 93 D Dace his baits . Page 59 His haunt . Page 80 His time of biting . Page 94 Depth of water to try . Page 11 E Eele his baits . Page 58 His haunt . Page 79 His time of biting . Page F Flie , what fish rise best at it . Page 17 When each Flie comes in . Page 19 How to find that time . Page 20 Flie artificial to make . Page 24 Directions how to use it . Page 30 Flie natural to angle with . Page 21 Directions how to use it . Page 22 Why fish rise not at the artificial Flie in muddy rivers so well as in others . Pages 34 , 35 , 36 Flounder his baits . Page 61 His haunt . Page 81 His time of biting . Page 84 Flag-worm . Page 75 When fish rise at the Flie best . Page 91 Feeding the fish . Page 95 G Gudgeon his baits . Page 59 His haunt . Page 81 His time of biting . Page 94 Grayling , vide Umber . Page Grain to order . Page 72 H Hooks the shape . Page 9 How to set them to the line . Page 10 To sharpen them . Page 12 L Line how to make . Page 7 Lines , hooks , flies to carry . Page 13 Leach his baits , haunts , &c. Page 61 M Menow his baits , haunts , &c. Pages 61 , 62 Mullet his baits . Page ●● His haunt as the Flounder . Page 81 Maggots to breed and keep . Page 74 O Oak-worm how to use , and when the fish take it best . Page 69 P Pannier . Page 13 Pastes to make . Page 63 Pike his baits . Page 45 His haunt . Page 80 His time of biting . Page 94 How to halter him . Page 58 Pearch his baits . Page 101 His haunts . Page 79 His biting time . Page 102 R Roach his baits . Page 59 His haunt . Page 80 His time of biting . Page 94 Ruff his baits . Page 79 His haunt . Page 80 Biting time as the Pearch . Page S Salmon his baits . Page 54 His haunt . Page 77 Biting time Page 92 Shad and Suant their baits . Page 61 Their haunts . Page 81 Biting time as the Flounder . Page 84 Spawn of fish how to use . Page 68 Swivel its use . Page 43 T Tench his baits , Page 57 His haunt . Page 79 Biting time . Page 99 Trout his baits . Page 55 His haunt . Page 78 His biting time . Page 92 To take a Trout you have missed . Page 44 Trowle its several wayes . Page ibid. U Umber his baits . Page 56 His haunt . Page 80 His biting time . Page 92 W Worms how to order . Page 65 Worm-bags . Page 12 Wasps . Page 71 FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A64795-e780 The Introduction to the ensuing Discourse . The time to provide stocks and tops . The use of the Reed or Cane . The making the line . The shape of the Hook. The flote . To try the depth of the water . To carry your lines or artificial flies . To sharpen the hook that is dulled . To carry baits and other necessaries . For worms , c●dbait . To land great fish when you want an assistant . Your Pannier . Several wayes of angling . What fish rise best at the fly , both natural and artificial . How to find what flie the fish at that instant most desire . Directions in using the artificial flie . Of the artificial flie . How to make the artificial fl●e several wayes . Cautions for the use of the artificial fly . Two conjectures why fish rise not wel at the artificial flie in slimy rivers . How to angle with the Cadbait . Ground angling . Night ●ngling . Angling for the Trout with a Menow . The use of the Swivel . If you misse a Trout how to take her afterwards . How to angle for the Pike with a Trowle , and several other wayes . Brogling for Eeles . Bobbing for Eeles Directions in angling at the ground . Baits for the Salmon . Several sorts of Pastes . Cadbait . Spawn of fish . The chiefest way to use the Oakworm . Cadbait his kinds . Bobs , two sorts . Barke wormes . How to use Wasps . Sheeps blood , how to use it . How to o●der Graine . Ant-flyes . Bobs after the plow. To breed and keep Gentles . To find the Flag-worm . When unseasonable to angle . When it is best to angle .