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 PRICE ONE PENNY,
 
 PRICE ONE PENNY. 
 
 THE BOY'S 
 
 OWN HAND BOOK 
 
 OF 
 
 ANGLING. 
 
 THE TROUT. 
 
 flotilrou: 
 
 Printed and Published, by J. MARCH, 
 12, Webber Street, Blackfriars Road.
 
 M A R C H' S 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS 
 
 FOB 
 
 THE YOUNG ANGLER. 
 
 BOTTOM FISHING. 
 
 First plumb your depth and throw in some ground bait, then let 
 your bait fall quietly in the upper part of the swim, keeping the top 
 of your rod over it as it passes by you; when it gets as far as you 
 can conveniently reach, strike gently and proceed as before. When 
 you get a bite, which you will know by the float being shook or pulled 
 under water, strike immediately, which is done by a smart stroke, rais- 
 ing the point of your rod perpendicularly over the float. If you hook 
 a fish, and it offers but little resistance, you may lift him out at once 
 but should it be a large fish, you must give more line, until he suff- 
 ers himself to be turned by less force ; you must then keep him tight, 
 pulling him towards you, when opportunity offers, and when he again 
 plunges, easing your hand towards him, that he may pot break the 
 tackle . By following this plan, you may soon tire him out ; then 
 use your landing net. 
 
 In Pond fishing, the principal causes of success are ground bait, 
 a fine bottom to your line, a clean lively bait, and quiet water. If 
 you bait with a red worm, and there are Bream, Kudd, and other 
 fish in the water ; use a fine wire hook, No. 9 or 10. 
 
 N .B. Where fresh water rans into a pond, is generally the best 
 part for angling. In rivers, let your swim be shallowest at the end. 
 
 TROLLING FOR PIKE. 
 
 The most easy method is with the gorge Look, To use this, you 
 must have a baiting needle ( see cut ) which you enter at the mouth 
 of the bait pass it all through the body and bring it out at the tail, 
 drawing the hook through after it, the points so as not to project
 
 beyond the fish; 
 then tie a thread 
 round the tail to 
 prevent its tearing 
 when it catches 
 the weeds ; now add this to your trace, and all is ready. Hav 
 ing your bait prepared, proceed to cast it forth, iu such places as 
 you think likely to contain a fish, letting it dive to the bottom, 
 then drawing it up gently, so as just to let it twirl round as it ri- 
 ses, let it sink and rise again till the line is close to you. 
 
 When you get a bite, which you will perceive by the bait being 
 suddenly pulled, held fast , or sometimes only shook, immediately 
 hold the point of your rod down, and with the left hand keep two 
 or three yards of loose line ready, that he may not be checked when 
 he runs. If he lies still two or three minutes, shakes the line, and 
 runs again , y< n may wind in the loose line, and strike. When 
 exhausted, lead him to a suitable spot, and land him. Observe, 
 when a Pike is on the feed, you can hardly loose him by any other 
 means than not giving him time to pouch. 
 
 THE JAC K or PIKE. 
 
 When the water is high or thick, they lie close in shore, among 
 sedges under trees, on shallows where there is little or no stream, &c. 
 
 The most approved LIVE BAIT is used as follows : To a foot of 
 gimp, not too coarse, fix a rather fine wired double hook, at the 
 other end of which make a small loop ; then take your baiting nee- 
 dle, which for this purpose must be fine, and enter it on the upper 
 pwl of the side of the bait fish, near the gills, and bring it out past 
 the back fin, when the needle is through, hang the loop of your 
 gimp on it, and draw that after till the hook lies close to the bait.
 
 Your float should be placed on your silk line, as should your shots 
 or bullet, to keep the fish down, before you affix the bait. Many large 
 Pike are also taken with a live bait attached to a Trimmer, or cork. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. Windy weather (if from the west or 
 south) suits both Jack aud Perch, but they like the quietest parts. In 
 January and February the Jack are in pairs ; at which time, if you 
 take one, put on a fresh bait, and try close by for the other. Dur- 
 ing these months they feed agerly, and note this, a Jack generally 
 takes a bait across his mouth, by the body, and swallows it head first. 
 
 THE ROACH, 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF TACKLE. 
 
 The ROD I should recommend for Fly fishing is a 4 joint Hickory 
 rod with a spliced Bamboo top, about twelve feet long, gradually ta- 
 pering from the top to the but; with winch fittings, rings not too large 
 nor the Rod too heavy. For Trolling, or Spinning, use a Bamboo 
 or Hickory rod, from 12 to 16 feet in length, with upright rings, 
 made strong and light; so as to cast the bait a long distance with 
 ease. For Bank or Bottom fishing, a long Bamboo Rod with tops, 
 to suit various purposes. 
 
 THE WINCH I should recommend would be a plain multipli- 
 er foi fly-fishing; to hold about 30 yards of line. For Trolling, a Plain 
 one, constructed to hold about 60 yards of line. Let your winch be 
 full large in proportion to the line, or it will not wind up pleasantly. 
 
 THE RUNNING LINE for Fly-fishing should be made of good 
 silk and horse hair wove together ; at the end of which have a loop 
 about half an inch long to fasten your gut bottom to (which should be 
 about three yards long, 'taper, and strong in proportion to the size 
 of the fish you expect to catch;) at each end of the gut bottom 
 you must have a loop, one to slip your running line through, and then 
 put the other through the lorp in the running line, draw the gut all 
 through, and it will be fast ; do the same with your fly to the bottom 
 loop when you want to ute it'
 
 The Trolling Line should be made of plaited silk, which is better and 
 more durable than any other. 
 
 FLOATS are made of different kinds ; a porcupine's quill will 
 answer very well for still water, or where there is little stream. A 
 cork float is preferable for perch or barbel fishing, and the Thames 
 generally. For Roach, Dace, &c. you must always use as fine a 
 tipped cap float as the stream will suffer to pass steadily along. I 
 should recommend a tipped cap float, either of quills or reeds, for 
 most purposes. If Live bait fishing for Jack, then a large cork float 
 is necessary, so that the bait may not be able to swim away with it. 
 
 THE PLUMMET is a piece of lead, with a ring at the top, and 
 some cork to stick the point of the hook in the bottom. When 
 used, place your float so that when your plumb touches the bottom, 
 the top of your float may be two inches above the water at the end 
 of your swim. THE HOOK should be in proportion to the size of 
 the bait, taking care not to have it too large. 
 
 THE LINE for Bottom-fishing should be about three feet longer 
 than the water is deep, in order that you may not have too much 
 between the top of your rod and the float. The following articles will 
 be found necessary. Some Cut Shot, large and small ; a few caps, 
 and a sufficient quantity of Spare Hooks, tied on; a Landing Net, or 
 Hook, No. 1; a Clearing Ring, No. 2 ; a Disgorger, No. 3 ; a Tin 
 Box to put your gentles in, No. 4 ; a Bag with damp moss for 
 worms, No. 5 ; and a Pocket Book for the purpose of holding all 
 the smaller articles in a compact form, No. 6. Some persons use a 
 Drum Net, No. 7, to keep the fish alive while they are angling. 
 
 
 BAITS. 
 
 GENTLES. Those from a bullock's liver are the best. PASTE 
 should be made of the crumb of bread dipped in water, and worked 
 up into a dough with clean hands. GREAVES, should bt scalded
 
 over night ; pick out the whitest pieces for your hook. 
 
 WORMS. The small lively Marsh worm is the best for Trout, 
 Tench, Carp, Perch, Barbie, and Chub. The Red worm is more 
 favourable for small fish. The Blood worm is the best bait for Gud- 
 geons and PrussianCarp. The Brandling is good for Perch. Take 
 care you have not too much of it loose,or they will take it off the hook. 
 
 THE DACE. 
 
 For Ground Bait, a stale loaf well soaked and mixed with bran, 
 made into small balls, is good, for Roach, Dace, Chub, &c. Greaves 
 and Bran mixt with Clay, is the best for Barbel. I prefer Carrion 
 Gentles mist with Clay and Bran, or they may be used loose where 
 there Ls no stream. 
 
 Note, always throw your ground bait in at the top of the swim. 
 
 FLY FISHING. 
 
 In Throwing a FLY, the most common fault of a young beginner 
 is, not waiting while the line takes ita sweep round, after drawing it 
 off the water ; he mostly returns it too quick, which causes it either to 
 fall in the water all of a heap, or smack like a whip and lose his fly. 
 
 The bet thing he can do is to observe one who has had experi- 
 ence in the art; then take a light rod, and let out 8 or 9 yards of line 
 with a small palmer, throw across or down the stream, until he can 
 feel some confidence in the direction it will fall, taking care at the 1 
 same time, that as little line as possible falls on the water with it ; 
 when he can manage this well, he may let out another yard or two 
 of line, and so on, till he can command the water he frequents. A 
 light rod, with from 10 to 12 yards of line, thrown straight forth 
 and lightly, will be more likely to succeed than a greater length ma - 
 naged with less skill. 
 
 THE GUDGEON.
 
 If you get a rise, strike quick, but not hard, as the least motion o{ 
 the hand will hook him. If a Trout, you may both see and feel him, 
 as they often take it quick enough to hook themselves. The slowest 
 fish is a Chub. When you hook a fish, do not lift him out with your 
 rod, as raising one of a pound that way will strain it more than kill- 
 ing a fish of seven. The most likely places to succee d with a fly, 
 are mill tails, weirs, scours,where two rivers join, or at the edge of 
 a bed of weeds, where the water runs fast. Chub delight in deep 
 holes, under trees, &c. 
 
 A LIST OF THE MOST USEFUL FLIES. May Flies; Red, Black, 
 Peacock, Dun, and other Palmers; Blue Dun; Stone Fly; the 
 Coachman; Humble Bee ; Black Gnats ; Red Spinners ; Red and 
 Black Ant Flies; Brown and White Moths ; and March Brown. 
 
 THE BARBEL. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF FISH. 
 
 The PRICKLEBACK and MINNOW are only useful as baits for 
 Trout, Perch, small Jack or Eels. 
 
 The BLEAK is easily caught with a gentle on a light line; fish 
 about a foot deep, and strike the instant they bite. 
 
 The GUDGEON should be angled for with a small red, or blood 
 worm, close to the ground. You will much increase your sport by 
 occasionally raking the bottom of the river. 
 
 THE BLEAK.
 
 THE BREAM. 
 
 Carp and Tench are found in most still waters, the latter-named 
 fish is the easiest taken. Carp are sly and require fine and strong 
 tackle. Bait with a red worm, or paste. N.B. A running line is in- 
 dispensable The BKEAM is a very prolific fish, and bites 
 freely at either gentles or worms. It is a dull cowardly fish, and 
 does not afford much sport, except to the young angler. 
 
 The CHUB, when small, strongly resembles the dace; but as it 
 grows larger, the head and mouth expand, by which it loses much of 
 its beauty. The best bait during tlie winter, is a piece of bullock's 
 brains, or a good lively well scoured worm. In summer they rise 
 eagerly at a fly. You will then find them in deep quiet holes , un- 
 der trees that overhang the water, a humble bee, large palmer, or 
 towards evening, a white moth will generally succeed 
 
 THE PERCH 
 
 is found in ponds, rivers, &c. where it will grow to four or five 
 pounds in weight. They are easily caught with a strong line, a cork 
 float, a No. 6 hook, baited with a minnow or worm. You must fish 
 in a quiet place, near flood-gates, or mill-heads, where there is little 
 or no stre'un.
 
 REMARKS ON THE SEASONS 
 
 MOST FAVORABLE TO THE 
 
 ANGLER. 
 
 JANUARY. In the middle of the day you may take 
 Jack, Chub, or Roach; if the water is clear, and the wea- 
 ther mild for the season. 
 
 FEBRUARY. You should flsh in shallower water, 
 near the banks, where there is a stream. Towards the 
 latter end you may retire till the fish have spawn'd. 
 
 MARCH. The Trout in the West of England, begin 
 now to rise at the flies, &c. You may also take Chub, 
 Perch, Dace, & Gudgeons: but generally speaking it is 
 n bad month for angling, except for Trout or Salmon. 
 
 APRIL. The Trout and Dace, sport on the shallows 
 after the early flies. This is also a very good month for 
 Perch in rivers. 
 
 MAY. Is the best month for Trout, as it is likewise for 
 Pond-fishing; but with the exception of Gudgeons, Eels, 
 and Perch, you may leave off Bottom-fishing till July. 
 
 Towards the end of this month the may-fly comes in, 
 and lasts till the middle or end of June, in the course of 
 which time you may take plenty of fish in nearly all parts 
 of England. 
 
 JUNE. The Trout near London are now in their prime, 
 but, in the early rivers they fall off. This is a good month 
 for pond fishing, and also for fly fishing. 
 
 JULY. The same as June. 
 
 AUGUST. You must be at the water-side by daylight 
 n the morning or in the evening; the fish will not feed 
 during the middle of the day, unless cloudy and cool: the 
 fish in season are Roach, Dace, Perch, Barbel, Jack, 
 Bream, Carp, and Tench. 
 
 SEPTEMBER. You must still fish early and late. If 
 the days are hot, and the water very clear, you will find 
 them in the deeper parts, after this month I would not re- 
 commend Pond-fishing, except for Jack. 
 
 OCTOBER. Is favourable for Bottom-fishing in the 
 rivers round London, (fly-fishing is over.) The fish get 
 in the deeps, and feed eagerly; Barbel and Dace excepted. 
 
 NOVEMBER. The same as October. 
 
 DECEMBER. The same as January.

 
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