NRLF %V; // OF THE f{ UNIVERSITT Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2007 witin funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.arGliive.org/details/concisetreatiseoOObestricli FHO^TISFIECJEo pll/'//.Medr LUDGATE HILL. I8O7. ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC, THE credit of this treatise is so fully es- tablished by the approbation the former editions have met with, that it would be quite superfluous to say any thing more in its favour. In the present edition, which has been revised with the greatest atten- tion, I have been careful to avoid all neiv- fangled rules, but have endeavoured to render those which I have before laid down more conspicuous and intelligent. Most of the late publications on this pleasing and rational recreation may alkire by their novelty for a while, but are in general so vague and full of error, that, like summer insects, pereiint et imputantur^ they must perish and be thought on no more. Hoping K^Af^dA 4 ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. the present edition will be well received by all judicious and discriminating Anglers, I shall conclude with observing, Si quid noristi rcctius istis Candidus imperti ; si non, his utere mecum. Or, ^^ Better precepts if you can impart, Why do — I'll follow them with all my heart.'* I AM, THE public's MOST OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, THOMAS BEST. * Tottenham Haky 1804. * Excellent reception for anglers at Brother Patrick's in that ▼illage. CONTENTS. PART I. CHAP. I. A Description of Fishes according to Natural His- tory^ with the best Methods of breeding and feeding Carp) d^'c, CHAP. II. TTie best Manner of making and chusing Rods^ Lines, Hooks, Sfc. CHAP. III. The general Baits used in Angling, where foundy and how preserved, CHAP. IV. Of natural Fl if ^fishing, with a Description of Flies generally used, and a choice Collection of Rules and Hints to be observed in Angling, B 2 CONTENTS. CHAP. V. A Description of the Fish generally angled for in England and Wales^ with the proper Times and Seasons to fish for them^ their peculiar Haunts^ spawning Time^ and most killing Baits. The Salmon Chubb Loach Trout Barbel Bull-head Grayling Eel Sticklebach Carp Roach Guinniad Bream Dace Red Charr, or Welch Pike Gudgeon Torgoch Perch Pope The Guilt, or Gilt Tench Bleak Charr. Flounder Minnow \ CHAP. VI. T%e most scientific Method of making Fish-Ponds, Stews^ Sfc. ; to which are added^ several Arcana in the Art of Angling, PART II. CHAP. I. Observations concerning artificial Fly^angling^ with proper Directions for the Angler^s Rods, Lines, S^c. CONTENTS. 7 CHAP. II. A List of the Materials necessary for an A?i^ler to have, and the best Method to make the Falmer and Matf Fly. CHAP. III. The Names and the best Manner of dubbin §r the dif- ferent artificial Flies, which are generallij knozcny and will kill Fish, on any Water, from the begin- ning of March to the end of September, CHAP. IV. A second List of very killing Flies. CHAP. V. The best Rules for artificial Fly-fl'hing. CHAP. VI. Of the principal Rivers in England^ and particularly the Thames. CHAP. VII. Of the Game-Lazes relative to Angling. CHAP. VIII. Prognostics of the Weather, independent of the Baro^ meter. B O SIZES OF HOOKS. No. t No. Barbel 1 J Loaches 13 Bleak 13 ^ Miller's Thumbs .. 13 Bream-Carp 3 t Minnows 13 Bream White. 9 Carp 3 Chub 2 Dace 12 Eels and Eel-pouts. . 4 Flounders 5 Greyling 10 Perch 4 Roach 11 Rud 9 RufF 9 /Salmon % Salmon-Fry 13 Tench 3 Gudgeons 12 ^ Trout » 3 BEST'S ART OF ANGLING PART I. CHAP. I. A Description of Fishes according to Natural His- tory, with the best Methods of breeding, feeding, Sfc. FISHES, in natural history, are animals that live in the water, as their proper place of abode. Naturalists observe a world of wisdom and design in the structure of fishes, and their conformation to the element they reside in. Their bodies are clothed and guarded in the best manner, with scales or shells, suitable to their respective circumstances, the dangers they are exposed to, and the motion and business they are to perform. The center of gravity is placed in the fittest part of the body for swimming, and their shape most commodious for making way through the water, and most agreeable to geometrical rules. They have several parts peculiar to themselves : as fins, to balance and keep them upright ; an air- bladder or swim, to enable them to rise or sink to any height or depth of water at pleasure ; gills or hranchic^y whereby they respire as land 10 > best's art of angling. animals do by lungs ; the tail^ an instrument of progressive motion, which serves to row them ibrward ; e3^es peculiarly formed, to enable them to correspond to all the convergencies and diver- gencies of rays, which the variations of the wa- tery medium, and the refractions thereof, may occasion, in which respect they bear a near re- semblance to birds. Fishes are distinguished into sea or salt-water fish, pisces mariiii ; as the whale, herring, macka- rel, &c. : river or fresh-water fi^h, piscesjiuviaks ; as the pike, trout, &c. : and pond or lake fish ; as the carp, tench, &c. : to which may be added, others, which abide indifferently in fresh water or salt; as salmon, shad-fish, 8cc. There is also an amphibious kind, which lives indifferently on land or water ; as the castor, ot- ter, &c. Aristotle, and after him Mr. Willoughby, more accurately distinguishes fishes into cetaceous, car- tilaginous, and spinous. The cetaceous, called also bellua marina, have lungs, and breathe like quadrupeds : they copu- late also like them, and conceive and bring forth their young alive, which they afterwards suckle w-ith their milk. The cartilaginous are produced from large eggs, like birds, which are also excluded the womb like those of Jpirds, The spinous are also oviparous; but their eggs are smaller, and they have spinds up and down their flesh to strengthen it. Willoughby thinks it would be yet more pro- per to divide fishes into such as breathe with lungs and such as breathe with gills ; and then to subdivide those that breathe with gills, not into GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FISHES. 11 cartilaginous and spinous^ but into viviparous and oviparous. The viviparous, that breathe with gills, he sub- divides into long ; such as the galei and canes, or sharks and dog-fish: and broad ; such as the pastinaca, raja, &,c. : the subdivisions of each whereof, he gives in his chapter of cartilaginous fishes in general. The oviparous, that breathe with gills, are the most numerous ; and these he subdivides into such as are what we usually call flat fish, and such as swim with their backs upright, or at right angles with the horizon. The plain or flat fish, called usually plani spi^ nosif ,are either quadratic as the romhi and pas- sereSy or those of the turbot or flounder kind ; or longiusculi, as the sola, or sole-kind. Such as swim with their backs erect are either long and smooth, and without scales, as the eel- kind, or shorter and less smooth ; and these have either but one pair of fins at their gills, which are called orhes and congeneres, or else another pair of fins also on their bellies : the latter he sub- divides into two kinds — 1st, such as have no prickly fins on their backs, but soft and flexible ones ; 2nd, such as have prickly fins on their backs. Those fishes which have only soft and flexible fins on their backs may be divided into such as have three, two, or but one single fin there. No fish but the aselli have three fins on their backs. Fishes with two fins on their backs are either the truttaceous, trout-kind ; or the gobionites, loche or gudgeon kind. Fishes with but one soft back-fin are of three 12 best's art of angling. sorts. The first has one Ions: continued fin from head to tail, as the liipparus of Rondeletius, &c. The fins of the second are but short, and placed just in the middle of their back : and these are either marine, as the herring-kind*; or Jiuviatile, as those we call leather-mouthed fishes, such au carp, tench, &c. Fishes with prickly fins on their backs are of two kinds : sucli as have two prickly fins on their backs, and in ihese the interior radii of their fins are always prickly ; 2nd, such as have but one prickly fin tnere. The English fishes that we have in our ponds, rivers, &c. are as follow : 1. CyprinuSy the Carp. ^J. Tincay the Tench. 3. Cyprinus latusy the Bream or Bruma. 4. Orfus Gtrmanorumy the Rudd, Oerve, or Nersling. 5. Capito seu Ce^ phaluSy the Chubb or Chevin. 6. Barbus, the Barbel. 7. Leucissm, the Dace or Dare. 8. iiw- tilm seu Rubellio^ the Roach. 9- Alburnus, th^ Bleak or Bley. 10. Gobiusjiuviatilisy the Gud- geon. 11. Cobitesjiuviatilis barbatulay the Loch^ or Loach. 12. V arias y seu Phoxinus IcKvis, th^ Pink or Minnow. These twelve are called Malacostomi, or lea- ther-mouthed fishes, because they have no teeth in their javv5, but only deep down in their mouths. To proceed. 13. Fasser Jluviatilis sive amphi- bious, the Flounder. 14. Jnguilla, the Eel. 15. Gobio jluviatilis y the Bull-head or Miller's Thumb. l6. ThymalluSy the Gragling, Gray- ling, or Umber. 17. Salmoy the Salmon. 18. Trutta jluviatilis duum generum, the Trout. 19. Albula Salmoni similis, the Guinniad. 23. Trutta SalmonatUy the Salmon-Trout. 21. Trutta La- BREEDING FISHES. 13 custrisy the Scurf or Bull-Trout. 2^2. Umbla minor Gesn, the Red Charr or Welsh Torgoch. 23. Carpio laais Benaci, the Guilt or Gilt Charr. 24. LuciuSy the Pike or Pickerel. 25. Perca Jluviatilis minor seu aurata, the RufF. 26. Piscis aculeatus vulgaris seu pungitius Alberti, the Comnion Prickle-hack^ Sharpling, or Banstickle. 27. Piscis aculeatus minor, the Lesser Prickle- back. 28. Perca jluviatilis, the Perch. The share of life which some fish possess is v/orthy the notice of every curious angler. The eel, being cut in pieces, maintains life and mo- tion for several hours. A carp will move vigo- rously some time after the intestines arc taken out of its body ; but I shall say more on several of these heads in treating of each particular spe- cies of fish. Fish, considered as a food, make a consider- able addition to the furniture of the table ; and the breeding, feeding, &c. thereof, is a peculiar art, and very necessary, for the sake of economy, that every country gentleman should know some- thing of the method. To this relate the ponds, stews, &c. which shall be described in their pro- per places. It may not be here unacceptable to give the reader some general rules on the subject. RULE I. FOR BREEDING FISHES. The quality of the pond, water, &c. proper to this end, is scarcely determinable by any certain symptom or rule ; for some very promising ponds do not prove serviceable that way. One of the best indications of a breeding pond is, when there 15 a good store of rushes and grazing about it. 14 best's art of angling. with gravelly shoals, such as horse-ponds usually have ; so that when a water takes thus to breed- ing, .with a few milters and spawners, two or three of each, a whole country may be stocked in a short time. Eels and perches are of a very good use to keep down the stock of fish ; for they prey much upon the spawn and fry of bred fish, and will probably destroy the superfluity of them. As for pikes, tenches, roaches, perches, &c. they are observed to breed almost in any waters, and very numerously ; but eels never breed in stand- ing waters that are without springs, and in such are neither found, nor increase by putting in ; yet where springs are they are never wanting, though not put in : and, what is most strange of all, no person ever saw in an eel the least token of propagation, either by milt or spawn ; so that, whether they breed at all, and how they are pro- duced, are propositions equally mysterious, and never yet clearly resolved. RULE II. FOR FEEDING FISHES, Observe the following remarks : — 1. In a stew thirty or forty carps may be kept from October to March, without feeding ; and by fishing with trammels or flews, in March or April, you may take from your great waters to recruit your stews : but you must not fail to feed all the summer, from March to October again, as constantly as cropped chickens are fed ; and it will prove pro- fitable. 2. The constancy and regularity of serving the fish, conduce very much to their eating well and, thriving. FEEDING FISHES. 15 3. Any sort of grain boiled is good to feed with^ especially peas and malt coarse ground. The grains after brewing, while sweet and fresh, are very proper ; but one bushel of malt, not brewed, will go as far as two of grains. Chippings of bread and orts of a table, steeped in tap-drop- pings of strong beer or ale, are excellent food for carp. Of these, the quantity of two quarts to thirty carps is sufficient ; and so fed morning and evening is better than once a day only. There is a sort of food for fishes that may be called accidental, and is no less improving than the best that can be provided ; and this is when the pools happen to receive the waste of com- mons where sheep have pasture : the water is enriched by the soil, and will feed a much greater number of carp than it otherwise would do ; and further, the dung that falls from cattle standing in the water, in hot weather, is also a very great nourishment. to fish. The best food to raise pikes to an extraordinary size or fatness is eels ; and without them it is not to be done, but in a long time : setting these aside, small perches are the best meat. Breams put into a pike-pond breed exceedingly, and are fit to maintain pikes, who will take care they do not increase over much. The numerous fry of roaches, and other small fish, which come from the greater pools into the pike-quarters, will like- wise be good diet for them. Pikes in all streams, and carp in all hungry springing waters, being fed at certain times, will come up, and take their meat almost from your hand. The best feeding-place is towards the mouth of the pond, at the depth of about half a 3'ard ; for by that means the deep will be kept clean and c 16 best's art of angling. neat. The meat thrown into the water, without other trouble, will be picked up by the fishes, and nothing be lost : yet there are several devices for giving them food, especially peas; as a square board let down with the peas upon it. Where fishes are fed in large pools or ponds, when their numbers are great, malt boiled, or fresh grains, is the best food. Thus carp maybe fed and raised like capons, and tenches will feed as well ; but perches are not for a stew in feeding time. As to the benefits that redound from keeping fish, besides furnishing the table and raising mo- ney, your land will be improved, so as to be really worth and yield more this way than by any other employ whatsoever : for suppose a meadow of two pounds per acre ; four acres in pond will return every year a thousand fed carps, from the least size to fourteen or fifteen inches long, be- sides pikes, perches, tenches, and other fry. The carps are saleable, and will bring sixpence, nine- pence, and perhaps one shilling each, amounting in all to twenty-five pounds, which is six pounds five shillings per acre. You should make choice of such a place for your pond, that it may be refreshed with a little rill, or with rain water running or falling into it ; by so doing fish are both more inclined to breed, and are refreshed and fed the better. There are many circumstances that conduce much to the feeding of pikes, perches, chubs, carps, roaches, daces, and breams, particularly conveniency of harbour ; for those fish that lie amongst weeds and boggy places are the fattest,, though not the sweetest. In these kind of places they are secured from the assaults of their nume- ENEMIES OF FISH. 1/ rous enemies^ and enjoy a more safe and con- tented repose, rest and quietness being as natural and helpful to their feeding as to other creatures. Some waters are more nourishing than others : a thick kind^ if it is not foul or muddy, is of a better consistency, and the parts better disposed and qualified for nutrition, than those of a more thin and rarified substance. No element that is pure and without mixture is well adapted for nourishment, neither can fishes live by pure wa- ter, respiration, or sucking in those slender par- ticles of their beloved element alone, without the concurrence and assistance of some grosser and terrene qualities, which ate intermingled with those liquid bodies. Having mentioned that fishes are exposed to numerous enemies, I shall conclude this chapter by giving the reader a poetical enumeration of them. A thousand foes the finny people chace, Nor are they safe from their own kindred race : The pike, fell tyrant of the liquid plain, ^ "With ravenous waste devours his fellow train ; Yet, howsoe'er with raging famine pined, The tench he spares, a salutary kind. Hence too the perch, a like voracious brood. Forbears to make this generous race his food ; Though on the common drove no bound he finds, But spreads unmeasured waste o'er all the kinds. Nor less the greedy trout and glutless eel Incessant woes and dire destruction deal. The lurking water-rat in caverns preys. And in the weeds the wily otter slays. The ghastly newt in muddy streams annoys, And in swift floods the felly snake destroys. Toads for the shoaling fry forsake the lawn, And croaking frogs devour the tender spawn. Neither the 'habitants of land nor air (So sure their doom) the fishy numbers spare ! The swan, fair regent of the silver tide, Their ranks destroys and spreads their ruin wide t C 2 18 best's art of angling. The duck her offspring to the river leads, And on the destined fry insatiate feeds : On fatal wings the pouncing bittern soars^ And wafts her prey from the defenceless shores : The watchful halcyons to the reeds repair^ And from their haunts the scaly captives bear : Sharp her'ns and corraVants too their tribes oppress, A harassM race, peculiar in distress : Nor can the muse enumerate their foes, Such is their fate, so various are their woes. CHAP. II. The best Manner of making and chasing Rods^ Lines^ Hooks^ Sfc. THE best time to provide stocks is in the win- ter solstice, when the trees have shed their leaves, and the sap is in their roots; ibr after Ja- nuary the sap ascends again into the trunk and branches, at which time it is improper to gather stocks or tops. As for the stocks, they should be lower grown, and the tops the best rush ground shoots that can be got ; not knotty, but propor- tionable and slender, for if otherwise they will never cast nor strike so well, and the line, by rea- son of their unpliableness, must be much endan- gered. Now when both stock and top are gather- ed in one season, and as straight as possible to be got, bathe them over a gentle fire, and never use them till they are well seasoned, which will be in one year and four month, but longer keeping them will make them better : and for preserving them when made into rods, both from rotting and being worm-eaten^ rub them, over thrice a year MAKING AND CHUSING RODS, &C. 19 with sallad or linseed oil ; if they are bored, pour in either of the oils, and let them soak therewith for twenty- four hours, then pour it out again, and it will preserve them from the least injury. In general the length of the rod is to be determined by the breadth of the river you angle in ; but a long rod is always of more use than one too short, provided it is truly made : one of about five yards and a half long you will experimentally find to be quite sufficient. When you have taken your stocks and tops from the place that you put them in for seasoning (where they must have remained sixteen months at least), match them together in just proportion, and let the rod consist of five or six pieces; if you ferrule it, observe that they fit with the greatest nicety, and in such a manner as when put all together they may not wriggle in the least, but be in proportion and strength as if the whole rod were but one piece. If you bind them together, it must be with thread strongly waxed, having first cut the pieces with a slope or slant that they may join each other with the greatest exactness, and then spread a thin layer of shoemaker's wax over the slants, or a glue which 1 have set down in the arcana for the an- gler's use : afterwards you must cut about six inches off the top of the rod, and in its place v/hip on a smooth, round, and taper piece of whalebone, and at the top of that a strong loop of horse-hair : then the whole will be completed, and thus made will always ply with a true bent lo the ha^id. Your fiy-rods may be made in the same manner ; but note, must be much more pliant than the others, and more taper from stock to top. It is of service to them to lay by some time before you use them, € 3 20 best's art of angling. Your top for the running line must be always gentle, that the fish may the more insensibly run away with the bait, and not be checked by its being too stiff. For all fishes that bite tenderly, a rod made of cane, reed, or bamboo, is the best, only be care- ful when you chuse such a one, that it will strike well, and that the medium between the ferrule and the joint that goes in is not cut too fine ; for if it is, when you strike a good fish, it is ten to one you will lose some part of your rod, your line, and of course the fish ,* a misfortune that has often happened to me, before I was acquainted with the above rule. A general rod is one which serves for trolling, dibbing, and the ground : for the former purpose small brass rings must be whipped all the way up it, at about a foot distance, for the troll ing-line to run thiough ; it may likewise be bored in the stock to hold the tops you are not using. That which you use for the troll must be strong, and: have a ring on the top whipped on with apiece of quill to prevent the line being cut, when the vo- racious pike runs off with your bait to his hold ; one of the others must not be so stiff, which will serve for carps, tenches, &c. ; and the other fine and elastic for dace and roach fishing. These kind of rods, which are called bag-rods, and go up in a small compass, are to be had at all the fishing-tackle shops in London, more particularly in Crooked-lane, near the Monument ; Fleet- street ; Bell-yard ; also an excellent shop facing Southampton-street, Strand. Angling-Line, To make this line, first note, that you are to take care that your hair be round and clear;i and free from galls, scales, or frets ; MAKING AND CHUSING RODS, &C. 21 for a well-chosen, even, clear, round hair, of a kind of glass-colour, will prove as strong as three uneven scabby hairs : then put them in water for a quarter of an hour, when made into lengths, and you will thereby find which of them shrink ; then twist them over again. Some in the twisting intermingle silk, which is erroneous ; yet a line of all silk may do pretty well, though I prefer hair in every mode of angling, except trolling, and then a silk line is best. Now the best colours for lines are sorrel, white, and grey ; the two last colours for clear waters, and the first for muddy waters : neither is the pale watery green despi- cable, which is made thus : put a pint of strong alum-water, half a pound of soot, a small quan- tity of juice of waluut-leaves, into a pipkin, boil them about half an hour, then take it off the fire, and when it is cold steep your hair in it ; or else boil a handful of marygold-flowers, with a quart of alum- water, till a yellow scum arises, then take half a pound of green copperas, with as much verdigris, and beat them together to a fine pow- der, and put them and the hair into the alum-wa- ter, and let them lie in it ten hours or more, then take them out and let them dry. Hair is made brown by steeping it in salt and ale. The best way of forming the hair into lines is with a new-in- vented engine, to be bought at any of the shops, and is to be used thus. To twist links with this en- gine, take as many hairs as you intend each shall consist of, and dividing them into thiee parts, tie each parcel to a bit of fine twine, about six inches long, doubled, and put through the hooks which impend from the machine : then take a piece of lead, of a conical figure, two inches high and two in diameter at the base, with a hook at the upex 22 best's art of angling. or point ; tie your three parcels of hair into one knot, and to this, by the hook, hang the weight. Lastly, take a common bottle-cork, and into the sides, at equal distances, cut three grooves ; and placing it so as to receive each division of hairs, begin to twist. You will then find the links twist with great evenness at the lead : as it grows tighter, shift the cork a little upwards, and when the whole is sufficiently twisted, take out the cork, and tie the links into a knot ; and so proceed till you have twisted links sufficient for your line, ob- serving to lessen the number of hairs in each link, in such proportion that the line may be taper. Never strain your hairs before they are made into a line, if you do they will shrink when used. Your links thus prepared, tie them together into a water-knot ; then cut off the short ends, about a straw's breadth from the knot, and then whip some waxed silk about the knots, which is much better than inclosing them with wax. Never, either at ground or fly angling, fix any hooks to a line that consists of more than three or four links at the most ; but always make a small loop at the top and bottom of your line : the use of the one is to fasten it to your rod, and of the other to affix or remove your armed hooks. The line should always be leaded according to the rapidity or quietness of the river you angle in ; therefore, as nearly as you can guess, always lead it in such manner as will sink the bait to the bottom, and permit its motion, without any violent jogging on the ground. Carry the top of your rod even with your hand, beginning at the head of the stream, and letting the bait run downwards, as far as the rod and line will permit, the lead dragging and rolling on the ground. N© more of the line must MAKING AND CHUSING RODS, &€. 23 be in the water than will permit the lead to touch the bottom ; for you are to keep the line as straight as possible^ yet so as not to raise the lead from the bottom. When you have a bite^ you may per- ceive it by your hand and the point of your rod and line : then strike gently and upwards, if you cannot tell which way the fish's head lies ; but if you can, the contrary way from where it does ; first allowing the fish, by a little slackening the line, a small time to pouch the bait. This is called angling by hand, and is very killing for trout, grayling, Sec. I shall treat of Float -fishing under the descrip- tion of each fish. As for your Fishing-hooks, they ought to be made of the best-tempered steel wire, longish in the shank, and somewhat thick in the circumfe- rence, the point even and straight ; let the bend- ing be in the shank. For setting on the hook, or more scientifically speaking, arming it, use strong but small silk, slightly waxed with shoemaker's wax ; and lay the hair on the inside of the hook, for if it be on the outside the silk will fret and cut it asunder. There are several si«es of hooks, large ones and small ones, made according to the fishes they are designed to take, which, when I come to treat of the different fish, the number of the hook proper for each will be fully expressed. Ford and Kirby's hooks are excellent ones, but the best I ever had were from Red-bridge in Hampshire. Floats, for angling, are of divers kinds : some made of Muscovy-duck-quills, which are the best for slow waters ; but for strong streams, sound cork, without flaws or holes, bored through with a hot iron, into which is put a quill of fit pro- 24 best's art of angling. portion, is preferable : pare the cork to a pyra- midal form, grind it smooth with a pumice-stone, then colour it according to your fancy. Floats, whether quill or cork, must be poised with shot when on the line, as to make them cock ; that is, stand perpendicular in the water, that the least nibble or bite may be apparent. When a float is split or bruised, there is no re- medy for the mischance but getting a new one ; but you may save the plug, and it will serve for another. But if the water gets in at the top of your float, a little sealing-wax will prevent it ; if the plug of your float is loose, pull it out, and fasten it with the following cements. Take bees-wax bruised small, chalk scraped fine, and black rosin powdered, of each an equal quan- tity ; melt them in a spoon, or any small tin ves- sel, and see that they are well mixed : or take brick-dust sifted very fine, and common rosin, pul- verised ; put one part of brick-dust to two parts of Tosin, and melt them as before directed : dip your plug in either of these, and put your float imme- diately upon it. When you join two floats toge- ther, let the plug be a little thicker in the middle than at the ends, which ends are to go into the quills ; dip one end into the cement, and put one quill upon it : then do the like by the other, and you have a double float : or you may make it by dipping the ends of both quills, when prepared, in the cement, and fixing them together, which, when the cement is cold, will be very strong. To dye quills red^ which for still waters are bet- ter than any other floats, take what quantity you please of urine, and put in it as much powder of Brazil wood as will make it redden a piece of white paper ; then take some clean water, into BAITS USED IN ANGLING. 25 which put a handful of Salt, and a little argol, and stir them till dissolved : then boil them well in a sauce-pan. When the water is cold, scrape your quills, and steep them in it for ten or twelve days, then dry them, and rub them with a wool- len cloth. The materials most necessary for an angler to have out with him, and which may be well car- ried in his pockets, are, lines coiled up ; spare links ; two worm-bags, one for brandlings, &c. and the other for lob-worms ; a plummet to fix the depth of the water, of a pyramidal form ; a gentle-box; floats and spare caps; split shot; shoemakers' wax in a piece of leather ; silk ; hooks, some whipped on and some loose; a clearing-ring, which is of use to disengage the hook when entangled; a landing-net, to land large fish with; the disgorger, which when a fish has gorged the hook, by putting it down his throat, till you' touch the hook, at the same time pulling the line, it will easily come away. CHAP. III. The general Baits used in Angling^ where foundy and how preserved. THE reader being furnished with the best rules relative to his rods, lines, hooks, &c. I shall give him a list of the baits in general of use in angling ; but must desire him to observe, that fish take all sorts of baits, most eagerly and freely, when he presents them to them in such order and manner as nature affords them, or as they them- selves generally gather them. 2€ best's art of angling. THE LOB'WORMy DEW-'WORM^ GAJLDEN'WORM^ TWAT' CHELLy OR TREACHETy Found in a garden or church-yard late in a sum- mer's evening, with a lanthorn. When the sum- mer proves a very dry one, they may be forced out of tiieir holes with the liquor produced by bruising walnut-tree-leaves in water. The best of these are those which have a red head, a streak down the back, and a broad tail, from which they derive the name of squirrtUtaih, This is a principal worm for salmon, chub, trout, barbel, and eels of the largest size. BRANDLINGS^ GILT'TAILS^ AND RED-WORMS^ Found in old dunghills, rotten earth, cows' dung, hogs' dung ; but the best are those to be met witb in tanners' bark after it is thrown by. These, especially the two first, are for trout, grayling, salmon-smelts, gudgeon, perch, tench, and bream : the three last take the red-worm, well-scoured, exceedingly well. MARSn OR MEADOW-WORMS^ Found in marshy ground or the fertile banks of rivers, are a little blueish, require more scouring than the brandling or gilt-tail, and are taken from Candlemas to Michaelmas. This is a choice worm in March, April, and September, for trouts, salmon-smelts, gudgeon, grayling, flounder, bream, and perch. TAG'TAJLy Found in marled lands, or meadows after a shower of rain, or early in the morning in March TO SCOUR AND PRESERVE WORMS. 27 or April, if the weather is mild and temperate, and is a most excellent bait. This is an excellent bait for a trout, if you an- gle with it whilst the water is discoloured by rain. HOW TO SCOUR AND PRESERVE WORMS. Get a quantity of moss, the best is that which is soft and white, and grows on heaths, but as this is scarce to be had in some parts, in lieu of it any kind that is fresh and sweet ; rinse it well from the earth that hangs about, and then wring it very dry : put your worms and it into an earthen pot, cover it close that they do not crawl away, and set it in a cool place in summer, and in winter in a warm one, which will prevent the frost from killing them : change the moss every fourth day in summer, and once a week in winter, or at least let the old moss be taken from them_^' washed, squeezed pretty dry, and put it to them again. If you want them to be quickly scoured, a little 6o/e- ammoniac put to them will accomplish your desire; or you may put them in water for three or four hours, and they will soon be scoured, yet be very weak^ but beiug put to good moss, they will spee- dily recover. When the knot near the middle of the brandling begins to swell, he is sick ; and for fear they should die, feed them with crumbs of bread, and with the j^olk of ail egg and sweet cream coagulated over the fire. Never steep your worms in moss to scour tliem above ten days, in which time they will be perfectly fit for use. There is another way of cleansing and preserv- ing worms recommended by many anglers, and is a very good one for every kind of them except the lob-worm : take a piece of very coarse cloth, D 28 best's art of angling. which has never been shrunk in the fulling-mill, wash it very clean, and let it dry : then soak it in the liquor where a fat piece of fresh beef has been boiled, and wring it out, but not so hard as to press out all the liquor ; then lay it in a deep earthen pan, that has a large bottom, and put your worms thereon, that they may crawl in and out, and so scour themselves : when they have re- mained there twenty-four hours, wash out your cloth as before, but do not dry it ; then wet it again with some of the same liquor, and having placed your worms thereon, keep them in a close cellar: repeat this every other day during the heat of the summer, and you will not only preserve your worms alive for three weeks or a month, but make them very red, clear and tough. When you take them out for angling, put them into moss that has been well washed and not wrung dry ; and when you come home at night, put them again into the pan, by which they will recover and gather fresh strength. Take care that there is no salt in the beef hquor, for if there is your worms will purge themselves to death. Mr. Gay, in his Rural Sports^ is particularly partial to the gilt-tail, as is apparent by the fol- lowing lines. You must not every worm promiscuous use : Judgment will tell the proper baits to chuse. The worm that draws a long, immod'rate size, The trout abhors, and the rank morsel flies ; And if too small, the naked fraud's in sight, And fear forbids while hunger does invite. Those baits will best reward the fisher's pains. Whose polish'd tails a shining yellow stains : Cleanse them from filth to give a tempting gloss. Cherish the sully 'd reptile race with moss : Amid the verdant bed, they twine, they toil, Afld from their bodies wipe their native soilo PALMER-FLY, &C. 29 PALMER'FLY^ PALMER-WORM^ WOOL-BED^ OR CANKERS^ Found in herbs^ plants^ and trees^ where they are bred, if not a perfect caterpillar, yet undoubtedly a species thereof : they gain the name of wool- beds from their outward parts being woolly. These and the May-fly are the foundation of fly- angling. These are good baits either for trout, chub, grayUng-, roach, or dace. BOBSy Found in sandy or mellow ground, and got by following the plough in Autumn, are worms as big as two maggots, have red heads, and their bo- dies full of soft guts. Put them in a tub with some of the mould that you gather them in, keep them in a warm place, and they are an excellent bait from the first of November till the middle of April. You may boil them the morning you in- tend anghng, in milk and water, for two minutes, which will make them tough ; and put them in a box where gum-ivy has been rubbed. These are choice baits from the beginning of November until after the middle of April, for chub, roach, dace, salmon-smelts, trout^ bream> tench, and carp. COW'TURD'BOB OR CLAP-BAIT^ Found under a cow-turd from the beginning of May to Michaelmas : it is bigger than a gentle, but very like one : it is best kept in the same earth you find it in. B 2 so best's art of angling. This is an excellent bait for a trout, if you an- gle with it on the top of the water with a bristled hook. FLAG'WORMS OR HOCK-WORMS^ Found among flags, in old pits or ponds, in little husks among the strings or fibres of the roots, are small worms, pale yellow or white^ as a gentle. These are very good bails. These are excellent baits for graylings, tench, bream, cajrp, roach, and dace* BACK'-WORU OR ASB^GRUBy Found under the bark of an oak, ash, elder, or beech, especially when felled, and they have lain some time, or in the hollow of those trees when dotted and rotten. It is to be used from Michael- mas to May or June. It is very full and white, bent round from the tail to the head, and the parts resembling a young dor or humble-bee. This is an excellent bait for trout and gray- ling : it is very tender, and curious to be baited with. COD'-BAIT^ CAB-BAIT^ CABIS OR CASE WORMy Are thus differently called, and are of three sorts : 1st. Found under stones that lie loose and hoU low, in small brooks, shallow rivers, or w^ry fine gravel, in case or husk ; and when fit for use they are yellowish, are bigger than a gentle, with a blackish head. Another sort is found in pits, ponds, ditches, in rushes, water-weeds, straw, 8cc, GENTLES OR MAGGOTS, TO BREED, &C. 31 called ruff-coats or straw-worms. The next is a green sort, found in pits, ponds, or ditches, in March, coming in before the yellow ones, which are not to be fished with till April, and in July they go out of season : the last sort is to be used in the month of August. When you take them to fish with, carry them in woollen bags, for the air kills them. These are excellent baits for all kinds of fish; particularly a large chub. GEKTLES OR MAGGOTS^ TO BREED J^D PRESERVE, Take a piece of beast's liver, scotch it with a knife, and with a cross stick, hung it in some cor- ner, over a pot or barrel half full of dry, crumbled clay, and bran or sand : as the gentles grow big, they will fall into the barrel and scour them- selves^ and be always ready for use whenever you are inclined to fish ; and^ these gentles may be thus created till after Michaelmas. But if you desire to keep gentles all the year^ then get a dead cat or kite, and let it be fly-blown ; and when the gentles begin to be alive and stir, then bury it and them in moist or soft earthy but as free from frost as you can, and these you may dig up at any time when vou want to use. them ;. these will last to March, and about that time turn into flies. Gentles are not only the mos-t universal but also the most alluring bait, tend an angler should never go out a fishing without taking some with him. Trouts have been taken with them when they have refused all kinds of worms and artifi- cial flies : to every kind offish they are an accep- table bait,, pikes and salmons excepted ; but I do. not doubt the v would be so to them, were it possi^- D 3 32 ble to fix them on a hook large enough to hold the above-mentioned fishes. BOW TO FIND AND PRESERVE CATERPILLARS, OAK" WORMSj CABBAGE'WORMS, COLW ART-WORM OR GRUB, CRdB'TREE'WORM OR JACK^ AND GRASS" HOPPERS^ Found by beating the branches of an oak, crab- tree, or hawthorn, that grow over a public path or highway, or upon cabbages, cole worts, &c. Grasshoppers are found in short sun-burnt grass, the latter end of June, all July and August. To preserve these baits, cut a round bough of fine green-barked withy, about the thickness of half one's arm, and taking off the bark about a foot in length, turn both ends together, into the form of a hoop, and fasten them with a needle and thread; then stop up the bottom with a bung-cork, into this put your baits, and tie a colewart leaf over it, and with a red-hot iron bore the bark full of holes, and lay it in the grass every night. In this man- ner your cads may be kept till they turn to flies ; to your grasshopper put grass. PASTES Are variously compounded, according to the an- gler's fancy, but there should always be a little cotton-wool, fine lint, or flax, to keep the parts together, that they wash not off the hooks. The following compositions make very good pastes : The blood of sheep's hearts, mixed with honey and flour, and worked to a proper consistence : old cheese grated, a little butter, sufficient to SINGULARLY KILLING BAITS. 33 work it, and coloured with saffron. In winter, fat rusty bacon instead of butter. Crumbs of bread, worked with honey, and moistened with gum-ivy water. The inside of a French roll, or crumbs of **^";ead, worked well with clean hands with water alone. What fishes each of these pastes are pro- per for, the reader will find under the description of each fish, therefore I shall only make the fol- lowing observations concerning pastes, which may be of use to young anglers, because founded on experience : note, that in September, and all the winter months, when you angle for chubs, carps, and breams, with paste, let the bait be as large as a hazel-nut ; but for roach and dace, the bigness of a pea is sufficient. Chuse a still place, use a quill float, a small hook^ and strike at the first bi- ting of the fish. When you wish to have your pastes of a yellow colour, use a little turmeric; when of a flesh or salmon colour, vermihon or red lead. BAITS SINGULARLY HILLING TO FISH WITB. Sheep's blood, placed on a trencher till it be- comes pretty hard, then cut into small pieces pro- portioned to the size of the hook : put a little salt to it, and it will prevent its growing black. Wheat or malt, boiled soft in milk, and the husk taken off, a good bait either in winter or summer. The ant-fly, found in June, July, August, and the be- ginning of September, in mole-hills or ant-nests, where they breed : take some of the earth, and the roots of the grass which grow upon it, and put all in a glass bottle, then gather some of the lar- gest and blackest ant-flies, and put them into the 34 best's art of angling. bottle. These are a deadly bait for roach, dace> and chub : you must angle with them under wa- ter, a hand's breadth from the bottom. The young brood of wasps, hornets, and humble-bees, are likewise very good : also minnows, loaches, sharp- lings, and bull-head s> Snails, black and white : the black one's bellies slit to show the white. Likewise cherries, blackberries, cheese kept a day or two in wet rags, which makes it tough, or steeped in a little honey. Also salinon-spawn> which must be boiled till it is hard enough to stick on the hook ; and if you wish to preserve it, sprinkle a little salt over it, and get a glazed earthen pot, and put a layer of wool at the bot- tom of it, and then a little salmon spawn upon that ; then wool again, and then spawn, and so proceed alternately till the pot is filled : it is a most destructive bait in the winter and spring, es- pecially if angled with where salmon are known> to spawn ; for there every kind of fish resort iik order to devour it. CHAP. IV. Of natural Fl^-Jlshing^ with a Description of Flies- generally used^ and a choice Collection of Rules and Hints to be observed in the Art of Angling. NATURAL fly,-fishing. which comes under the heads of dibbling, daping, and dab- bing, is a method with which the largest fish are taken, and requires a deal of nicety and circum- spection. The general rule in this way of angling: FLY-FISHINGj &C. 35 is to fish with a hne about half the length of your rod ; but if there is wind stirring, with as much as it will carry out ; but you need hardly ever fish with more than the first length, as dibbling must he performed as near as possible to the bank that you stand on ; therefore a long rod and a short line is the best, which you will command with ease^ and be able to shelter yourself from the sight of the fishes, behind bushes, stumps of trees, &c. The line you dib with should be very strong ; for when you have struck a good fish, you will have a hard bout with him before you kill him, for want of a greater length of line: therefore, whenever I dib I always use a ringed rod, with a winch for my line fixed on it, by which means I can always keep my line to any length, without the trouble of changing it ; and when 1 have hooked a good fish, can always give him as much scope as 1 think necessary, and kill him with great ease and certainty ; this method I would by all means advise the angler to use, who will be thoroughly convinced of its utility at the first trial he makes. Let the top of your rod be a stiff one. When you see a fish rise near you, guide your fly over him immediately, and he is your own if the fly you use is strong on the wa- ter. When you dib for chub, roach, and dace, move your fly very slow when you see them make at it, or let the stream carry it down towards -them : if it be in a still, deep, shady hole, draw the fly sideways by them, and they will always eagerly pursue it. The roach takes flies the best a little under water. The best for the angler's use in this method of angling are as follow : 36 best's art of angling. OAK'FLYp ASU'FLYy OR WOODCOCK-FLY^ Found on the body of an oak or ash, with his head downwards in general, and near the bottom of the tree : it is a brownish fly, and is taken from the beginning of May till the end of August. STONE-FLY^ Found under hollow stones, at the side of rivers, is of a brown colour, with yellow streaks on the back and belly, has large wings^ and is in season from April to July. GREEN DRAKEy Found among stones by river-sides, has a yellow body ribbed with green, is long and slender, with wings like a butterfly, his tail turns on his back, and is easily taken from May to Midsummer : put the point of the hook into the thickest part of his body, vmder one of his wings, run it direct- ly through, and out on the other side ; then take another, and put him on in the same manner, but with his head the contrary way : they will live so near a quarter of an hour. The green and grey drake are taken both in streams and still waters, at all hours of the day, while in season : the stone-fly chiefly in the morn- ing and evening. GREY I^RAKEy Found in general where the green drake is> and in shape and dimensions perfectly the same, but GREY DRAKE. 37 almost quite another colour, being of a paler and more livid yellow, and green and ribbed with black quite down his body, with black shining wings, diaphanous and very tender : it comes in and is taken after the green drake, and when made artificially, as directed in part the 2d, for the month of May, kills fish very well. The fol- lowing curious account of it from Bowlker can- not fail to amuse the reader. ^^ I happened to walk by the river-side, at that season of the year, when the May-flies (he means the grey sort), which are a species of the Libella^ come up out of the water, where they lie in their husks for a considerable time, at the bottom or sides of the river, near the likeness of the nymph of the small common Libella ; but when it is mature, it splits open its case, and then, with great agility, up springs the new little animal, with a slender body, four blackish-veined, trans- parent wings, with four black spots on the upper wings, and the under wings much smaller than the upper ones, with three long hairs on its tail. The husks which are left behind float innumera- ble on the water. It seemed to me a species of Ephemeron, and I imagined it was the same in- sect described bv Godart and Swamerdan : but a few days convinced me to the contrary, for I soon found them to be of longer duration than theirs. The first business of this creature, after he is dis- engaged from the water, is flying about to find out a proper place to fix on, as trees, bushes, &c. to wait for another surprising change, which is effected in a few days. The first hint I received ©f this wonderful operation was seeing the exuvicB hanging on a hedge : I then collected a great many, and put them into boxes ; and by strictly 38 best's art of angling. observing them, I could tell when they were ready to put off their husks, though but so lately put on. I had the pleasure to show my friends one that I held in my hand all the while it per- formed this great work. It is surprising to see how easily the back part of the fly spUt open, and produced the new birth, which I could not per- ceive partakes of any thing from its parent, but leaves head, body, wings, legs, and even its three-haired tail, behind on the case. After it has reposed itself a while, it flies with great briskness to seek its mate. In the new fly a remarkable difference is seen in their sexes, which I could not so easily perceive in their first state, the male and female being then much of a size ; but now the male was much the smallest, and the hairs in his tail much the longest. I was very careful to see if I could find them engender- ing, but all that I could discover was, that the males separated, and kept under cover of the trees, remote from the river : hither the females resorted, and mixed with them in their flight, great numbers together, with a very quick mo- tion of darting or striking at one another when they met, with great vigour, just as house-flies will do in a sunny room : this they continued to do for man}^ hours, and this seemed to be their way of coition, which must be quick and soon performed, as they are of so short a duration. When the females were impregnated, they left tlie company of the males, and sought the river, and kept constantly playing up and down on the water. It was very plainly seen, that every time they darted down, they ejected a cluster of eggs, which seemed a pale, blueish speck, like a small drop of milk, as they descended on the v* ater ; GREY DRAKE. 39 then, by the help of their tail, they spring tip again, and descend again, and thus continue till they have exhausted their stock of eggs, and spent their strength, being so weak that they can rise no more, but fall a prey to the fish ; but by much the greater number perish on the waters, which are covered with them ; this is the end of the females ; but the males never resort to the jivers, as I could perceive, but after they have done their office, drop down, languish and die under the trees and bushes. I observed that the females were most numerous, which was very ne- cessary, considering the many enemies they have during the sliort time of their appearance, for both birds and fish are very fond of them, and no doubt under the water they are food for saiall aquatic insects. AVhat is further remarkable in this surprising creature is, that in a life of a few days it eats nothing, seems to have no apparatus for that purpose, but brings up with it, out of the water, sufficient support to enable it to shed its skin, and to perform the principal end of life with great vivacity. The particular time when I observed them very numerous and sportive, was on the C6th of Mav, at six o'clock in the even- ins:. It was a si^ht verv surprisins; and entertam- ing, to see the rivers teeming vvitn lo numerable pretty, nimble, flying insects, and almost every thing near covered with them. When I looked up into the air it was full of them, as high as I could discern ; and being so thick and always in motion, they made almost such an appearance as when one looks up, and sees the snow coming down ; and yet this wonderful appearance, in three or four days after the last of May, totally disappeared," 40 best's art of angling. JIAWTBOftN-FLY^ Found on every hawthorn-bush when the leaves tiome forth. It is used for dibbing, in some rivers, for trouts. GREJT MOTH^ Found, when there is a little breeze, in summer- evenings, in gardens, has a great head, not unlike an owl, whitish wings and yellowish body. The chub takes this exceedingly well, BLACK BEE OR HUMBLE BEE^ Found in clay walls, and is an excellent bait for the chub. Some cut off his legs and upper wings. N. B. The reader will find the peculiar method of dibbing for chub under the description of that fish. RULES AND HINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN ANGLING, 1st. Every brother angler should be possessed of a great deal of patience and resignation, and not be cast down with bad luck, or be elated with good ; for the same success cannot always attend him. 2d. Never angle in glaring colors, for they are the easiest to be discerned by the fishes : always turn out early in the morning, for that is the best time of the day : keep your tackle always neat, and let your baits be in the highest perfection, 3d. When you angle^ shelter yourself as much RLLES AND HINTS IN ANGLING. 41 as possible from the sight of the fishes^ for they are timorous and easily frightened ; and when you angle for trout, you never need make above one or two trials for him in the same place, for he will in that time either take the bait or let it alone. 4th. When the nights prove dark, cloudy, or windy, you will the next day have but little sport in respect to catching large fishes, especially trouts; for in those nights they range about and devour small fishes ; but if the nights are bright, and the moon and stars are out, and the days fol- lowing should be overcast, dark, and gloomy, you may depend on having good sport ; for fishes are then as timorous as in sun-shiny days, and never stir from their holds : therefore, having abstained from food all night, they are hungry and eager, and being encouraged by the darkness and gloom- iness of the day to range about, they then bite boldly and eagerly. .5th. H you wish to know what ground-bait fishes like best, the first you take open his stomach, and there you will find what he fed on last, and bait accordingly. 6th. If, before you go out to an^le, you should imagine, by the looks of the weather, that it will prove showery or thunder, always take three or four night-lines out with you, and whilst you an- gle for other fish, lay them in according to your judgment, baited with well-scoured lob-worihs,^ and you may depend on catching large eels, trout, 8cc. 7th. The best way to bait your hook, for this kind of fishing, or for worm-fishing in general, either with lob-worms, brandlings, &c. is thus : if you bait with one worm, put your hook into him E 2 42 best's art or angling. somewhat above the middle, and out again a lit- tle below the middle ; having so done, draw your worm above the arming of your hook : but note, you must enter the hook at the tail of the worm, and not at the head ; then, having drawn him above the arming of your hook before-mentioned, put the point of your hook again into the very head of the worm, till it come near the place where the point of the hook first came out, and then draw back that part of the worm that was above the shank or arming of your hook : if you fish with two worms, then put the second on be- fore you turn back the hook on the first worm. 8th. If when you are angling in any particular spot, and have had good sport, the fishes should suddenly leave offbiiing, you may conclude that some of the fish of prey arc come to the part you are fishing in ; therefore put a minnow on your hook alive, sticking it through his upper lip, or back-fin : let your tackle be strong, in case the pike should be there, but for a certainty you may depend that either he or the perch will take it : but the best way is to have a trimmer or two with you, which may be applied with great advantage whilst you angle for other fish. 9th. When you have struck a good fish, keep your rod bent, which will prevent him from rnti- ning to the end of the line, whereby he might break his hold. 10th. In ponds, angle near the fords where cattle go to drink : and in rivers, angle for breams in the deepest and quietest parts : for eels under trees hanging over banks ; for chubs in deep shaded holes; for perches in scours; for roaches, in winter in the deeps, at all other times where you angle for perches ; and for trouts in quick streams* RULES AND HINTS IN ANGLING. 43 11th. It is good angling in whirlpools^ under bridges, at the falls of mills, and in any place where the water is deep and clear, and not dis- turbed with wind or weather ; also, at the open- ing of sluices, and mill-dams ; and if you go with the course of the water, you will hardly miss catching fishes that swim up the stream -to seek what food the water brings down with it. 12th. When you fish for roach, dace, 8cc. in a stream, cast your ground-bait above your hook^ and always remember to plumb your ground. 13th. Never trust the 'strength of your rod or line when you have hooked a good fish, but al- ways use your landing-net. 14th. if the joints of your rod, through wet, should stick so that you cannot easily get them asunder, never use force, for then you will strain your rod ; but turn the ferule of the joint that is fast a few times over the flame of a candle, and it will separate. 15th. The best times for angling are from April to October, and the best time of the day from three till nine in the morning, and three in the evening till sun-set. The south wind is the best to angle in, the next best point to that is tlic west : the cooler these blow in the hottest months is the best time to fish. lOth. Never angle in an easterly wind> for your labour will be in vain ;. but you may if the wind blows from any other point, piovided not too sharply. Fishes will never bite before a shower of rain : this hint may save you many a wet skin.^ 17th. In the morning, if there happens to be a hoar frosty either in the spring or adv:incing ol * Vide the Prognostics, 44 best's art of angling. the season, fishes will not bite that day, except in the evening ; and after they have spawned, very ill, till with grass and weeds they have scoured themselves, and by that means recovered their appetite. 18th. The best time for the trout to be taken, and other fishes with the ground-line, is morning and evening, in clear weather and water ; but if the day proves cloudy or the water muddy, you may angle all day long. 19th. The angler may depend on catching store of fishes in a dark, close, gloomy, or lowering day, if the wind be southerly, and when, as the poet observes, ** The slealiDg shower is scarce to patter heard, ** By such as wander thro' the forest walks, ** Beneath th' umbrageous multitude of leaves." Having given the reader every necessary in* struction in regard to the breeding and feeding of fishes ; with the best advice concerning his rods, lines, floats, hooks, baits, &c. ; and a set of very choice rules, hints, and cautions, I shall now tell him the best methods of taking the fishes in ge- neral angled for in England and Wales. FISH IN ENGLAND AND WALES. 45 CHAP. V. A Description of the Fish generally angled for in England and Wales ; with the proper Times and Seasons to fish for them^ their peculiar Haunt s, spawning Time^ and most killing Baits^ Sfc, TBE SALMON, I THE salmon^ according to the opinion of some, breeds in the sea ; hut that of others seems better warranted, that he breeds in the clear, sandy parts of rivers, not far from the mouths thereof. They commonly spawn in October, and the young become samlets the following year, and in a few months a large salmon. They spawn in some ri- vers in September, but in the Severn in May. The milter and spavvner having performed their office, betake to the sea ; and we are told, that when they have been obstructed in their passage, they have grown so impatient, that, clapping their tails to their mouths, with a sudden spring, they have leaped clear over wears and other obstacles which stood in their way, and some, by leaping short, have by that means been taken. If they happen to meet with such impediments that they cannot get to sea, they become sick, lean, and pine away, and die in two years. The principal occa- sion of their dying is this : the salmon being a fish by nature tender and very chill, cannot, in the winter-season, endure the extreme frigidity of 46 best's art of angling. the fresh river-water, by reason of its tenuity, es- pecially being so lately weakened by spawning ; and therefore, by instinct, they make the sea their winter habitation, the sea being naturally warm : but if they spawn in the mean time, from thence proceeds a small sahiion, called a skegger, which never grows large. The female salmon is distin- guished from the male, because its nose is longer and more hooked, its scales not so bright, and its body speckled over with dark brown spots, its belly flatter, and its flesh not so red, more dry, and less delicious to the taste. The principal rivers in England for salmon are, 1st, the Thames, whose salmon beats all others for taste and flavour ; the Severn and the Trent ; the Lon, at Lancaster, about Cockersand Abbey ; at Workington in Cumberland ; Bywell in Nor- thumberland, Durham, and Newcastle on Tyne ; the Dee in Cheshire ; and the rivers Usk and VVye in Monmouthshire. Besides the salmon-leap in the river Tivy in Pembrokeshire, there is another in the river Ban in Ireland : this river is in the mountains of Mourn in the county of DoWn, and it passes through Lough Eaugh,or Lough Sidney, a large lake in the county of Coleraine. Mr. Cambden says, it breeds salmons in abundance, above all other rivers in Europe, because it is thought to exceed alt others for clearness, in which sort of water salmons delight. He bites best about three in the afternoon, in May, June, July, and August, if the water be clear, and a lit- tle breeze of wind stirring, especially if the wind and stream be contrary. You must fish for him like a trout, with a worm, fly, or minnow, or lob- worm is an excellent bait for him, well scoured in moss, which makes him tough, clear, and lively. FISH IN ENGLAND AND WALES. 47 ' t ' " ■ ■ When you have struck him^ he will plunge and bounce in the water very much^ therefore it is ne- cessary to have a strong rod^ ringed the same as a trowling-rod, and a winch with a strong line on it forty yards long, with which lengthy and a proper playing him^ you may kill the largest-sized one. He has not a constant residence like a trout^ but removes often^ and you should always angle for him as near the spring-head as possible^ in the deep- est and broadest parts of the river^ near the ground. Put two large lob-worms on at a time, and you may fish without a float, that is, with a running line. Let one yard next to your hook be gimp, and your hook a proper-sized salmon-hook. No. 1. N. B. When I come to treat of fly-fishing, the proper flies for the salmon, &,c. will be clearly expressed. THE TROUT. The trout is a delicious fresh-water fish, speck- led with red and yellow, coming in and going out of season with the buck, and spawning in the cold months of October and November, whereas all other fishes spawn in the hot summer months. There are several species of this fish, all valued very much ; but the best are the red and yellow, and of these the female, distinguished by a less head and deeper body, is preferred : by the large- ness of their backs you may know when they are in season, which may serve as a rule for all other fishes. All winter long, they are sick, lean, and unwholesome, and frequently lousy. As the spring advances, deserting the still, deep waters, they repair to the gravelly ground against which they continue to rub, till they have got rid of their 48 best's art of angling. lice, which are a kind of worm, with large heads ; J'rom that time they delight to be in sharp streams, and such as are very swift, where they He in wait for minnows, may-flies, &c. The latter part of May they are in the highest perfection. He is usually caught with a worm, minnow, or fly, either natural or artificial. The different baits for him are the earth-worm, dung-worm, and the maggot or gentle, but the best are the lob-worm and brandling. Elis haunts are purling brooks, run- ning very swift over chalk-stones, gravel, Sec. He is oftener taken in the side of the stream than in it, though the large ones are often caught in the deepest part of it. He delights to shelter himself behind large stones, or small banks that hang over the river, which the stream running against cre- ates a foam ; also in the eddies between two streams. His hold is usually under the roots of trees, and in hollow banks in the deepest parts of rivers. When you angle for him at the ground, let the link of your line next the hook be the best silk-worm gut you can provide ; and have a nice elastic rod, which will enable you to strike true, and to feel him when he bites. Angle for him with a running line, and begin at the upper part of the stream, carrying your line with an upright hand, and feeling your lead run on the ground about ten inches from the hook, leading your line according to the swiftness of the stream, as before directed. If you bait either with one or two worms, follow the manner of baiting them which I have laid down in the rules, and you will run on the ground without being entangled. There is a very killing method likewise for a large trout : make a pair of wings of the feather of a land-rail, and point your hook with one or THE TROUT. 49 more cadis : your hook should be bristled^ that is, when you whip on your hook, fasten a hog's bristle under the silk, with the end standing out about a straw's breadth, at the head of the hook, from under the silk, and pointing towards the line, by which means the head of the cadis will be kept close to the wings. Angle with a rod about five yards long, and a line about three : cast the wings and cadis up the stream, which will drive it down under the water towards the lower part of the hole; then draw it up the stream verv gently, though irregularly, at the same time shak- ing your rod, and in a few casts you will be sure to hook him, if there is one in the hole. You may angle the same way with two brandlings. If you use two cadis with the wings, run your hook in at the head and out at the neck of the first, ^and quite through the other from head to tail. The minnow is the most excellent of all uaits for the trout ; when you fish with one, chuse the whitest, and middie-sized ones, these bein^; the best ; and you must place him on your hook iii such a manner, that being drawn against the stream he may turn round. The best way of baiting with a minnow is thus : put your hook in at his mouth, and out at his gill, drawing it through about three inches : then put the hook again into his mouth, and let the point and beard come out at his tail ; then tie the h also a paste made of honey and bread, and one made with bread and water alone, tinctured with red lead ; but nothing, in my opinion, beats a green pea, parboiled, having killed more with that than any other bait. A carp, weighing fifteen pounds seven ounces, was some time back taken out of the water in Lord Exeter's grounds at Burghley. In the Swiss and Italian lakes, it is far from rare to catch trouts that are double that size. The hooks for this fish No. 3 or 4. In fine sun-shiny days, carps will often prime about noon, and swim about the edges of a pond to catch such flies as fall upon the surface of the tv^ater : let the angler then take a strong rod, and pliable at the top, a strong line, and a hopk large THE BREAM. 53 enough for a lob -worm ; then finding a place free from weeds, about the compass of the crown of a hat, let him drop his bait without a float, and with only one large shot upon the line, which he must lodge upon the leaf of some adjoining weed, so that the bait may not be above eight inches in the water; then retiring, but so as to keep his eye upon the shot, let him wait *till he sees it taken away, with about a foot of the line, and then strike : when he has hooked his fish, let him keep him tight, and not suffer him to entan- gle himself among the weeds : but either draw him out by main force, or pull him into a clear place. N, B. The foregoing method is an excellent one, and great numbers of carp may be taken by it in ponds that are well stocked. TBE BREAM. The time of the bream's spawning is in June : his chief residence is in ponds : he is a bony fish, and very slow of growth. From St. James's tide to Bartholomew tide is the best time to angle for him, and the best time of the ^ay in that season is from sun-rise to eight o'clock, in a gentle stream, the water being rather thick and curled with a good breeze. He delights in the deepest afid widest parts of the water, and if the bottom is clear and sandy it is the better. His baits are gentles, red-worms, gilt-tails, and grasshoppers : when he takes your bait he makes for the oppo- site shore, therefore give him play, for though he is a strong-made fish, he will not struggle much, but two or three times fall on one side, and you may land him very easily. Angle for him with t i4 best's art of angling. strong line^ with gut at bottom^ the hook No. 4 ; and throw in the place you intend to angle for him^ a ground-bait made of malt, grains, bran, blood, and clay, the night before ; and you may fish with two or three lines, plumbed to different depths, and follow the method which is laid down for the carp. The French esteem this fish highly, and hav which is thus performed: in a hot summer's day, go to any hole that you know they haunt, and you will find perhaps thirty or forty of them basking themselves on the surface of the water : then take your rod, which must be very strong and long, your line the same, but about a yard in length, and bait the hook with a grass- hopper. You must shelter yourself behind some bush or stump of a tree, so as not to be seen ; for the chub is very timorous, and the least shadow will make him sink to the bottom, though he will soon rise again : having therefore fixed your eye upon the largest and best, drop your bait with great caution before him, and he will instantly take it, and be held fast ; for he is a leather-mouthed fish^ and seldom breaks hold if played properly. N. B. In dibbing where you cannot get a grass- Hopper, any. fly, beetle, or moth, will equally an- swer the purpose. When you are roving for perch with a minnow, y^u will often take large chub. THE BARBEL* The barbel, so called on account of the barb or beard that is under his nose or chops, is a leather- mouthed ^sh ; and though he seldom breaks his hold when hooked, yet if he proves a large one he often breaks both rod and line. The male is es« teemed much better than the female, but neither of them are very extraordinary. They swim in great shoals, and are at the worst in April, at which t ne they spawn, but soon come into season again. Tne places tliey chiefty resoit to are such as are THE BARBEL. '€5 weedy, grav^My, rising grounds, in which this fisli is said to dig, and rout his nose like a swine. In die summer he frequents the strongest and swiftest currents of water, as under deep bridges, wears, 8cc. and is apt to settle himself amongst the piles, hol- low places, and in moss and weods. In the autumn he retires into the deeps, where he remains all the winter and beginning of the spring. The best baits for him arc salmon-spawn, lob-worms, gentles, bits of cheese wrapt up in a wet linen rag to make them tough, or steeped in honey for twenty-four hours, and greaves : observe that the sweeter and cleaner your baits are kept, the more eager he takes them. You cannot bait the ground for him too much^ when you angle for him with any kind of garbage : as lob-worms cut in pieces, malt and grains incor- porated with blood and clay, &c. The earlier and iatei' you fish for him in the months of June, July^ and August the better. Your rod and line must be veiy strong : the former ringed, and the lattei: must have gimp at the bottoin, but I think twisted gut is better. A running phimmet must be |)lace4 on your line, which is a bullet* with a hole through it : place a large shot a foot above the hook, t© prevent the bullet falling on it. The worm will of course be at the bottom, for no float is to be used, and when the barbel takes the bait, the bullet will lay on the ground and not choak him. By the beuding of your rods you will know when he bites, and also with your hands will feel him give a strong snatch : then strike him, and he will be your own if yon play him well ; but if you do not manage him with dexterity, he will break your tackle. ♦ I have found lately that the flat plummet is much better. G £ 66 You must have on your rod a winch, and a line on it about thirty yards long. The most famous places near London for bar- bel-angling are Kingston-bridge and Shepperton- deeps ; but Walton-deeps, Chertsey-bridge, Hampton-ferry, and the holes under Cooper's hill, are in no wise inferior. You may likewise meet with them at all the locks between Maiden- head and Oxford, N. B. Their spawn acts as a violent cathartic and emetic. His liver is likewise unwholesome. The hooks for this fish. No. 1 or 2. THE EEL, Authors of natural history, in regard to the eel, have advanced various conjectures; and in some measure have contradicted each other entirely on this head ; namely, whether they are produced by generation or corruption, as worms are, or by cer- tain glutinous drops of dew, which falling in May and June, on the banks of some ponds or rivers, are hy the heat of the sun turned into eels. Abr. My- ,lius, in a treatise on the origin of animals, describes ja method of producing them by art. He says that if he cut up two turfs covered with May-dew, and lay one on the other, the grassy side inwards, and thus expose them to the heat of the sun, in a few hours there will spring from them an infinite quantity of eels. Eels are distinguished into four kinds, viz. the silver eel ; a greenish eel, called a grey ; a blackish eel, with a broad flat head ; and lastly, an eel with reddish fins. The eel's haunts are chiefly amongst weeds, under roots and stumps of trees, holes, and clefts in the earth, both in the banks and at bottom, and in the plain mud ; where THE EEL. 67 they lay with only their heads out, watching for |)rey ; also about flood-gates, wears, bridges, and old mills, and in the still waters that are foul and muddy ; but the smallest eels are to be met with in all sorts of rivers and soils. They conceal them- selves in the winter for six months in the mud, and they seldom rove about in the summer in the day- time, but all night long ; at which time you may take a great number of them, by laying in night- lines, fastened here and there to banks, stumps of trees, &c. of a proper length for the depth of the water, leaded so as to lay on the ground, and a pro- per eel-hook whipped on each, baited with the fol- lowing baits, which he delights in, viz. garden- worm^ or lobs, minnows, hen's guts, fish-garbage, loaches, small gudgeons, or miller^s thumbs, also small roaches, the hook being laid in their mouths. There are two ways to take them in the day- time, called sniggling and bobbing. Sniggling is thus performed : take a strong line, and bait your hook with a large lob-worm, and go to such places above-mentioned, where eels hide them- selves in the day-time : put the bait gently into the hole by the help of a cleft stick, and if the eel is there he will certainly bite. Let him tire him- self by tugging before you ofi'er to pull him out, or else he will break your line. The other method is called bobbing, in order to perFonii this, you must scour some large lobs, and with a needle ruii a twisted silk or worsted through as many of them, from end to end, as will lightly wrap a dozen times round your hand : make them into links, and fasten them to strong packthread or whip- Cord, two yards long : then make a knot in the line about six or eight inches from the worms ; aftel- w ards put three quarters of a pound of lead, made G 3 68 best's aPwT of angling. in a pyramidal form^ on the cord : the lead must, be made hollow three parts of the way up it, and then a hole must be bored through it big enough to put the cord through, and let the lead slide down to the knot. Then fix all to a manageable pole, and use it in muddy water. When the fishes tng, let them have time to fasten, then draw them gently up and hoist them quick to shore. A boat called a punt is very useful in this kind of fishing. Some use an eel-spear to catch eels with, which is an instrument with three or four forks or jagged teeth, which they strike at random into the mud. The rivers Stour in Dorsetshire, Ankam in Lin- colnshire, and Irk in Lancashire, are famed by their respective neighbours for very excellent eels. Mr. Pope has celebrated the river Kennet, in Berk- shire, on the same account, in his Windsor Forest. The Kennet swift, for silver eels renown'd. In Rumsey-mere, in Huntingdonshire, are a great quantity of eels, and large pikes which they call hagets ; but Cambridgeshire boasts of having the most and best eels, if you credit the natives. Eel-pouts, another fish somewhat resembling the eel, but more esteemed, are also found in some rivers. Their haunts are the same as the eel's, and they are to be taken in peals of thunder and heavy rain, when they leave their holes. The best bait is a small gudgeon. Hooks the double or single ones. THE ROACH. The roach is as foolish as the cai*p is crafty ; he is by no means a delicate fish : the river-ones are much better than those bred in ponds. They spawn THE ROACH. 69 in May, and will bite all day long, if the weather is not in either of the extremes, on the top of the water. Their haunts are chiefly in sandy or gra- velly deep waters, delighting to be in the shade. In April their baits are cads and worms. In sum- mer white snails or flies. In autumn a paste made of fine w hite bread, moulded in your hands with water, and a little cotton added to it, to keep it from washing off the hook. In winter gentles are the best bait for him. You should fish with a line made of single hairs, a quill-float, and the lead about a foot from the hook ; and when you angle for roach, always cast in a ground-bait, made of bran, clay, and bread, incorporated together ;* and when you angle with tender baits, always strike at the least nibble that is apparent. Sprout- ed malt, the young brood of wasps, bees dipt in blood, and the dried blood of sheep, are nostrums in this king of angling. The largest roach in this kingdom are taken in the Thames, where many have been caught of two pounds and a half weight ; but roach of any size are hard to be taken without a boat. The people who live in the fisliing-towns along the banks of the Thames, have a method of dressing large roach and dace^ which, it is said, renders them a very pleasant and savoury food ; it is as follows : without scaling the fish, lay him on a grid- iron, over a slow fire, and strew a little flour on him : when he begins to grow brown, make a slit, not more than skin deep, in his back, from head to tail, and lay him on again. When he is broiled enough, the skin, scales and all, will peel off, and * Coarse bran and flour make an excellent ground-bait, but they must not be too much moulded. 70 leave the flesh, w liich will be by that time very firm and perfectly clean. Open the belly, take out the inside, and use anchovy aud butter for sauce. Red paste is an excellent bait, coloured with ver- milion or red lead as I have before laid down, but it is best to take with you gentles, white paste, and their other baits, as they are very fond of change, and will refuse one minute what they will take the next. Their hooks No. 11 or 12. THE DACB OR DARE, This fish, and the roach, are much of the same kind, therefore the directions given for one will serve for the other. They spawn about the mid- dle of March, and will take any fly, especially the Stonecadew-fly, May-fly, the latter end of April and most part of May ; and the ant-fly in June, July, and August. When you angle for the dace with the ant-fly under water, let it be about two hands* breadth from the ground. They never refuse a fly in a warm day on the top of the water. The best bait for them in the winter, is the earth-bob, it is the spawn of the beetle, and is to be found by following the plough in sandy- ish grounds; put them into a vessel with some of the earth from whence they are taken, and use them all the winter as an excellent bait, as I have before-mentioned in the description of baits. As for your line, &c. the directions given for the roach, will serve in all respects for the dace or dare. Dace may be also taken with flesh-flies, upon the surface of the water ; into whose backs, be- tween the wings, you must put your hook, which should be very small : they bite in the morning THE DACE OR DARE. 71 and evening ; you must then provide a cane-rod, which is the Hghtest of any, and let it be seventeen feet at least in length, and your line which should, from the middle downwards, consist of single-hairs, be a little longer than your rod; then provide asufR- cient quantity of small house-flies, which keep in a phial, stopped with a cork. With these repair, especially about seven or eight o'clock in a sum- mer's evening, to a mill-stream, and having fixed three or four hooks, with single-hair links, not above four inches long to your line, bait them with the flies, and angle upon the surface of the water on the smoothest part, at the end of the stream ; the dace will rise freely, especially if the sun does not shine on that part of the water where you cast the flies, and you may take two or three at a time. This sport will continue as long as day-light will permit you to see the flies. In the same manner dace will also rise at the ant- fly upon the surface of the water, if used in a morning at the foot of a current or mill-stream or on the scour before the sun comes on the water. If the water is high, so as to be almost equal with its banks, take your fly-rod, and fasten to your line an artificial-fly, called the caterpillar-fly, or a small red palmer, then lake a large yellow gentle, the yel- lower the better, run the hook through the skin of iiy and draw it up to the tail of the fly : this being done, whip it on the surface of the water, and if you are diligent and expert, you will have good diversion. If you angle where two mill-streams are going at the same time, let it be in the eddy between the two streams ; first make use of your plummet ; if the water is deep, angle within a foot of the bottom, and perhaps you will find but poor sport; but if it proves to be shallow, that is, about 72 best's AET or ANGMJfG. the depdi of two feet, or not exceeding three, your spoit may be bettei*; bait your hook with three large gentles, use a cork-float, be very at* tentive, and strike at the very fii*st bite : if there are any large dace in the mill-pool, they will re- sort to die eddy between the two streams. N. B. Whenever you fish for roach or dace, at ground, without you use a ground-bait, the at- tempt is almost useless; but after great heats, when the weather gets cool, you will be sure to Lave good sport. — ^llie hooks. No, 11 or 12. THE GUDGEON. The gudgeon i* a fish that affords the young angler an amazing deal of diversion ; being oiye that bites very free, and when struck is never lost, because he is a leather-mouthed fish. They spawn three or four times in the summer, and their feed- ing is like the barbel's, in the streams and on gra- vel, slighting all manner of flies. Their baits ai^ chiefly wasps, gentles, and cads, but the small red worm is best. When you angle for them, be pro- vided with a gudgeon -rake, with which rake the ground every ten minutes, which gathers them to- gether- A single-haired line is best, with a quill, or cork-float> according to the rapidity of the stream ; your hook JSo. 8 or 9, and your bait on the ground. You may angle for him with a run- ning line by hand without a float. The author '^ On Angling in the River Trent y* gives us a new method of catching them : he first desires us ^^ never to continue in the water long, though he has been in it for six hours together ;'* he then observes, with his usual circumspection, ^' that the best way of catching theniy is bt/ going THE VOVE ANB WLJiAR* 79 into the water, and stirrit^ up the sand and gravel,'* This surely may be properly termed gud- geon-hunting more than gudgeon-ashing : perhaps they are of a different species in th€ Trent than in the 'Thames^ 6ic, £ic, !! THE POP-E OR RUFF* This fish, wh^h a double name, is^small, and mrely grows bigger than a gudgeon ; in shape very like the perch, but is better food, being in the ti^te as pleasant as any fish whatever. His haunts are in the deepest running parts of a gra- velly river, the exact bottom whereof, having found by plumbings bait your hooks with small red worms, or brandlings ; for you may angle with two or three, and have excellent sport. He bites very greedily; and as they swim in shoals, you may catch twenty or thirty at one standing, in a cool, gloomy day. Use the same tackle as for the gudgeon. The River Yare in Norfolk, is peculiar for plenty of ruffs. Hook, No. 9. THE BLEAK OR BLEY> The bleak, on account of its eagerness to catch flies, is called by some the river-swallow, and by others the fresh-water-sprat, because of its resem- blance to the sea-sprat. He bites very eagerly at all sorts of w^orms, flies, pastes, and sheep's< blood. You may fish for him with six or seven small hooks at a time. He if an excellent fish to initiate a young angler in fly-fishing, by his whipping for them in a hot summer's evening, with a small artificial black gnat. Your tackle 74 best's art of angling. must he fine and neatly formed. He is a capital bait for the pike. Hook, No. 13. THE MINNOW OR PINK. The minnow, though one of the smallest fishes, is as excellent a one to eat as any of the most famed. They are generally found in March and April, and remain till the cold weather compels them to retire to their winter-quarters. He is of a greenish, or wavy sky-colour, his belly very white, his back blackish ; and is a most excel- lent bait for any of the fish of prey : naniiely, the pike, trout, perch, &c. His baits are small red worms, wasps, cads, &c. If you can catch enough of them, they make an excellent tansy, their heads and tails being cut off, and fried in eggs, with a sauce made of butter, sugar, and verjuice.-— The smallest of hooks. THJS LOACH OR LOCH. This fish is very small, but eats very well, and is nourishing food for sick persons. He is found in clear, swift brooks and rivulets, and his food is gravel. He is bearded like the barbel, and freckled with black and white spots. You may take him with a small red worm, at ground ; he delights to be near the gravel, therefore is hardly ^ver seen on the top of the water. — ^The smallest of hooks. THE BULL-HEAD OR MILLER'S THUMB. This fish, on account of its ugliness, is in s me places called the fresh-water devil ; he has a broad THE STICKLEBACK AND GUINNIAD. 75 head and a large mouth, no teeth, but his lips are like a file, with which he nibbles at the bait. They spawn in April, and are full of spawn most of tlie summer. Their haunts in summer are chiefly in holes, or amongst stones in clear water; but in winter they lay in the mud like the eel. The worst of anglers may take this fish ; for if you look above the water in a hot day, you may see him sunning himself on a flat stone, put your hook upon it, baited with a small red worm, and he will take it directly. The taste of this fish is very good. — Hook, INo. 13. THE STICKLEBACK^ SHJRPLING^ OR BANSTICKLE. This fish, with three names, as he is called by in different counties, is a small prickly fish, and not worth the angler's notice, in regard to him- self, but that he is an excellent bait for the trout^ who will take it sooner than the minnow. His prickles must be broke off*, and baited according to the directions given for baiting the minnow, under the description of the trout. N. B. The tackle, baits, &c. for this fish, and the foregoing ones, must be*the same, and very fine. I'here are three fishes which I omitted in the first edition, and what anglers in general seldom meet with, because they are local, and peculiar to certain waters; but as they are held i i high estimation where they are taken, I shall describe them for the reader's information. JLhULA SALMON I SIMILIS — THE GUJNNIAD. Theguinniad, according to Camden and others^ XI 76 BEST^S ART OF ANGLING. is peculiar to Pemble-Meer in Cheshire. ^^ The river Dee^ " says this author, '^ which runs by Chester, springs in Merionethshire, and it runs towards Chester; it passes through the said Pem- ble-Meer, which is a large water, and it is ob- served, that though the river Dee abounds with salmon, and Pemble-Meer with guinniad, yet there are never any salmons caught in the Meer, nor any guinniads in the river. VMBBA MINOR GESN — THE RED CHARR^ OR WELCH TORGOCH, The red charr is a fish whose make is longer and more slender than that of a trout, for one of about eieht inches lonsrwas no more than an inch and a half broad. The back is of a greenish oHve spotted with white. The belly, about the breadth of half an inch, is painted with red, in some of a more lively, in others of a paler co- lour, and in some, especially the female, it is quite white. The scales are small, and the lateral lines straight. The mouth is wide, the jaws pretty equal, except the lower, which is a little sharper and more protuberant than the upper. The lower part of the fins are of a vermilion dye. The gills are quadruple, and it has teeth both in the jaws and on the tongue ; in the upper jaw there is a double row of them. The swimming bladder is like that of a trout ; the liver is not divided into lobes ; the gall-bladder is large ; the heart triangular; the spleen small and black- ish; and the eggs of the spawn large and round. The flesh is more soft and tender than that of a trout, and when boiled can scarcely be allowed to he red. It is in the highest esteem where known> THE GUILT OR GILT CHARll, 77 jind in Wales is accounted the chief dish at the tables of people of fashion. The chief place in England where this fish is taken, is Winander-Meer : but in Wales they are to be had in five difl'erent places, viz. Llam- berris, Llin-Umber,* Festiniog, and Beltus, in Caernarvonshire, and near Casageddor, in Me- rionethshire. In this last county they are smaller than in the former, and are taken in October ; but in Caernarvonshire, in one of the lakes, they are caught in November ; in another in Decem- ber, and in the third in January, and wiien the fishing in one ends^ it begins in another. Dr. Leigh says, the charr, in Coningston-Meer, which is not far from Winander-Meer, are much better, but there are reasons to suppose he was prejudiced in this article. According to Cam- den, the latter Meer is the largest standing- water in this kingdom, being ten miles in length ; and some say it is as smooth at the bottom, as if it was paved with polished marble. They swim to- gether in shoals, and though they appear on the surface of the water in the summer-time, yet they will not suffer themselves to be taken, either with the angle or with nets ; therefore the only season for fishing, is when they resort to the shallow parts of the lakes to spawn : at these limes they set trammel-nets baited, and leave them for w^hole days and nights, into which the fish enter of their own accord. CARP 10 LAC us BENACI — THE GUILT OR GILT CIIARR*^ The Latin writers called the gilt charr, carpi(^ lacm Benaciy because they imagined it was only to be met with in that particular lake, wliere it is H 2 78 best's art of angling. called roeiel'^ but it has since appeared to be the same fish with our gilt charr, which is bred in. Winander-Meer. in the countv of Westmore- land. It is proportionably broader than the trout, and the belly is more prominent; but its length, when greatest, never exceeds twelve inches : the scales are small, the colour of the back is more lively thai! that of a trout, and is beautified with black spots, the belly and sides, beneath the lateral line, are of a bright silver colour; the skull is transparent, and the snout blueish : it has teeth in the lower jaw, on the palate, and the tongue ; the swimming-bladder is extended the whole length of the back, and the gall-bladder is large. The flesh of the gilt charr is red, and is accounted so very delicious amongst the Italians, that they say it excels all other pond and sea fish whatever; and they esteem the nature of it so wholesome, that they allow- sick persons to eat it. Some have doubted whether the Welch and English fish, are of the same kind or not; but Mr. Ray thinks there is no room to make a doubt of it. The Welch name torgoch, signifies a red belly, which distinguishes the red charr pro- perly enough : the gilt charr is, indeed, quite a different species, and is about twice as small as the red ; the belly of the former is red, the flesh white, and the spot* on the back white likewise; whereas the belly of the latter is of a silver co- lour, the flesh red, and the back is spotted with black. * The charr and ^inniad never change their shire^ But live in AVinander and Pemble-Meer?/ MAKING FISH-PONDS, STEWS, ETC. 7^ CHAP. VI. The most scientific method of making Fish-Ponds^ Stews^ Sfc. to which is added several Arcana in the Art of Angling* rr is agreed, that those grounds are best that are full of springs, and apt to be moorish : the one breeds them well, and the other preserws them from being stolen. The situation of the pond is also to be consi- dered, and the nature of the currents that fall into it; likewise that it be refreshed with a little brook, or with rain-water that falls from the ad- jacent hilly ground. And that those ponds which receive the stale and dung of horses, breed the largest and fattest fishes. In making the pond, observe that the head be at the lowest part of the ground ; and tbe trench of the flood-gate, or sluice, has a good swift fall, that it may not be long in emptying. If the pond carries six teet of watei* it is enough; but it must be eight feet deep, to rieceive the freshes and rains that should fall into it. It would be also advantageous to have shoals on the sides^, for the fishes to sun themselves in, and lay their spawn on ; besides in other places certain holes, hollow banks, shelves, roots oi* trees, islands, &c. to serve as their retiring places. (Con- sider further, whether your pond be a breeder ; if so^ never expect any large carps from thence v H 3 80 best's art of angling. the greatness of the number of spawn overstock- ing the pond. Mr. Tull, in order to prevent the excessive in- crease of fish in his ponds, first practised castra- tion on them, which made them grow larger than their usual size. But I think the operation pecur liarly cruel, and the purpose of it only a detesta^ ble piece of Apician refinement. For large carps a store-pond is ever accounted the best ; and to make a breeding-pond become a store-pond, see what quantity of carps it will contain : then put in all milters or all spawners : whereby in a little time you may have carps that aro both large and exceedingly fat. Thus by put- ting in one sex, there is em impossibility of the increase of them ; yet the roaches, notwithstand- ing this precaution, will multiply. Reserve some great waters for the head quarters of the fishes whence you may take, or wherein you may put, any quantity thereof. And be sure to have stews and other auxiliary waters, so as you may convey any part of the stock from one to the other; so to lose no time in the growth of the fishes, but employ your water as you do your land, to the best advantage. View the grounds, and find out some fall between the hills, as near a flat as may be, so as to leave a proper current for the water. If there be any difficulty of judging of such, take an opportunity, after some sudden rain, or break- ing up of a great snow in winter, and you will plainly see which way the ground casts, for the water will take the true fall, and run accordingly. The condition of the place must determine the quantity of the ground to be covered with water. For example, I may propose in all fifteen acres in three ponds, or eight acres in two, and not less ; MAKING FISH-PONDS, STEWS, ETC. 81 and these ponds should be placed one above ano- ther, so as the point of the lower may almost reach the head or bank of the upper, which contrivance is no less beautiful than advantageous. The head, or bank, which by stopping the cur- rent, is to raise the water, and so make a pond, must be built with the clay or earth taken out of the pan or hollow, dug in the lowest ground above the bank : the shape of the pan to be a half oval_, whereof the flat to come to the bank, and the longer diameter to run square from it. For two large ponds of three or four acres a- piece, it is advisable to have four stews, each two rods wide, and three long. The stews are usually in gardens, or near the house, to be more handy and better looked to. The method of making them, is to carry the bottom in a continual decline fix)m one end, with a mouth to favour the draw- ing them with a net. IS THE ART OF ANGLING, TO CATCH FISHES, TAKE Cociilus IndicuSy which is a poisonous narcotic, called also bacccd piscatoricB, fish- er's berries, and pound them in a mortar, then make balls of the paste which will be produced (by adding a sufficient quantity of water) about the size of a pea, and through them into a stand- ing-water; the fish that taste of it will be very soon intoxicated, and will rise and lie on the sur- face of the water; put your landing-net under them, and take them out. Coculus Indicus is a little berry, about as big as a bay-berry, but more of a kidney-shape, having a wrinkled outside, with a seam running length- ways from the back to the navel : it is of a bitter- ish taste, being the fruit of a tree described in the seventh volume of the Hortus MalabaricuSy under the name of Naslatum, bearing leaves in the shape of a heart, and bunches of five-leaved white flowers, which are succeeded by their ber- ries. They grow in Malabar in the East Indies. They are seldom used in physic, being accounted to be of a hurtful and pernicious nature, but their principal use is for catching fishes: the famous Cardan's celebrated receipt for this purpose^ runs thus : take of the berries of the Oriental Co- TO CATCH FISHES. 83 I • ' ! ■ ■■ ■ ■ ■ .; cus, a quarter of an ounce ; of cumin and boiling water, each two ounces; of cheese, one ounce, and of meal three ounces ; after bruising them to- gether, form them into small balls. Others mix the berries Avith old cheese,- honey, and wheaten meal, of which they form small balls, to be thrown to fishes. Others for this purpose mix a variety of other substances with these berries ; but after all their pains there is no necessity for so trou- blesome an apparatus, since I have known by ex- perience, says Ray, that a simple ball of the pow- der of these intoxicating berries, made up with wheaten meal and water, is equally efficacious for stupifying, and at last killing, fishes ; for that fishes, as some assert, are by eating balls of this kind, only rendered vertiginous and stupid for a while, but soon return to their natural state, is not confirmed by experience ; for my own expe- rience, says Mr. Ray, quadrates with the opinion of those fishes spoken of by the learned Condron^ cihius who affirms that fishes are soon killecl by balls of this kind. But I do not know whether, as they assert, they soon become putrid, and fall into pieces, unless they are speedily taken out of the water. If, says Condonchius, any should ob- ject, that, upon taking these balls, the fishes swim up and down with uncommon haste and precipi-* tation, by which means their intoxication, or ver- tigo, is produced ; I answer that they do not ramble thus in consequence of their vertigo, but in consequence of the intolerable pain they feel from that unfriendly substance, just as other ani- mals do, especially men, when they are racked with any intense pain. I readily grant that by these balls fishes are rendered vertiginous, and a» it were intoxicated ; but at the same time, I at- ^ • ' ..■■■ — 84 best's art of angling. firm^ that they are soon after killed; for I am not much of opinion that they are rendered ver- tiginous^ and killed by the bitter and acrid, or by some hitherto unknown quality of these ber- ries. I will not, however^ take upon me to deter- mine, whether fishes killed in this manner may be safely eaten, but w^ith Condonchius I am of opinion, that no danger attends the use of them as an aliment, if they are gutted and boiled as soon as taken. That these berries are hot and by means cold, as all opiates certainly are, as also Matthiolus, and others maintain, notwithstand- ing their narcotic quality, is sufliciently obvious from their acrid and bitter taste, as also by the other effects produced by them^ as Condonchius has evidently demonstrated. This same author is of opinion, that these berries are by no means possessed of a poisonous and deletereous quaUty, and it is not by this, but by their bitterness and primary quahties, that fishes are killed ; but the contrary to me seems plain, from a story related by Arnatus. A certain schoolmaster asking for cubebs from an ignorant apothecary, received these berries in their stead. When the school- master had greedily devoured three or four of them, he was seized with a nausea, hiccough, and anxiety, which symptoms, together with the dan- ger they threatened, wcKe immediately removed by administering a vomit: the reasoning is weak, and more about words than facts, and may be equally said of opium ; the absurdity of which is evident to all who know the nature and operation of hypnotics. This description of the Oriental Cocus, I am iudebted to the late ingenious Dr. Cook for, but I must be«f leave to make some observations, which. TO CATCH FISHES. 85 seem to have escaped tlie Doctor, and the great authorities that he has quoted. 1. I know from actual experience, that there needs no other process for making these berries up, than that which I have set down ; as for the wheaten meal, which Mr. Kay mentions, it is to- tally useless, the plain berries pounded, and made into a paste by adding water, being a sufficient preparation. 2. It not only depends r.pon the size of the fishes, but upon the quantity of the paste which they pick up, which makes these berries kill the fishes, or only renders them vertiginous or intox- icated ; if you then take them out with a landing net, and put thera into a sufficient quantity of wa- ter, those will soon recover who have had only a small share of the paste, and may be eaten when well gutted and cleaned, with the greatest safety. 3. That these berries are of a deletereous na- ture, is sufficiently obvious by what has been said before. A porter brewer in London, some time ago forfeited a considerable sum for fining his li- quor with these berries. It is but necessary to know these secrets ; but I am sure no true lover of angling will ever make use of them. TO TAKE A PIKE AS HE LIES BASKING IN MARCH OR AUGUST. Take a long pole or rod, that is light and straight, and on the small end fasten a running loop of twisted horsehair and silk,, of a large com- pass ; which gently draw hwe or six inches over the gills, and then hoist him on shore as quick as possible. If it is a small one, draw it not on so far, and keep very silent; you may also take him 86 best's art of angling. with a hand net, by putting it under him very gently, and then taking him up as quick as you can. OINTMENTS TO ALLURE FISHES TO BITE. As many of my brother anglers may wish to try the efficacy of chemicals, towards increasifig their pastime, 1 here present them with a few receipts, and leave them to make their trials as they please. Take gum-ivy, and put a good deal of it into a box made of oak, and chafe and rub the inside of it with this gum. When you angle put three or four worms into it, but they must not remain there long, for if they do it will kill them ; then take them out and fish with them, putting more in their places as you want them out of your worm bag. Gum-ivy is a tear which drops from the body of large ivy trees, being wounded, and is of a yellowish red color, of a strong scent, and sharp taste; that which is sold in the shops is counterfeit, and good for nothing. Therefore, to get gum-ivy about Michaelmas, or in the spring, drive several great nails into large ivy-stalks, wrig- gle the same tjU they become very loose, and let them remain, and the gum will issue thereout. Also slit several great ivy-stalks, at the time above-mentioned, and visit them once a month, and gather the gum which flows from the wound- ed part. This w:ill very much improve the an- gler's success; Probatum est. Take assafcetida, three drachms, camphor, one ditto, Venice turpentine, one ditto, pound altoge- ther in a mortar, with some drops of the cheniical oil of lavender, or spike. When you angle^ anoint eight inches of your line with it^ next your hook. TO CATCH FISHES. 87 and it is excellent for trout in muddy water, and for gudgeons in clear. Probatum est, Assafetida grows in Media, Lybia, and Syria ; it is a gummy juice of Laser, Laserpitium, or Syl- phion, gathered from .the root or stalk when cut open ; chuse that which is pure, fine, and clammy, and smelHng almost like garlic. It will keep many years, but is often adulterated by mixing meal, bran, and the gum Segapenum together. Camphor is a resinous gum, partly flowing of its own accord, but chiefly by incision, from a tall tree growing in India : the Bornean Camphor is best. Chuse that which is white and clear like chrystal, strong scented, will easily crumble be- tween the fingers, and being set on fire is difficult to be extinguished. There is a fictitious sort which being put into a hot loaf will parch, but the true will melt: it will keep many years in flax-seed if it is not exposed to the air, other- wise it will evaporate and consume to nothing. Mr. Walton, in his Complete Angler, says, that if you dissolve gum-ivy in oil of spike, anoint your bait for a pike with it, that he will take it the sooner. I shall now give the reader the ne plus ultra of all these kinds of ointments, composed by Mons. Charrs, apothecary royal to Louis the Fourteenth. Take cat's fat, heron's fat, and the best assafeti- da, of each two drachms, mummy, finely powder- ed, diito, cummin seed, finely powdered, two scruples, and camphor, galbanum, and Venice turpentine, of each one drachm, and civet two grains. Make them, secundum artem, into a thin- nish ointment, with the chemical oils of lavender, aniseed, and camomile, and keep it in a narrow- mouthed, and well glazed gallipot,. covered with 88 best's art of angling. a bladder and leather, and it will keep two years. When you want to use it, put some into a small taper pewter box, and anoint your bait with it, and about eight or nine inches of the line, and when k is washed off^ repeat the unction. Proba- turn est, " All arts and shapes, the wily angler tries, ** To cloak his fraud, and tempt the finny prize : ' ** Their sight, their smell, he carefully explores, ** And blends the druggist's and ttie chemist's stores ; ** Devising still, with fancy ever new, " Pastes, oils, and unguents, of each scent and hue." HOJF TO MAKE FJSH-HOOKS. In order to make a good hook, there are requi- site a hammer, a knife, a pair of pincers, an iron semi-cleam, a file, a wrest, a bender, tongs, both long and short, an anvil, and steel needles of dif- ferent sizes. Heat a needle of the size you want^ in a charcoal fire, and raise the beard with your knife, then let it cool. Sharpen the point, either with a file or on a grindstone, then put it into the fire again and bend it into what shape you please ; make the upper part of the shank four square, and file the edges smooth, then put it into the fire a third time, and heat it gently ; take it out sudden- ly, and plunge it into water, and your operation is finished. Use not a small hook for great baits, nor a large one for small ones : — ^Barbels and chubs must have large ones, but perches, tenches, breams, and eels, much smaller. Trouts in clear waters, graylings, salmon-smelts, roach and dace, ruffs and gudgeons, must have small hooks : and, though many angle for trouts with large hooks in thick waters, yet small ones are the besk Experience will point GLUE FOR ANGLING-RODS, ETC. 89 out the inconvenience of large hooks^ — ^The noble salmon alone must have a large one. A GLUE FOR ANGLING-RODS, Pour some water on some quick lime, until the ebullition ceases, then pour the water I'rom it, and boil your glue very gently with this water, and it will make a very good glue. A RECEIPT THAT RENDERS LEATHER MORE CAPABLE TO KEEP OUT WET. As dry feet are very necessary to health, I have copied an excellent receipt for the angler's use, that will prevent his boots or shoes letting in wa- ter. Take a pint of linseed oil, with half a pound of mutton suet, six or eight ounces of bees wax, and a halfpenny worth of rosin ; boil all these in a pipkin toge^fc:>r, and then let it cool till it be lukewarm ; take a little hair brush, and lay it on {^our boots ; but it is much better to be laid on the eather before the boots are made, and brushed with it once over when they are ; as for your old boots or shoes, you must brush them with it when they are dry. As I am now acting the part of physician, let me advise you, whenever yOu are out in the heat of summer, fishing, and are thirsty, never to drink water, as the consequences arising from such an indiscretion may prove fa- tal ; but either take a little brandy or rum out with you, in a wicker bottle, or wait till you come to some hou^e where you can have a little ; the effects it has of quenching the thirst, and cooling the body are instantaneous. The angler being now furnished with every re.- I e 90 best's art of angling. quisite for the art of ground angling, his strictly adhering to the theory laid down, in his practice, is the only thing he has to do, and he may de- pend on his endeavours being crowned with suc- cess. The second part of this little essay will treat of artificial fly-fishing, under every head that can prove of utility to the angler ; which certainly bears the bell in that delightful recreation, that adds strength and vigour to the body, keeps the mind in a perfect state of serenity, and tranquilli- ty, and alleviates the cares and troubles attendant >on mortality. In short, how delightful is every species of this diversion, in such a paradise as the Poet describes: Behind, where alders from the weather screen, Before the lawn presents its lengthened scene : Close on that side trills soft th^ emptying brook, While this fresh woods and sloping hills overlook % Thick over head the rose and woodbine meet, Uniting shade to shade, and swvv i, > « .^ ;> The pea and blooming bean their odours yieiii,* And new-mown hay perfumes the fragrant field., To hear the nightingale delights the meads, And grashoppers chirp shrill amid the reeds; While from the pinfold, there, the bleating sheep, Cheer the still twilight, and divert from sleep ; The gale's perfume, the echo's mimic sound. The night-bird's song, and lowing kine around ; In hollow banks the hum of must'ring bees. And zephyrs whisp'rlng soft amid the trees. END OF THE FIRST PART. PART II. THE COMPLETE FiLY=FISI-IEE OR EVERY MAN HIS OWN FLY-MAKER. With pHant rod athwart the pebbled brook, Let me with judgment cast the feather'd book, Silent along the mazy margin stray, And with a fur-wrought fly delude the prey. To frame the little animal, provide All the gay hues that wait on female pride. Let Nature guide thee ; sometimes golden wire The shining bellies of the fly require ; The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail. Kach gaudy bird some slender tribute brings, And lends the growing insect proper wing? : Silks of all colours must their aid impart, And evety fur promote the nsher's art. Gay. 1 S THE COMPLETE FLY-FISHER, CHAP. I. Observations concerning ArtificiahFltj^Anglingy with proper Directions for the Angler'' s Rods^ Lines^ Sfc, THE art of artificial fly-fishing, certainly has the pre-eminence oTer the other various me- thods that are used to take fishes in the art of unghng. It requires a great deal of ingenuity and attention, and the variety, which attends it makes it one both pleasant and agreeable. The angler is not confined to any particular part of the water in fly-fishing, but roves from one place to another, trying his fortune, by throw- ing his flies into the different eddies, and the most likely places he meets with, to make a captive of the speckled trout: enjoying at the same time the harmonious warblings of the nu- merous songsters of the groves : beholding the diversity of the prospect spread around him, and gaining that health and serenity of mind, not to be purchased by all the riches in the universCf 94 best's art of angling. The imitations of nature, in regard to the flies ne- cessary for use suiting the different colours so ex- actly as to resemble the natural fly ; and observ- ing the greatest nicety in regard to its symmetry, contribute to make it still more delightful. Whenever he makes a fly, let him have the natural one always before him, which will enable him to be a competent judge of the materials most necessary to dub it with; a list of which, and of the best way to make the Palmer and May-fly, (which are the ground of artificial fly-angling, I shall give him by and by) ; for if he is not able to make his own flies, he never will be a good fly- fisher, nor experience that pleasure, which he will receive by taking fishes with one of his own making. He must never think a fly ill made be- cause it will not kill fishes as well in any other river as that he particularly angles in ; because the same flies differ very much both in colour and size in different counties; besides which, flies that will be taken on their peculiar water one year in April, will perhaps not be taken in the next till the middle of May, the whole depend- ing on the warmth or coldness of the season. — Mr. Taylor in his treatise, where he describes the superiority of fly-fishing to the other branches of angling, with great humour observes, that the angler is surprised, at the manner in which the fish take the flies ; and by seeing their surprise, when they find they are hooked, by rising at the fli^s ! I shall proceed to give the angler a descrip* tion of the rods and lines best calculated for artificial fly-fishing ; but before I do, shall make this one observation : that theory, without prac- tice, can never make a man a proficient. ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING, ETC. 95 RODS AND USES PROPER FOR ARTIFICIAL FLY^ FISHJNGy ETC. As for your artificial fly-rod, the directions given in the first part of this treatise are sufficient, only be careful tnat the materials which it is com- posed of are well seasoned, and free from knots, and that the whole is exactly perfect in regard to symmetry. The length of the fly-rod is generally from about fourteen to seventeen feet long ; which is long enough for any one who understands fly-fish- ing to throw twelve yards of line, with one hand, and seventeen with both. To make a fly rod, that will be exceedingly neat and pleasant in hand, you must observe the following method : Procure a nice breadth of ash plank, free from knots, perfectly sound, and about seven feet long ; let it be turned in the lath so as to run taper frotti the but-end, which should be so thick and no more than you can w ith ease grasp in your hand ; theil have it feruled, or bind it to a piece of hazel seven feet long, and in exact taper proportion to the ash. As you may not be able to get a piece of hazel so long, that will run perfectly taper, it may consist of two or three pieces ; then add to the hazel a nice piece of yew (in the same propor- tion to the hazel as that is to the ash) two feet long, made round, taper, and smooth, and to that piece a bit of small round, and taper whale-bone, six inches long ; then the rod will be completed ; and if just symmetry is observed through the whole, it will be a most excellent one. Some use deal for making the bottom of the 96 best's art of angling. rod, because they say it is more light ; but I in answer to that aver, that it is not half so strong and lasting, and that the ash, on account of its strength, may be turned in the lath, or planed down to be every jot as light as the deal, and that the angler, when he has hooked a good fish, need never fear it snapping short, as deal will, because it is the nature of the wood to bend almost dou- ble, and will always, if well seasoned, return to its former straightness. Let your rod, thus made, be ringed for the line to pass through, with small brass rings, about a foot distant from es^ch other, and at the but-end let there be a spike made to screw in, which you will find very convenient ; and you may, if you like to alter the colour of your joint (though it does not signify so much in ash as in deal, whose whiteness would scare the fish) first warm it before the fire, and then dip a feather in aquafortis, put it on the ash, and then chafe it with your hand, and it will make it a cinnamon, or ratlier a puce, or flea colour. Your fly-line should be about thirty yards long, and wound on a small brass multiplying winch, which is to be placed on the but of your rod ; then you must run the line through the rings before- mentioned, and you may always command the length without the trouble of changing tlie line, and shorten it when you come to places encum- bered with wood. The general length that you should have off your reel must be about four yards longer than your rod, nay, sometimes the line must be t^yice the length of the rod ; for to fish fine and far ofJ*is the standing rule for trout fishing. But it will be a long time before you are able to throw a dib-line with nicety at the general length, yet as you can always lengthen or shorten it by ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING, ETC. 97 means of the winch, you may, if you are expert, and are a true lover of angling, after some trials accomplish it. Never encumber yourself with too much line at first, but increase the length of it as you find you make improvement; and as it is ten to one, that you lose a fly every time you cast your line, until you are arrived at some degree of perfection in doing it, it will not be amiss to prac- tise sometimes without one. But let me return to the subject : your line should run taper from the top of the rod down to the fly, that is^ if the fiist link is composed of thirty-five hairs the next must be of thirty-four ; so leaving out one hair in each link, till the whole is completed ; then comes the silk-worm gut, on which you should whip all your hooks. But the best lines for artificial fly-angling are those that are wove, and are all one piece, and are to be bought at any of the shops in London, ^where fishing-tackle is^ sold, and run taper like the lash of a coach-whip, and may be had at any length ; as from thirty to forty yards, &c. These are the only lines that can be used on a winch; because they have no knots to prevent them running glibly through the rings of the rod. By the line being made taper, you will be able to throw it into any place you like with a greater exactness, and it will fall much lighter on the water, which will very much increase your sport. The reader now being informed of the rod and lines best calculated for artificial fly-fishing, I shall in the next chapter give him a list of the inate- rials he must be in possession of before he at- tempts to make flies, and afterwards give him Mie best instructions for making them. 98 best's art of angling. CHAP. II. ji List of the Materials necessary for an Angler to have^ and the best Method to make the Palmer and Majj Fly* Boa's DOW%^y COMBED from the roots of the bristles of black, red^ whitish, and sandy-coloured hogs ; the white down you may have dyed to any color you like. It is excellent dubbing, because it will stand the water and shines well. To be a com- petent judge of the real colour of any dubbing, you must hold it between the sun and your eyes. This is a standing rule when you imitate a fly. camel's UAin^ Of a dark and light colour, and one in thfi raediunxof both. MAHGER^S HAIRj The brown soft fur which is on the skin, and the blackest. beau's HAJRy Grey, dun, light and dark coloured, bright "brown, and shining brown. colt's or calf's hair. 9f> spaniel's HAIHy From the different parts of a spa^niel^ efcpeci- ally from beliintl the ear, brown, dark biowr light brown, and black. snEEP^s jrooLy Of all colours, both natural and artificial ; you may have it dyed to any colour. SEAL*S FtfRy To be had at the trunk-makers ; get it 6^Qd from the lightest to tlui darkest browu, and yon will find it much better dubbing than cow or calTs hair. ' MOHAinSy Of all colours, black, blue, p«rple, white, vio- let, yellow, and tuwney, philoujot from ftuilk rnorte, a dead leaf; and Isabella, which i» a whi- tish yellow, or soiled buff colour, COW'^S tlAJHy The softest you can get from a black, brindled, and red cow ; aud of these colours, have brown, dark brown, light brown, and black. coLT-s on calf's hair. These afford very good dubbing, and a variety specially those hides that have been tewed, o K J 00 best's art of angling. dressed in a skinner's lime-pit ; but, as I said be- fore, seal's fur dyed is much better than either cow's or either of the hairs of these two ; because 2t is not so harsh, and does not require so much trouble to work it on the hook ; and observe fur- ther, that this fur is for small flies, and hog's down for large ones. CJMLElSj Both hair and worsted of all colours^ blue, yel- low, dun, brown, dark brown, light brown, red, violet, purple, black, horvSe-flesh, pink, and orange. FURS^ Off the squirrel,^ especially his tail ; a hare, the part off the neck which is a withered fern colour; fox-cub froih the tail where it is downy and of an ash colour; ati old fox, and old otter, otter-club, futimart, or filmert ; a mole, a black cat's tail ; a house-mouse, and water-rat; a marten, particu- litrly from off the gills, or spots under the jaws, which is of a fine yellow. These are all to be had at the furriers. HACKLES. These are the feathers that hang from the head of a cock, down his neck, and likewise near his tail, they are particularly used in making the pal- mer fly ; get the following colours of them, viz. red, dun, yellowish, white, orange, and black; let r,ot the fibres of them be above half an inch long. Whenever you meet with a cock, whose hackle is SlUiS, ETC. 101 of a strong brown red, buy him, and make the most of the hackles. Note, the feathers of a ban- tam or cock chick, are good for nothing. FEATHERS. To make the wings of artificial flies, 8cc. it is necessary to be provided witli all kinds of feathers, procure therefore those from the back, and other parts of the wild mallard or drake ; of a partridge, particularly the red ones iif the tail ; those of a t'ock-pheasant's breast and tail ; also the wings of a stare or starling, jay, land-rail, black-bird, throstle, fieldfare, water-coot, and a brown hen ; likewise the top, or cop, of a pevit, plover, or lap-wing, peacock's herl, green, copper-coloured, and white, also black ostrich's herl, and feathers from the neck and wings of a heron. Observe,, that in many instances hereafter that you will meet with, where the mallard's feather is set down for the wings of an artificial fly, that the starling will be preferable, because it is of a finer grain, and will not imbibe the water so much. CATtPETS AND BLANKETS. There is very good dubbing to be got from blankets, also from an old Turkey carpet ; un- twist the yarn, and pick out the wool, then sepa- rate the colours, wrap them up in different papers, and lay them by. StLKSy ETL\ Of all colours, straw silk, gold and silver flat • K C 102 ted wire, or twist ; hooks in small chip boxes, with the number of the size of each marked on the outside : wax of all colours, and needles ; a sharp pen-knife, and a small sharp pair of scis- sars, made quite angular, with large bows for the fingers. N. B. When you make t]>e palmer-flj, suit the colour of the silk to the hackle you dub with ; a dun hackle requires yellow silk ; a black hackle, •sky-blue silk ; a brown, or red hackle, red silk ; when you make flies that are not palmers, dub with silk that resemble* the colour most predo- minant in the fly ; and in making your flies, re- member to mix bear*s hair and hog's down, with your other dubbing, because they repel the wa- ter; make your flies always in hot sun-shiny weather, for your waxed silk will then draw kindly; and when you take the dubbing to imi- tate a fly, always wet it, and then you will be perfect in your imitation ; for although the dub- bing when dry may suit, yet when it is wet it ma}^ be quite another colour. Miurten's fur is the best yellow you can us.e. JfOW TO MAKE THE PALMER AND MAY-FLY* First lay all the materials by the side of yon, viz. half a yard ot" fine round even silk worm-gut: halt' a yard of red silk, well waxed with wax of the same colour : a hook, tlie size No. 6 : -a nee- dle : some strands of an ostrich's feather, and a fine red hackle : then take the hook, and hold it by the bend, between the fore-finger and thumb of your left hand, with the sbank to- wards your right hand, and with the point an^ beanl of your book not under your fingers, but PALMER AND MAY FLY. 103 nearly parallel with the tops of them : after- wards take the silk^ and hold it likewise about the middle of it, with your hook, one part laying along the inside of it to your left hand, the other to the right ; then take that part of the silk which lies towards your right hand, between the fore- finger and thumb of that hand, and holding that part towards your left, tight alcJnp: the inside of the hook, whip that to t\\e right, three or four times round the shank of the hook towards the^ right hand ; after which take the silk zvorm-giit, and lay either of its ends along the inside of the shank of the hook, till it comes near the bend of it : then hold the hook, silk, and gnt tight between the fore-finger and thumb of your left hand, utid afterwards give that part of the f:ilk to your right hand, three or four whips more over both hoO' and gut till it comes near the end of the shank, and make a loop and fasten it tight: then whip It neatly again over both silk, gut, and hook, till it comes near the bend of the hook : after which make another loop, and fasten it again : then, if the gut should reach farther than the bend oi the hook, cut it ofi', and your hook will be whipped on and the parts of thesiik hang from the bend of it. Having proceeded so far, wax the longest end of the silk again, and take three or four strands of an ostrich's feather, and holding them and the hook, as in the first position, the feathers 1o the left hand, and the roots of them in the bend of the hook, witii the silk that you waxed last, whip them tliree or four times round, make a loop, and liisten tiieiii tight; then turning the strands to the fight hand^ and twisting them and the silk together^ with the fore-finger and thumb ol' your nght hand, wind them round the shank of the hook till you conie to K 3 101 best's art of angling. the place where you first fastened, then make a loop and fasten them again ; if the strands should not be 'long enough to wind as far as is necessary round the shank, when the silk gets bare you must twist others on it. Having performed this, take your scissars and cut the body of the palmer into an oval form, that is, small at the bend and the end of the shank, but full in the centre ; do not cut too much of the dubbing off. Now both the ends of the silk are separated, one at the bend, another at the end of the shank, wax them both again ; then take the hackle, hold the small end of it be- tween the fore-finger and thumb of your left hand, and stroke the fibres of it with those of your right the contrary way from which they are formed ; hold your hook as in the first position, and place the point of the hackle in its bend, with that side which grows nearest the cock upwards, and then whip it tight to the hook ; but in fastening it, tie as few fibres as you can possibly avoid : the hac- kle being fast, take it by the great end, and keep- ing the side nearest the cock to the left hand, begin with your right hand to wind it up the shank upon the dubbing, stopping every second turn, and holding what you have wound tight with your left fingers^ whilst with the needle you pick out the fibres you will unavoidably take in ; proceed in this manner till you come to the place where you first fastened, and where an end of the silk is : then clip oflT chose fibres of the hackle v/hrch yon held between your finger and thumb, close to the stem, and hold the stem close to the hook ; afterwards take the silk in your right hand^ and whip the stem very fast to the hook: then jnake a loop, and fasten it tight : take your pen- knife, and if that part of the stem next the shank GOLDtN PALMER, OR HACKLE. 105 of the hook is as long as a part of the hook which is bare, pare it fine, wax you silk, and bind it neatly on the remaining bare part of the hook : then fasten the silk tight, and spread some shoe- maker's wax very lightly on your last binding : after that clip off the ends of the remaining silk, both at the snank and bend of the hook, and all fibres that start or stand ill-conditioned, and the ^fhole is completed. Tiiis is called the palmer-jiif or plain hackhy and may, instead of the ostrich's feather above- mentioned, be dubbed with black spaniel's fur, and is a very excellent killer. There are three more palmers, which are all Xd be made in the same m.anner as I have laid down, only with dif- ferent articles, which are a^ follow : GREAT PALMER^ OR HACKLE, Dubbed the same as tlie plain hackle with the strands oft^ an ostrich's feather, or a black spa- nkers fur, and warped with red peacock's hackle, un trimmed, that is, leaving the whole length of the hackle staring out (for sometimes the fibres of the hackle are to be shortened all over, sometimes barbed only a little, and sometimes close under- neath) leaving the whole length of fibres on the top, or back of the fly, which makes it swim bet- ter, and, on a whirling ground water, kills great fish. Your hook for thh palmer , No. 5, GOLDES PALMER^ OR JIACKLIu* The same dubbing, ribbed with gold twist; and a red hackle over all. -K)G best's arx of angling. SILVER BACKLE, Made with a black body also, silver twist over that, and a red hackle over all. The variation that is to be observed in making the gold and silver palmer is this, that when you whip tl>e end of the hackle to the bend of the hook, you must also do the same to the gold or silver izmst, and first wind either of them on the dubbing, observing that they lie flat on it, and then fasten off; afterwards proceed with the hac- kle as directed : or you may wind the hackle on the dubbing first, and rib the body with either of the twists afterwards. These are the standard hackles in fly-fishing, and are taken any month in the year, from nine to eleven in the morning, and from one to three in the evening, and upon any water ; though you must have different sizes of them, and dubbed with different colours, that you may always be able to suit either a clear or a dark water, or a bright and cloudy atmosphere; observing, that small light-coloured flies are for clear waters and skies, and the largest for dark and cloudy ones. These palmers (a^ I said before) being taken every month in the year, when I come to treat of the flies proper for each month, I shall not take any notice again of the four which I have set down, for that would be totally unnecessary ; but the others which deviate in their size and dubbing from the general rule, will be fully expressed. The angler should always try the palmers first, when he fishes in a river that he is unaccustomed to ; and even in that which he constantly uses^ without he knows what fly is on the water, and ARTIFICIAL FLY. 107 they should never be changed till he does ; the only way to come to the true knowledge of which, he must observe an old-established rule laid down for that purpose ; and as it is poetically described by Mr. Gay, I shall give it him in that dress. Mark well the Various seasons of the year, How the succeeding insect race appear ; In this revolving moon one colour reigns, which in the next the fickle trout disdains. Oft have I seen a skilful angler try The various colours of the treacherous fly ; When he with fruitless pain hath skimm'd the brook, And the coy fish rejects the skipping hook, He shakes the boughs, that on the margin grow, Which o'er the stream a waving forest throw ; When if an insect fall (his certain guide) He gently takes him from the whirling tide : Examines well his form with curioui eyes, His gaudy vest, his wings, his horns, and size; Then round his hook the chosen fur he winds, And on the back a speckled feather binds ; So just the colours shine through every |>art« That Nature seems to live again iu art. 7 HE BEST METHOD TO MAKE AS ARTIFICIAL FLY yOT A PALMER. Fij?st hold your hook fast betwixt the fore- finger and thumb of jour left hand, with the back of the shank upwards, and the point to- wards your right hand ; then take a strong small silk, of the colour most predominant in the fly you intend to make, wax it well with the wax of the same colour, and draw it between your fin- ger and thumb to the head of the shank, then whip it twice or thrice about the bare hook, which prevent its slipping, and the shank of the hook iVom cutting the gut : which being done, take iur gut and draw it likewise between your fin- 108 best's art of angling. ger and thumbs holding the hook so fast as only to suifer it to pass by^ till the end of the gut is near the middle of the shank of the hook, on the inside of it; then whip the silk twice or thrice about both gut and hook, as hard as the strength of the silk will permit ; after that take the wings^ which before you began to make your fly you had stripped off the stem for its wings, and proporti- onal to it, and which lie with your other materials by you, (as they always should before you begin) and place that side downwards which grew upper- most before^ upon the back of the hook, leaving so much only, to serve for the length of the wings of the point of the plume, laying it reversed from the end of the shank upwards ; then whip your silk twice or thrice about the root-end of the fea- ther, gut, and hook ; which being done, clip off the root-end of the feather close by the arming, and then whip the silk fast and firm about the hook and gut till you come to the bend of it ; and then, if the gut goes beyond the bend of the hook, cut it off and make all fast : take then the dub- bing which is to make the body of your fly, as much as you think will do, and holding it lightly with your hook, between the finger and thumb of your left hand, take the silk with the right, and twisting it between the finger and thumb of that hand, the dubbing will spin itself about the silk, which, when it has done, whip it about the armed hook, till you come to the setting on of the wings : afterwards take the feather for the wings, divide it into two equal parts, and turn them back to- wards the bend of the hook, the one on the one side, the other on the other side of the shank, hold- ing them fast in that posture, between the fore- finger and thumb of your left hand ; which being ARTIFICIAL FLY. 109 done, warp them so down as to standi and slope towards the bend of the hook ; and having war{>- ed up to the end of the shank, hold the fly fast between the finger and thumb of your left hand, and then take the silk between those of your right, and where the warping ends, pinch or nip it with your thumb-nail against your finger, and strip away the remainder of your dubbing from the silk, which wax again, and then with the silk which is newly waxed and bare, whip it once or twice about, make the wings stand properly, then fasten and cut it oft': after which, with the point of a needle, raise up tlie dubbing gently from the warp, twitch off* tti€ superfluous hairs of your dubbing, leave the wings of an equal length, (or your fly will ne-^ ver swim true) and the whole is completed. In this manner you are to make the Maif-ftij, or green drake, and all other flies that are not palmers ; the materials to make the green drake are the following : your hook must be No. .5, and you must have the white-grey feather of a mal- lard for the wings, dyed yellow ; the dubbing ca- mel's hair, bright bear's hair, yellow camlet, and the soft down that is combed from the bristles of a hog, well mixed together, the body must be long, and ribbed about with green silk, or rather yellow, waxed with green wax, and three long hairs for his tail, from tliose off* a sable's. Ox, the May-Jlj/ may be dubbed after this me- thod. The body of seal's fur, or yellow moliair, a little fox-cub down, and hog's down, or Hght brown from a turkey carpet, mixed together, warp with green and yellow, pale yellow, or r.ed dock's hackle under the wings, which are to be the same as in the other method of dubbing it. As I shall not mention the green-drake when I 110 best's art of angling. come to describe the other flies taken in the month of May, I will here give you every particular con- cerning it. He comes on the water the twentieth oF that month, and is taken all day long, but bei«t from two to four in the evenings and kills most fish from the end of May to the ninth of June. HOIF TO DYE THE MALLARD'S FEATHER YELLOW. Take the root of a Barbary tree, and shave it, and put to it woodj/ viss, with as much allum as a walnut, and boil your feathers in it with rain wa- ter, and they will be of a fine yellow ; or get a lit- tle zceld and recou, and boil your feathers with them, and it will answer the same purpose. CHAP. HL The Names and the best Manner af dubbing the diff^ event artificial Flies^ which are generally known y and will kill Fishes on any Water ^ from the l?e- ginning of March to the End of September, I SHALL begin fly-fishing with the month of March, that being soon enough to throw a fly on the water; nay, in some years is too soon, owing to the backwardness of the sea- son. The inclemency of the weather, before that time, renders the attempt not only un- pleasant, but fruitless, to endeavour to take fishes with the fly ; and the risk a man runs of im- pairing his health, before the weather is mild aiid temperate, forms an objection more strongly THE PALM£RS« 111 against it. Let an angler be ever so fond of fly- fishing, he will certainly have enough, perhaps a satiety, between the months of March and Sep- tember ; besides the mind of man is fond of vari- ety, and there are amusements of the field very pleasant and conducive to health ; for I myself am entirely of Terence's opinion that Ad prime in vita esse utile , ut nequid nimis. MARCH. THE PALMERS, 1. The Dark Brown, ^. The Great Whirling Dun, 3. The 'Early Bright Browfu 4, The Thorn^ or Hazo^ thorn Tree-Fly, 5. The Blue Dun, 6. The Little Black Gnat. 7, The late bright Brozsn, '^G' 1. Dubbed with the brown hair off the shank of a brindled cow, and the grey feather of a drake for wings. 2. Dubbed with the fur from the bottom of a squirrel's tail, and the wings off the grey feather of a drake. Or, dubbed with squirrel's fur, mixed with about a sixth part of fine hog's down, the wings of a pale orange colour, taken from the quill feather off a ruddy hen, the head to be fastened with ash-coloured silk, and a red un- barbed cock's hackle mny be warped under the wings, and a turn or two lower towards his tail. This is a very killing Jiy, and is taken best late in the evening of a blustering warm day, o. Dubbed with the brown hair off a spaniel, taken from behind the ear, or with that off a red L 112 best's art of angling. cow's flank ; the wings^ the grey feather off a wild drake. 4. Dubbed with seal's fur, dyed a perfect black, mixed with a little Isabella-coloured mohair, the body made small, and the wings off a bright mal- lard's feather. A killing Jl?/. 5. Dubbed with the down combed from the neck of a black greyhound, or the roots of a foxr cub's-tail, mixed with a little blue voilet worsted, upon a hook, the size No. 9 the wings off the pale part of a starling's feather. Thisjiy is a kil- ling Jly, and is taken from eight to devtn, and from one to three, 6 Dubbed with black mohair, upon a hook the size No. 9, and the wings the lightest part off a starling's feather. 7. Dubbed with the hair off a cow, or calfs hide, which has been drest in a skinner^s lime- pit ; if you hold it between your eyes and the sun, it will appear of a bright gold, or amber colour ; the wings off a feather of a brown hen. APRIL. PALMERS. 1. The Dark Brovon, •2. The Voilet Fty. 'i' The JjUle iVhirling Dun, 4. The Yellow Dun. 5. The Horse-fiesh Fl^^ 6. The Small Bright BrowTi, 1 . Dubbed oa a small hook. No. 8 or 9^ with brown seal's fiu", or with brown spaniel's fur, that looks ruddy, by being exposed to the weather, mixed with a little violet camlet; warp with yel- THE PALMERS. 1 1 S low silk, aud the wings off the grey feather of a mallard. Kills best from eight to eleven, 2. Dubhed with dark violet stuff, and a little dun bear's hair mixed with it ; the wings off the grey feather of a malhud. Kilk very zcell from the sixth to the tenth of this month, 3. Dubbed with fox-cub down, nsli-colowred at the roots^ next the skin; ribbed about with yel- low silk, the wings off a pale grey feather of a mallard. Or^ dubbed with the same down, and a little ruddy brown mixed, warped with grey, or ruddy silk, a red hackle under the wincrs, which must be made from the feather of a land-rail, or ruddy brown chicken, which is better. Thisfy comes on the renter the tzvelflh of this month, arid is taken in the middle of the day, all the monih through, and in blustering weather to the end of June. 4. Dubbed with camel's hair, and marten's yrl low fur, mixed together; or with a small quantity of pale yellow cruel, mixed with fox-cub down from the tail, warped with yellow silk ; and the wings off a pale starling's feather. Thisflij is taken J^rom eight to eleven ^ and from tzoo to four, 5. Dubbed with blue mohair, and with pinJ^ and red colour tammy, mixed, a browa head and light-coloured wings. This fly is taken all the month tzoo hours before sun-set till twilight, 6. Dubbed with spaniel's fur, the wings tli^ lightest part off a stare's feather. Taken very zcell in a bright day and clear Kater, 114 best's art of angling. MAY. PALMERS* The May-fly. 1. The Dun Cut. 2. The Stone^Jly. S. The Black May^Jiy. 4. Little Yellozo May-Jiy 5. The Grey Drake. 6. The Camlet "Jly. 7. The Cow^dung^Fly^ 1, Dubbed with bear's hair of a brownish co- lour, with a little blue and yellow mixed with it ; the wings off a brown hen, and two horns at the head from the hairs off a squirrel's tail. Or, dub- bed with bearVcub fur, a little yellow and green cruel mixed with it, warped with yellow or green; wings off a land-rail. A great killer in the evening of a showery day, 2. Dubbed with dun beards hair, mixed with a little brown and yellow camlet, so placed that the jBy may be more yellow on the belly, and towards the tail, than any where else ; place two or three hairs off a black cat's beard on the top of the hook in the arming it, in such a manner that they may be turned up when you warp on the dub- bing and stand almost upright, and start one from the other ; rib the body with yellow silk, and make the wings very large off the dark grey fea- thers of a mallard. The hook No. 3. This a very great killer, and comes on the water about the middle of April, and continues till the end of June ; it is generally used in szoi^'t streams, hut f there is a good wind stirring it will be taken in the deeps ; it is taken but indifferently in the middle of the day, hnt excellently late and early. DUN CUT, ETC. 115 3. Dubbed with the strands oft a black ostrich's feather, ribbed with silver twist, and a bla< ' cock's hackle over all. A good killer, but fwt to be compared with /.' Green Drake, or Stofiejiy. 4. Dubbed with yellow camlet, or , v..v, v i ; .. #ten's fur^ the wings of a mallard's feather dyed yellow. This fly is to be made very small, 1> exactly in the shape of the green drake. 5. Dubbed with whitish hog's down, nii.\ed with black spaniel's fur, ribbed with black silk : black cat's beard for the whisks of tiie tail, aiiH the wings oft' the black grey feather of a nial];ii(]. Or, dubbed with white ostrich's feather, the cikI of the body towards the tail, oft' peacock's lierl ; warping of ash-colour, with silver twist and black hackle, and the wings a dark grey i'eather of mallard. A very killing fi if, especial bj tuzcards en ci..;,' ingyzehtn the fishes are glutted zcith th^ Gri< Drake. 6. Dubbed with dark Ixown shining cimiict. ribbed over with very small ii:reen silk, and th( ini>:s off* the double 18. Little Ant Fly. 19. Badger Fly. 20. Fern Fly. 21. Stone Fly* N. B. There are two salmon flies^ which are the principal ones, called the Dragon and King's Fisher, about two inches long, which may be made according to fancy ; but of the most gaudy feathers there are, especially the peacock's, for they will rise at any thing gaudy, and where there are plenty, at trout flies. There are likewise two moths which I have omitted, great killers about twilight in a serene evening ; and the humble-bee, a famous chub-kil- ler, any time of the day. They are dubbed in the following manner : The brown moth : — the wings off the feather of a brown owl ; dubbed with light mohair, with a dark grizzle cock's hackle for the legs ; and a red head. The white moth : — dubbed with the white strands of an ostrich's feather ; wings off the fea* RED FLY, HTC. 121 ther of a white pigeon's wing ; a white hackle for the legs, and a black head. The hooks for both, No. 2. The humble-bee : — dubbed with black spanicF^ fur ; a black cock's hackle over that ; the tag of the tail to be of a deep orange colour; and the wings off the feather of a crow's wine;. The hook. No. C. CHAP. IV. THE list of flies which I have given the ar gler, he may depend are the standard fo artificial fly-fishing ; but as I am willing to giv him as much scope as possible, to enable him to become an adept in this pleasant and ingenious recreation, I here present him with a second list, which he must make use of as his experience in artificial fly-fishing increases : and I dare aflSrm, that if he makes a judicious application of this and the former list, and observes the rules laid down for the weather, proper for this sport, he will never go home with an empty pannier. TUE RED FLY. Comes on about the middle of February, and continues till the end of March : its wings aro made artificially, of a dark drake's feather ; the body of the red part of squirrel's fur, with the red hackle of a cock, wrapped twice or tljrice under the butt of the wing ; has four wings, and gene- rally flutters upon the surface of the water, which 122 best's art of ajjjgling. tempts the fishes, and makes them take it the more eBger. The size of the hook. No. 6. THE BLUE DUN FLY. Comes on the beginning of March, and conti- nues till the middle of April ; its wings are made of a feather out of the starling's wing, or the blue feathers that grow under the wing of a duck wid- geon ; the body is made of the blue fur off a fox, or the blue part of a squirrel's fur, mixed with a little yellow mohair, and a fine blue cock's hackle wrapped over the body, in imitation of the legs : as it swims down the water, its wings stand up- right on its back ; its tail forked, and of the same colour of its wings. It appears on the water about ten o'clock in the forenoon, and continues till about three in the afternoon ; but the princi- pal time of the day is from twelve till two, the flies then come down in great quantities, and are al- ways more plentiful in dark, cold, gloomy days, than in bright sun-shiny weather. Your morn- ing's fishing, till the fiies comt on, should be zeith the Z0orm or minnoxi) ; the size of the hook this fly is made on, is No, 7 ; but if the z^ater is very lozo and fine. No. 8. THE BROWN FLY^ OR DUN DRAKE. Comes on about the middle of March, and con- tinues till the latter end of April ; its wings are made off the feather of a pheasant's wing, which is full of fine shade, and exactly resembles the wing of the fly ; the body is made of the bright part of hare's fur, mixed with a little of the red part of squirrel's fur, ribbed with yellow silk, and a partridge's hackle wrapt over twice Qr thrice THE GRANAM FLY, &C. 123 under the but of the wing : as it swims down the water, its wings stand upright upon its back, its tail is forked and the colour of its wings: it comes upon the water about eleven o'clock, and continues on till two, appearing on the water in shoals, or great quantities ; in dark gloomy days^ at the approach of the least gleam of sun, it is amazing to see, in a moment's time, the surface of the water almost covered with ton thousand of these pretty little flying insects, and the fishes rising and sporting at them, insomuch that you would think tlie whole river was alive ; it is a pleasing sight to the angler, and affords him great diversion. In rhis manner they appear on the water every successive day, till the end of their duration. The blue dun and the brown are both on at the same time ; the blues are most plentiful in cold and dark days, and the browns in warm and gloomy days; though I have often seen blues, browns, and granams on at the same time, when they have refused the other two sorts, and have taken the browns only. There cannot be too much said in commendation of this fly , both for its duration and the sport it aff'ords tlie angler* The size of the hook it is made on is No. 6. THE GRANAM, OR GREEN-TAIL, Comes on about the beginning of April, if the weather is warm, being a very tender fly, and cannot endure the cold. When they first appear on the water, they do so in great quantities, in bright mornings : you may begin to fish with them from six o'clock in the morning till eleven ; then you will find the browns come on, which you must use, as the fish will not touch the gra- M 124 best's art of angling. " ■ ■ ■ ■ «-' '■■' •■■ • _ ' ■ -. ■ ' -^ n^ms as long as the browns continue: about five o'clock in the evening you may use the granams again with success, the browns having then to- tally disappeared for that day. The granam-fly is a four-winojed fly : as it swims down the \va« ter its wings lie flat on its back ; it has a small bunch of eggs, of a green colour, which gives it the name of the Greentail fly : as soon as it lights on the water, it drops its eggs ; it is of short duration, not lasting above a week, and then totally disappears for that year. The wings are made from a feather out of the w ing of a par- tridge or pheasant, which is shaded like the wing of the fly ; the body is made of the fur from a hare's face, or ear, and a grizzled hackle of a cock wrapt under the but of the wings. The hook No. 8. THE SPIDER FLY -Comes on about the twentieth of April, if the \weather is warm, and continues on about a fort- iiigijL : they are bred in beds of gravel by the v:ater s cie, where you mav find them in bunches entrendcring, to prepare for their production the next \ ear: in cold and stormy days they hide themselves in the gravel, not being able to endure cold. You mav hsh with h from sun nse till sun set: being a very k.ll ng fly, too much cannot be said in its praise. The wings are made from a woodcock's feat*ier, out of the but of the wing; the body of lead-coloured silk, with a black cock's liackle \Arapt twice or thrice under the wings. 1 his fly cannot be made too fine. The hook, No. 8 or 9. THE LITTLE IRON-BLUE FLY. 125 THE BLACK CATERPILLAR Comes on about the beginning of May, and continues on about a iortnigiit, and is to be fished ^vith after hot sun-sliin}' mornings \ if winds and clouds appear, they then grow weak for want of the sun, ana fall upon the waters in great quan- tities. The wings are made from a feather out of a jav's wing, the body of an ostrich's fea- ther, which is preferable to the plover's, and fine black cock's hackle wrapt over the body. It is a very killing Hy in small brooks. The hook, No. 7. TUE LITTLE JRON-BLUE FLY Comes on about the seventh of Mjlv, and con- tinues on till the middle of June. J !i cold stormy days they come down the waters in great qnan- titiesj hm in warm- d.ivs there are but few lo be seen. As it svvims down the water, its wings stand upright on its back ; its tail is forked, and the colour of its wings: it is a r.eit curious Hv, and cannot be made too tine; it is to be (i^hjd with from about eleven o'clock in the forenoon till three in the afternoon. When the^e flies are on, the fishes refuse every other sort, and take these only, every sort of tish being fond of them. The wrings are m-de from a cormorant's feather that grows under the wing, or off the feather of a dark-blue hen, that grows on the body, under the wings ; the body is made of water-rat's fur, ribbed with yellow silk, and a sootv blue hackle of a cock wrapt over the body. The hook, No 8 or 9. M 2 126 best's akt of angling. THE YELLOW SALLY FLY Goraes on about the twentieth of May, and continues on till about the tenth or twelfth of June. It is a four-winjed fly ; as it swims down the water its wings lie flat on its hack. The ivings are made with a yellow cock's hackle, and the hody of marten's fur, taken from the spots under ttie jaws, which is a fine yellow. It is one of those iiies that prepares the fish to look for the Muy'%, or Green-drake. The hook, No. ?. TUB OAK, ASH, WOODCOCK, CANNON, OR DOWNHILL FLY, Comes on about the sixteenth of May, and continues on till about a week in June ; it is to be found on the buts of trees, with its head al- ways downwards^ which gives it the name of the Downhill fly. It is bred in oak-apples, and is the best of all flies for bobbing at the bush in the natural way, and a good fly for the dab-line, when made artificially. The wings are made from a feather out of the wing of a partridge or woodcock, tlie body \yith a bittern's feather, and the head with a litile of the brown part of hare's fur. The hook. No. 7. N. B. Some dub it with black woo] and Ta* bclla-coloured mohair, and bright brownish bear's hair, warped on with yellow silk, but the head of an ash colour ; otliers dub it with an orange-tawney and bhick ground, and others with blackish wool and gold twist ; the wings oif ^he brown part of a mallard's feather. THE ORL FLY. 1*27 THE SHORN FLY Comes on about the same time as the Cannon fly, and continues on till the hitter end of July. They are generally found in mowing grass ; it is of the caterpiHar kind, has dus!;y wings of a dark brown colour, with fine clear bhie wi'ngs under them, wh ch it makes use of in its flight : it is in greatest perfection in June; and, for the time that it continues on the ^vvater, is a most excellent killer in rivers or brooks. There are three sorts of them ; the one 1 have described : there is another with a dull red wing, and a third with a dark blue wing, all of which the fish take very well, but the preference must be given to the red scrt : it is to be fished with any timb of the day, from sun-rise to sun-set. The wings are made of a red cock's hackle, with a bLick list up the middle; the body with a peacock's her]. The hook No. 6, if for a river ; but if for a dead, heavy, runnmg brook, the fly must be made larger^ as on ^Jo 4 or 5. . THE ORL FLY Comes on the Jatter end cf May, and continues on till the latter end of June. It is a four-winged fly, generally flutters along the surface of the -water, and is what fishes are remarkably fond of; you may fish for it successfully, after the May fly is gone, from four o'clock in the morning till about seven in the evening, {>t which time the sky-blue cpmes on ; then change it for the sky-blue. The wings of the Orl fiy are made "with a dark grizzle cock's hackle, and the body of a peacock's her), worked with dark red silk^ The hood No. 6. M 3 128 best's akt of angling THK SKY-COLOURED BLUE Comos on about the same time as the orl-fly, and continues on till ihe middle of J uly . It is a near, curious, and beaut'ful fij' , it^ wings are transparent, stand upright upon its back, and are of a fine blue colour; its body is of a pale yelicvv, its tail forked, and tlie colour of its Avings; it is a fly the fishes take extremely well from seven o'clock in the evening till sun-set. — The wings are made from the light bhie feather of a hen, the body is made with pale yellow mohair, mixed with light blue fur, and ribbed with a fine cock's hackle, dyed yellow. The hook No. 8.. TUB CADIS FLY ' Comes on about the tenth of June ; it is a large four-winged fly, of a buff colour, and its body the same colour of its wings : it continues on the water till about the middle of J uly ; it is bred from the cod-bait, a curious little in^^ect : while in the state of a grub it is greatly to be admired^ the outside liusk that it lives in being curiously wrought with gravel or sand. This fly is taken best at the clearing of the water, though I think him a fly worth the least notice of any in the Ca- talogue, there being many sorts far preferable to it. The wings are made from a feather takert from a buff-coloured hen; the body is made of buff-coloured mohair, and the legs of a pal^ yellow hackle. The hook No. 6. THE LARGE BLACK ANT FLY. 129 THE BLUE GNAT Comes on the water about the same lime as the spinners, (vide list the 1st under June) and continues on about a fortnight: if the water is low and fine the fishes take them very well, and as long as they remain on the water. The wintys of this gnat are made with a small pale blue cock's hackle, and the body with light blue fur, mixed with a httle yellow mohair. The hook, No. 8 or 9. THE LARGE RED ANT FLY Comes on about the middle of June, if hot and sultry weather, and continues on till about th6 ]5th or 16th of July, appearing mostly in hot, close, gloomy days : it is to be fished with from about eleven o'clock in the forenoon till about six in the evening ; then make use of the even- ing flies described before. The ant-flies, when in perfection, are great killers, and all sorts of fishes that rise at flies are very fond of them ; and you may take fish with them in dead heavy waters, as well as in streivms. The wings of this fly are made from a feather out of a stare's wing, and the body of peacock's herl, made pretty large at the tail, and fine towards the wing, with a fine ginger-coloured cock's hackle wmpt twice or thrice under the but of the wings. The hook No. 8. TUE LARGE BLACK ANT FLY Comes on at the same time with the red, and is to be fished with at the same time, and aftee 130 best's art of angling. the same manner. The wings of Vns fly are made with the lightest sky-blue feather you can get, and with the greatest gloss ; but it is difficult to find any that can come up to the glossiness of the natural wings, except the thistle, which makes them the best of any thing I know of, but is not lasting ; the body is made with a black ostrich's feather, and a black cock's hackle wrapt under the but of the wings : it is to be mfide in the same form as the red one. The hook, JNo. 8. 2 HE WELCIIMAN'S BUTTON. OH HASLE FLY Comes on about the latter end of Jn?y, and continues on about nine days ; it is in form like a round button, from whch it derives its name : it has four wings, the uppermost husky and hard, the undermost of a fine blue colour, soft, and transparent : it is to be found on hazel-trees, or fern : it is an excellent flv for bobbing at the biish, or dub line ; but is rather dfficult to make, on account of its shape and form : the wings are made from the red feather t.hat ujrows upon the rump or tail of a partridge ; the body is made with a peacock's herl and an ostrii h*s feather mixed, and the legs of a fine black cock's hackle. The hook, No. 7. THE LnTLE RED AND BLACK ANT FLIES Come on about the tenth or twelfth of August, and are to be seen in warm gloom v days, till the latter end of September : to be fished with from about twelve o'clock, ti'l four in the evening, and are to be made in the same form as the large ones, and with the same materials, but very sa^all. The hook, No. 9. THE WILLOW FLY. 13 I THE LITTLE WHIRLISG BLUE Comes on about tlie tenth or twelfth of August, and continues on about three weeks : as it swims down the water, its wings stand uprii^ht on its buck ; it has a forked tail, the colour of its wings: it is to be fished with from eleven o'clock in the forenoon till three in the afternoon. The wings are made from a feather out of the wings of a starling; the body is made with a spr.niel's fur, mixed with a little yellow, and a fine red hackle over the body. The hook^ No. 8. THE LITTLE PALE -BLUE Comes on about the same time as the Whirling Blue, and continues on till about the latter end of September : as it swims down the water, its wings stand upright on its back; it has a forked tail, and the colour of its wings : it is a neat, curious, little fly, and what the graylings are very fond of: it is to be fished with from about t<^n o'clock in the morning till three in the afternoon, and generally affords the angler great diversion. The wings are made from a feather of tho sea swal- low : the body is made of the lightest blue fur you can get, uiixed with a very little yellow mo- hair, with a fine pale blue hackle wrapt over the body. Tije hook, No. 8. THE WILLOW FL Comes on about t'le beginning o September, and continues on till the latter end of October: it is a four-winged fly, and gener/illy fl utters upon 132 best's art of angling. the surface of the water : it is to be fished witi) in cold stormy days, being then most plentiful on the water ; but in warm gloomy days make use of the Pale Blue. The wifigs are made of a blue grizzled cock's hackle, and the body of the blue part of squirrel's fur, mixed with a little yellow mohair. The hook, >]o. 7. The three last-mentioned flies conclude the season for fly-fishirig. From the middle of May tili Aug vt you wiil find great variety of fiies and guats tjpon the wat^r every day ; so that you must ob erve it as a peneial rule to hsh with t'le first fiv' that comes on in the morning; that fly being the first which is on the water in the day that IS first mentioned in every month, and then you will sec the other flies and gnats coming down every day in regular succession, every succeeding day till August. The <^reat number of fiies and insects that are on the water all the hot summer months, and the great variety of; food that the fi>hes have, both at top and bot- tom, makes them very nice, and more difficult to be taken than in the spring or in the autumn. The greai number of flies and insects which are on tl)e water all the summer months, totailj' disappear about the middle of August, so that your diversion is as certain with ihe three au- tumnal flies, viz. tl^e Little Whirling Blue, the Pale Blue, and the VVillovv-tly, as with the tliiee spring flies, which are the Bed fly, the Blue Dun, and the Brown. In these two sea- sons of the year, if the weather is favourable, and water in order, you will find your sport more certain and regular than in the hotter ^lonths. This last list of flies ma^ be deemed THE WILLOW FLY. 133 the standard ot arti cial fly-fishing; they are ingenious Bowlker's, of Ludlow in Sbropsliire, For their exeellencv ihey are nut to be equalled. They will kill fi-h in any county of England and Wales, and are whfit I call The Angler's Treasure. Their names are universally known. As for the flies called Lochabcr's Golden Sootys, &c. &c which are to be met with in a late pub- lication, they are not sufficiently known to be of general use. Not only these flies that are most useful in the recreation of angling, but myriads more, come under the angler's observation, when in pursuit of his past me, which will not only fi.l his mind with wonder and admiration, at the incomprehensible works of Nature, but likewise make him praise that Almighty Power from whom both himself and them derive their being. There is so beautiful a passage a-propos to this subject, in Thomson's Summer, that 1 think the insertion of some part of it must prove ac- ceptable to the informed and pious mind; •Nor shall the muse disdain To let the liitle lively S'lmmer-rate Live in her lay, and flutter through her song: Not mean, thouj^h simple, to the sun allay'd, From him they draw their animating fire. Wak*d by his warmer ray, the reptile young Come wmg'd abroad, by the light air upborne, Lighter ana tuil ot soul. From ev'ry cliink And secret corner, where they slept away Their wintry storms," or rising from their tombs To higher lite, by myriads torth at once Swarming they pour, of all the varied hues Their beauty-beaming parent can disclose. Ten thousand forms, ten thousand dift'erent tribes. ]34 best's art gf angling. People the blaze. To sanny waters some By tktal instinct fly, where on the pool They sportive wheel ; or tailing down the stream, Are snatch'd immediate by tiie quick-ey'd trout Or darting salmon. Through the green-wood glade Some love to stray, there lodgM, amr.sV', and led^ In the iVesh leal': luxirrious, ^others make The meads their choice, and visit evVy iiow'r And cv'ry latent herb, tor the sweet task To propagate their kinds, and where to wrap, In what ^ott beds, their young, \et undisclosed, 'Employs their tender care: some to the house, The fold, and dairy, hungry bend tiieir tiight, Sip round the pail, or taste the curdling cheese : Oft, inadvertant tiom the milky stream They meet iheir fate, or weltering in the bowl, With powerless wings around them wrap*d, expiree Resounds the living surface of the ground; Nor undelightful is th€ ceaseless hum To him wIk) muses through the woods at noon, Or drowsy shepherd as he lies recliiVd, With halt-shut eyes beneath the floating shade Of willows grey, close crowding o'er the brook. Gradual from these what nnmVous kinds descend Evading e'en the miscroscopic eye ! Full nature swarms with life, one wond'rous mass Of animals, or atoms organized, Waiting the vital breath, when parent heaven Shall bid his spirit blow. Let no presuming impious railer tax Creative wisdom, as if aught was formed In vain, or not for admirable ends : Shall little haughty ignorance pronounce IrHs works unwise, of which the smallest part Ex:ceds the narrow vision of* her mind? ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 135 CHAP. V- TIIE BEST RULES FOR ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. IT is tiie best fishing in a river somewhat dis- turbed with rain, or in a cloudy day, when the waters are moved with a gentle breeze : tlie south and west winds are the best : and if the wind blows high, yet not so but that you may conve- niently guide your tackle, the fishes will rise in the still deeps ; but if there is little wind stirring, the best an2:lin2: is in swift streams. In casting your line, do it always before you, and in such a manner that the fly may fall first on the water, and as little of your line with it as possible ; but if the wind is high, you will then be forced to drown a good part of it, that you niay keep the fly on the water ; and endeavour, as much as you can, to have the wind at your back, and the sun in your face; but the windmg of the river will frequently render that impracticable. When you throw your line, wav^ the rod in a small circumference round your head, and never make a return of it before it has had its full scope — for if 3^ou do the fly \rill snap off. Although when you angle the day is cloudy and windy, and the water thick, you must keep the fly in continual motion, otherwise the fishes vyill discern. the deceit. " Upon the curling surface let it glide ** With natural motion from your hand supply'd, " Against the stream now gently let ii play, " Now in the rapid eddy roil away.'' Let the line be twice as long as the rod, unless the river is encumbr ed with wood ; and always 136 best's art of angling. stand as far off the bank as the length of your line will permit, when 3^ou cast the fly to the contrary side ; but if the wind blows so that you must throw your line on the same side yon are on, stand on the very brink of the river, and cast your fly at the utmost length of the rod and line, up or down the stream as the wind serves. You must have a quick sharp eye, and active hand, to strike directly a fish rises ; or else, find* ing the mistake, he will spew out the hook. Small light coloured flies are for clear waters and clear atmospheres, large dark coloured flies ivhen vice versa. When after rain the water becomes brownish, an oraffge coloured fly is taken greedily. When fishes rise at the fly very often, and yet tiever take it, you maS conclude that it is not what they like; therefore change it for one they do. When you see a fish rise, throw your fly be^ yond him, ajid draw it gently over the place where he rose; and if it is a proper {\y for the season, and you cast it with a nicety, the fish is yourt)wnn. W en yc)u angle in slow running rivers, of still places, with an artificial fly, cast it across the water, and let it sink a little in the water, and then draw it gently over to you again, letting the current carry it slowly down. This is the best wav for slow waters; but for quick ones your fly must always swim on the top, under the con- tinual inspection of your eyes, which ought, for this kind of anglings to be as sharp as the basi- lisk^. It is a good plan always to carry seme dub- bing, gut, hooks, and silkj out with you in a .ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. J37 sQKtli pocket- book, that you may be ;ible always to imitate any tiy yoa see the fish rjse at more than others. The lighter your flies fall on the water the better;' tliis you will not accomplisli by strength, but by practice^ always raising your rod by de- grees, after you have n:ade your cast. A young ana:ler should never use more th.m one fly on the stretcher at first, but when he can throw out pretty well,, he may add to the stretcher one or more droppers, observing always to let them be one yard asunder. I shall now conclude these rules bv giving the reader a passage relating to artificial fly-(ishing^ (with the alteration only of two or three mono- syllables) from the Spring of that elegant and natural descriptive poet, Mr. Thomson^ which cannot fail of contributing as well to his amuse- ment as instruction. Soon as the first foul torrent of the brooks, Swell'd with the vernal rains, is ebb'd away, And, wbit'ning, down their mcssy-tinctur'd stream Descends the billowy foam, then is the time, While yet the dark-brown water aids the gui'e, To tempt the trout. The wcli-dissembied i)y, The rod fine tapViiig with elastic sprmg, SnatchM from the hoary steed the floating line,. And all thy slender waiVy stores j>repure ; But let not on thy hook the tortur'd worm, Convulsive twist in agonizing folds, Wiiich, by rapacious hunger swallowed deep. Gives, as you tear it from the bleeding breast Of the weak helpless uncomplaining wretch, Harsh pain and horror to the tender hand. When with his lively ray the potent sun lias piertM the streams, and rous'd the finny race^ Tlien, issuing cheerful to thy sport repair ; Chict should the western breexes curling play. And light o*er ether bear the sijadowy clouds^ 13S best's art of angling. High to their fount, this day, amid the hills And woodlands warbling round, trace up the brooks ; Then next pursue their rocky channeled maze Down to the river in whose ample wave Their little naiads love to sport at large : Just in the dubious point, where with the pool Is mix'd the trembJmg stream, or where it boils Around the stone, or from the hollow bank Reverted plays in undulating flow, There throw, mce judging, the delusive fly, And as you lead it round in artliil curve, With eye attentive mark the springing game : Straight as above the surface of the flood They wanton rise, or, urg'd by hunger, leap, Then fix with gentle twitch the barbed hook; Some lightly tossing to the grassy bank, And to the shelving shore slow dragging some. With various hand, proportioned to their force: If yet too young, and easily deceived, A worthless prey scarce bends ;)Our pliant rod, Him piteous of his youth, and the short space He has enjoy'd the vital light oi' heav'n. Soft disengage, and back into the stream The speckled captive throw; but should you lure From the dark haunt, beneath the tangled roots Of pendent trees, the monarch of the brook, Behoves you then to ply your finest art. Long time he, following cautious, scans the fly, And oft attempts to seize it, but as oft The dimpl'd water speaks his jealous fear. At last, while haply o'er the shaded sun Passes a cloud, he desperate takes the death. With sullen plunge: at once he darts along, Deep strilck, and runs out all the iengthen'd line, Then seeks the farthest ooze,, the sheltering wood, The cavern'd bank, the old secure abode; And flies aloft, and flounces round the pool, Indignant of the guile. With yielding hand, That feels him stSl, yet to his furious course Gives way, you, now retiring, following now Across the stream, exhaust his idle rage. Till floating broad upon his breathless side, And to his fate abandoned, to the shore You gaily driig your unresisting prize. PRINCIPAL RIVERS IX ENGLAND. 139 CHAP. VI. OF THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS IK ENGLAND AND PARTICU- LARLY THE THAMES. THE rivers in England are said by Dr.Heylin, to be three luindred and twenty-five, though others increase their number to four hundred and fifty. It would be superflous here to treat particularly of their diversities, their situations, their distance and remoteness to each other, their nearness or vicinity to the sea, the qualities of their v/ater, and the various species of fish they contain. Those that have a more imme- diate intercourse wltli the sea, particularly of its influences, and have the same vicissitudes, the same fluxes and refluxes, the same salt water, and the same sort of fisb which frequent those seas where ihey d:>:embogue themselves; The mouths of the rivers ore too deep to be fathomed by the cordage of a line ; but more inland, and the farther d;-fant from the common receptacle of waters, the rivers are most pro])er for tlie an2,]er's diversion. The principal, rivers in England are the Thames, Severn, Trent, Tine, Tweed, Medway, Tees, Dove, Isis, Tame, VVilley, Avon, Lea, Tre- vel, Lon,Nen,Welland,Davent, Ca'der, Wharf, Nid, Don, Swale, Hull, Ouse, and Are. The ri- vers in Wales are reckoned above two hundred, the principal of wdiich are the Dee, Wye;Conwy, N 3 140 best's art of angling. Tivy, Chedlayday, Cluid, Usk. Tovy, Taff, and Dovy. Several rivers in England run under- ground, and then rise again, as a branch of the Medway in Kent ; the Mole in Surrey ; Hans in Staffordshire ; the little rivers Allen in Denbigh- •hire, and Deveril in Wilthire; the river Recall hides itself under G:round, near Elmsley in the North Riding of Yorkshire ; at Ashwell in Bed- fordshire, rise so many sources of springs that they soon drive a mill ; at Chcdder, near Ax- bridge in Somersetshire, is a spring that drives twelve miles in a quarter of a mile. In the midst of the iiver Nen, south of Peterborough in Northamptonshire, is a deep gulf, called Medes- well, so cold, that in summer no swimmer is able to endure it, yet is not frozen in the winter. But of these enough. As the maps will give a better prospect of these than any enumeration of them can do, let every angler have a large one of England, or at least of the particular county where he usually angles, und therein he may with delight observe the spring head, scite, distance, various passages, windings, turnings, and confluxes of each parti- cular river, with what towns, castles, churches^ gentlemen's seats, and places of note, are on or Xiear the banks; making, as he angles, remarks proper to the nature of each. The six principal rivers are as follow: 1. The Thames, compounded of two rivers. Tame and Isis. The Tame rises in Bucks, be- yond Tame in Oxfordshire, and the latter in Cotswold-hilJs, near Cirencester in Gloucester- shire. They meet about Dorchester, in 0.\ford- shire, and thence run, united betwixt that county and Bucks, and between Buckinghamshire, Mid- PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN ENGLAND. 141 dlesex, and Essex, on one side, and Surrey and Kent on the other, wedding itself to tl)e Kentish Medway in the very jaws of the ocean. This river is said to feel the violence and benefit of the sea more than any other river in Europe, eb- bing and flowing twice a day, more than sixty miles. Sir John Denham has given so grand a description of the Thames, in his Cooper' s-hill, that I think the insertion of some part, cannot prove unacceptible to the reader : My eye descending from the hill, surveys Where Thames among the wanton vallies strays:- Thames, the most lov'd of all the ocean's sons By his old Sire, to his embraces run, Hasting to pay his tribute to the sea, Like mortal life to meet eternity ; Tho^ with those streams he no resemblance hold^ Whose foam is amber and their gravel gold : His genuine and less guilty wealth V explore, Search not his bottom, but survey his shore ; O'er which he kindly spreads his spacious wing, And hatches plenty for the ensuing spring; Nor then destroys it with too fond a stay, Like mothers which their infants overlay : Nor with a sudden and impetuous wave, Like profuse kings, resumes the wealth he gave. No unexpected inundations spoil The mower's hopes, or mock the ploughman's toil;. But god-like his unweary*d bounty flows : First loves to do, then loves the good he does. Nor are his blessings to his banks confm'd, But free and common as the sea or wind ; When he, to boast or to disperse his stores, Full of the tribute of his ^Tateful shores. Visits the world, and in his flying tow'rs Brings home to us, and n/akes both Indies ours, Finds wealth where 'tis, )bestows it where it wants, Cities in deserts, woods In cities, plants. So that to us no thing, no place, is strange, WUiie his fur bcsom'is the world's exchange. 142 BEST*S ART OF ANGLING. The second river of note is the Severn, which lias its beginning in Phnilimmon-bill, in Mont- gomeryshire, and its end seven miles from Bris-? tol ; washing in that place the walls of Shrews- bury, Worcester, Gloucester, and divers other plices and palaces of note. It receives greater rivers, and is farther navigable than the Thames, but does not equal it for the quantity and quality of its fish. 3. The Trent (so called on account of the thirty different kinds of fish which are found in it, or because it receives thirty small rivers) has its fountain in Staffordshire, and gliding through the counties of Nottingham, Lincoln, Leicester, and York, augments the turbulent current of the M umber, the most violent stream of all the isle. The Humber is not a distinct river, because it has not a spring head of its own, but is rather the mouth or miuarium of divers rivers meeting together: among which, besides the Trent, are the Darvent and Ouse. 4. The Med way, a Kentish river, rises near Tunbridge, passes by Maidstone, runs by Ro- chester, discharges itself into I he mouth of the the Thames, by Sheerness : a ri\er chiefly re- markable for the dock at Chatham, where ships of the first rate are built and repaired for the use of the. English navy. 5. The Tweed, the north-east boundary of England, on whose banks is seated the strong and almost impregnable town of Berwick : C. The Tine, famous for Newcastle, and its in- exhaustible coal-pits. These, and the rest of princi[)al note, are thus described in one of Mr. Drayton's sonnets: PRINCIPAL RIVERS IX ENGLAND. 143 1. The flood*s Queen, Thames, [for ships and swans is crowii'd, And stately Severn for her shore is praisM; The Chrvstal Trent for fords and fish renownM, Ancf Avon's fame to Albiou^s cliffs is rais'dr Carlegion Chester vaunts her holy Dee : York many wonders of her Ouse can tell : The Peak her Dove, whose banks so fertile be, And Kent will say her Medway doth excel. Cotswold commands her Isis to the Tame : Our northern borders boast of Tweed^s fair flood : Our western parts extol their Willy's fame, And the old Lea brags of the Danish blood. But let me return to the Thamee, of which, and the rivers that fall into it, I shall treat somevvhit particularly, as they are more the seat for the di- version of angling than any others. The higher an angler goes up the Thames, if within about 40 miles, the more sport, and the greater variety of fibh he will meet with ; but as few Londoners go. so far from home, I shall mention the best places for Thames angling from London Bridge to Chelsea. But before I proceed any farther on this sub- ject, it will be necessary to lay down some rules which the angler must attend to. If the air is cold and raw, the wind high, the water rough, or if the weather is wet, it is totaily- useless to angle in the Thames. 144 BES'l^S ART OF ANGLING. But when the sky is serene, the air temperate, »nd the water smooth, success will attend you. The proper hours for angling are from the time that the tide is half-ebbed, to within two hours of the high water, provided the land-floods do not come down. Always pitch your boat under the wind : that is, if the wind be in sout?i, then keep on the Surrey shore : if north, on the London side. The best places for pitching a boat to angle ia the Thames, are about one hundred and fifty yards from York Stairs ; the Savoy, Somerset- nouse, Dorset Stairs, Black-Friars Stairs^ the Dung-Wharf near Water- Lane, Trig Stairs, and Essex Stairs. On Surrey side Falcon Stairs, Barge Houses, Cuper's, vulgo Cupid's Stairs, the Windmill, and Lambeth. There are very good roach and dace to be caught at Westminster Bridge, if the weather is favourable in Autumn ; the fifth arch on the Dorth-side is best to pitch the boat. When you go to angl if he only Catches 2, single gudgeon, &c. Of the r. vers that empty themselves into tlie Thamvs, and of others which are not far from it : 1 shall begin with those on the north-side. 1. Ilford river, the upper part of which abounds with roach, dace, and some perch, but between Ilford and the Thames, especially about three miles from the town, there is pike. 2. Woodford river, stored with perch, chub, roach, and dace. 3. Struiford river affords the angler good di- version for roach, dace, chub, perch, 8ic. 4. Bo^v river, having the same fish in it as the Stratford river. 5. Hacknev river, having plenty of largebarbel, chub, roacii, dace, gudgeon, eels, and lampreys. In this river the barbels, eels, and gudgeons, are Very fine. The river Lea runs here, and the higher you go up it the greater sport you will have : the Rve-house,near Hoddesdon, (famous for the plot) is an excellent part to go to for di* Version. 14>6 best's art of angling. The back waters near Tottenham Mills abound with fish. 6. Walt ham river, besides large barbel, chub, roach, dac^, gudgeon, and eels, has good store of fine pike, and some carp. 7. The New River, pretty well stored with chub, roach, dace, gudgeon, ami eels. 8. Brentford river, a good one formerlj^, but HOW much abused by poachers ; but the angler may meet with some chub, roach, dace, and perch. 9. Hounslow river, well stored with roach, dace, perch, pike^ and gudgeons. 11. Ux bridge river, excellent for its large and fat trouts ; but as the weter is rented, not only leave must be obtained to angle in it; but you must pay so much per pound for what you kill. Den ham, near Ux bridge, is a very famous place. Having now done with the north side, I pro- ceed to the south of the Thames. 1. Deptford river, now very much decayed, and has but a few fish in it, as roach, dace, and flounders; though by chance you may meet with a trout. 2. Le wish am river, in which are some good trouts, large roach^ chub, gudgeon, perch, and dace. 3. Wandsworth river, well stored with gud- geons, dace, flounders, perch, pike, and some carp, and trouts ; very large silver eels are often taken there. 4. Mitcbam river; its principal fish are trouts. 5. Merton river, for trouts also. 6. Carshalton river, abounding wrth trouts, and. other white fishes. 7. Mousley river, yielding perch, jack, roach, PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN ENGLAND. 147 ' • ■' ' ■ t ■ dace, chub, gudgeoiiS;, eels, flounders, barbels, and trouts. 8. Esher river, good for jacks, perch, chub, roach, dace, gudgeons, eels, flounders, barbels, and trouts. 9. Cobliani river, stored with plenty of good trouts, fat and la. ge, as also dace, perch, chubs, jacks, and gudgeons. 10. Weybridge river,afibrding good diversion for carp, some of which weigh eight or nine pounds ; also jack, roach, dace, flounders, popes, large bleak, barbel, and gudgeons. i 1 . By fleet river, wherein are very large pikes, jacks, and tench ; perch, of eighteen inches long ; good carp, large flounders, bream, roach, dace, gudgeons, popes, large chub and eels. I shall conclude this account of the Thames, and the principal rivers that fall into and com- pose it, with the following beautiful lines of Mr, Pope : First the famM authors of his ancient name, The winding Isis, and the fruitful Thame ; The Kennet swift, for silver eels renowned ; The Lodden slow, with verdant alders crown'd, Cole, whose dark streams his flow'ry islands lave; And chalky VVey, that rolls a milky wave : The blue transparent Vandalis appears ; The gulfy Lee his sedgy tresses rears ; And sullen Mole, thatrfiides his diving flood ; /\ud silent Darant, stain'd with Danish blood CHAP. 148 best's art of angling. CHAP. VIL OF THE GAME LAWS RELATIVE TO ANGLING, Ist. THE PENALTY OF FISHING IN PONDS AND OTHER PRIVATE FISHERIES. 1. ANY may erect a fish-pond without licence, because it is a matter of profit, for the increase of victuals. 2. Inst. 199- 2. If any trespass in ponds be therefore attain- ted at the suit of the party, great and large amends shall be awarded according to the trespass ; and they shall have three years imprisonment, and a'ter shall make fine at the king's pleasure, (if V ey iave whereof) and then shall find good surety tl at after they shall not commit the like trespass : and if they have not whereof to make fine, after three years imprisonment, they shall iind like surety ; and if they cannot find surety, they shall abjure the reahrf. And if none sue within the year and day, the king shall have suit. 3. Ed. I. c. 20. Note, those are trespassers in Ioonds, who endeavour to take fish therein. 2, [nst. 200. 3. If an}' person shall unlawfully break, cut, or destroy, any head or dam of a fish-pond, or shall wrongfullv fish therein, with an intent to GAME LAWS. 14 Q take and kill fish, he shall, on conviction, at the suit of the k4ng, or of the party, at the assizes or sessions, be imprisoned three months, and pay treble damages ; and after the three months expired, shall find sureties for his good abearing for seven years, or remain in prison till he doth. 5. El. c. 21. S.2. 6. 4. Whereas divers idle, disorderly, and mean persons, betake themselves to the stealing, taking, and killing of fish, out of ponds, pools, motes, stews, and other several waters and rivers, to tlie great damage of the owners thereof; it is enact- nd, that if any person shall use any net, nngle, hair, noose, troll, or spear ; or shall lay any wears, pels, fish-hooks, or other engines; or shall take any fish by any means or device whatever, or be aiding thereunto, in any river, stew, pond, mote, or other water, without the consent of the lord or owner of the water ; and be thereof con- victed by confession, or oath of one witness, be- fore one justice, in one month after the offence, every such offender in stealing, taking, or killing fish, shall for every such oifence give to the party injured such recompence, and in such time as the justice shall appoint, not exceeding treble da- mages; and moreover shall pay dawn to the over- seers for the use of the poor, such sum, not ex- ceeding 10s. as the justice shall think meet; in default of payment, to be levied by distress ; for want of distress to be committed to the house of correction, not exceeding one month, unless he enter into a bond with one surety to the party in- jured, not exceedmg lOl. never to offend in like manner,22 and 23 C. 2. c. 25. s. 7. And the jus- tice may take, cut, and destroy, all such angles, spears, hairs, nooses, trolls, wears, pots, fish- o2 150 best's art of angling. hooks, nets, or other engines, wherewith such offender shall be apprehended, S. 8. Persons aggrieved may appeal to the next sessions, whose determination shall be final, if no title to any land, royalty, or fishery, be therein concerned. S. IQ. 5. Whereas divers idle^ disorderly, and mean persons, have and keep nets, angles, leaps,pilches, and other engines, for the taking and killing of fishout of ponds, waters,rivers, and other fisheries, to the damage of the owners thereof; therefore, no person hereafter shall have or keep any net, angle, leap, pilche, or other engine for the taking of fish, other than the makers and setters thereof, and other than the owner and occupier of a river or fishery ; and except fishermen and their ap- prentices lawfully authorized in navigable rivers. And the owner or occupier of the river or fish ; and every other person by him appointed, may seize, detain, and keep to his own use, every net, angle, leap, pilche, and other engine, which he shall find used or laid, or in the possession of any person fishing in any river or fishery, without the consent of the owner or occupier thereof. And also, any person, authorized by a justice's war- rant, may in the day time search the houses, out- houses, and other places, of any person hereby prohibited to have or keep the same, who shall be suspected to have or keep in his custody or pos- session any net, angle, leap, pilche, or other en- gine aforesaid, and seize and keep the same, to his own use, or cut and destroy the same, as things by this act prohibited to be kept by per- sons of tlieir dgree. 4 and 5 W. c. 23. s. 5, 6. G. If any person shall enter into any park or paddock, fenced in and closed, or into any gar- GAME LAWS. 151 den, orchard, or yard, adjoining or belonging to any dweliing-housc, in or through which park or paddock, garden, orchard, or yard, any stream of water or river shall run or be, or wherein shall be any river, stream, pool^pond5mote, stew,or other water, and by any ways, means, or device what- ever,shall steal, take,kill, or destroy, any fish bred, kept, or preserved therein, without the consent of the owner thereof; or shall be aiding or assisting therein; or shall receive or buy any such fish, knowing the same to be stolen or taken as afore- said ; and shall be convicted thereof at the as- sizes, within six calendar months after the offence committed ; he shall be transported for seven years. And any offender, surrendering himself to ajustice, or being apprehended ,or in custody for such offei>ce, or on any other account, who shall' make confession thereof, and a true discovery, on oath, of his accomplice, or accomplices, so as such accomplice may be apprehended, and shall on trial give evidence so as to convict such ac- complice, shall be discharged of the offence, so by i)im confessed. 5. G. 3. c. 14. s. 1, 2. And if any person shall take, kill, or destroy, orattempttokill,take, or destroy, any fish, inanjr river or stream, pond, pool, or other water, (not being in any park or paddock, or in any garden,' orchard, or yard, adjoining or belonging to any dsvelling-house, but in any other enclosed ground, being private property) he shall, on conviction before one justice, on the oath of one witness, forfeit 5l. to the owner or owners of the fishery, of such river or stream of water, or of such pond, pool, mote, or other water: and such justice, on complaint, upon oath, may issue his warrant to bring the person complained of b'efore him ; and 152 best's art of angling. if he shall be convicted before such justice, or other justice of the county or place, he shall immediately after conviction pay the said penalty of ol. to such justice, for the use of such person as the same is hereby appointed to be paid unto ; and in default thereof, shall be committed by such justice to the house of correction, for any time not exceeding six months, unless the forfeiture shall be sooner paid ; or such owner of the fish- ery may bring an action for the penalty (within six calendar months after the offence) in any of the courts of record at Westminster. S. 3, 4. Provided, that nothing in this act shall extend to subject any persons to the penalties thereof,, who shall fish, take, or kill, and carry away, any fish in any river or stream of water, pond, pool,. or other water, wherein such person shall have a just right or claim to take, kill, or carry away such fish. S. 5, 7. By the black act, if any person, being armed and disguised, shall unlawfully steal or take away any fish out of any river or pond ; or (whether armed or disguised, or not) shall unlaw-^ fully and maliciously break down the head or mound of any fish-pond, whereby the fish shall he lost or destroyed, or shall rescue any person in custody for such offence, or procure any other to join with him therein, he shall be guilty of felony, without benefit of clergy. Sdly. RULES CONCERNING THE ASSIZE, AND PRESERVING THE BREED OF FISH. 1. If any person shall lay or draw any net, en- gine, or other device, or cause any thing to be done m the Severn, Dee, Wye, Teame, Were, Tees^j GAME LAWS. 15v Ribble, Mersey, Dun, Air, Oiize, Swaile, Caldep Wharfe, Eure, Darwent, or Trent, whereby the spawn or fry of salmon, or any kepper or shedder salmon, or any salmon not 18 inches from the eye to the extent of the middle of the tail, shall be taken and killed ; or shal 1 set any bank,dam, hedge, stank, or net across the same, whereby the salmon may be taken, or hindered from passing up to spawn, or shall between Jul}' 'U, and November 12, (except in the Ribble, where they may be taken between Jan. 1, and Sept. 1,5,) take any salmon of any kind in any of the said rivers, or shall, after Nov. 1 2, yearly, fish there for salmon, with any net less than ^f inches in the mesh ; he shall, on conviction, in one month, before one justice, on view, confession, or oath of one wit- ness, forfeit 5l. and the fisb, nets, and engines; half the said sum to the informer, and half to the poor, by distress; far want of distress, to be committed to the house of correction or goal, not more than three months, nor less than one, to be kept to hard labour, and to suffer such other cor- poral punishmentastbejustice shall think fit: the nets and engines to be cut or destroyed, in presence of thejustice: the banks,dams,hedges,andstanks, to be demolished at the charge of the offender, to be levied in like manner: 1. G.st.S.c. 18. s. 14. Note, It is not said who shall have the fish; so that it seems they are forfeited to- the king. And no salmon out of the said rivers shall be sent to London,under six pounds weight; on pain that the sender, buyer, or seller, on the like con- viction, shall forfeit 5l. and the fish ; half to the informer and half to the poor, by distress; for want of sufficient distress, to be committed to th^ house of correctian or goal, to be kept to hard 154 best's aut of angling. 3abour for three months, if not paid in the mean time. Id. S, 1.5. And persons aggrieved may appeal to the next Sessions. Id. S. 17» 2. No salmon shall be taken in the Humber, Ouze/Frent, Done, Aire, Dai went, VV harfo, Nid, Yore, Swale, Tees, Tine, Eden, or any other water wheiein salmon are taken, between Sept. 8 and Nov. II. Nor shall any young salmon be taken at millpools(norin other places, 13. R.£st.R.st. I.e. 19.) from Mid-April to Midsummer, on pain of having the nets and engines burnt for the first of- fence : for the second, imprisonment for a quarter of a year; for the third, a whole year ; and, as the trespass increaseth, so shall the punishment. And overseers shall be assigned to enquire thereof. 13 Ed. 1. St. 1. c. 47. That is, under the great seal, and by authority of parliamento 2. Inst. 477. And no person shall put in the waters of Tha- mise, Humber^ Ouze, Irent, nor any other wa- ters, in any time of the year, any nets called stalkers, nor other nets nor engines wh>atsoever, by which the fry or breed of salmon, lampreys, or any other fish, may in any wise be taken or destroyed : on the like pain. 1:3 K. 2 st. I.e. IQ. And the waters of Lon, Wyre, Mersey, Rybbyl, and all other waters in Lancashire, shall he put in defence as to taking of Salmon to Michaelmas to Candlemas, and in no other time of the year. Ai^d conservators shall be appointed in like manner. 13 H. 2. st. I.e. 39. And the justices of the peace (and the mayor, of London, on the Thames and IVJedway,) shall survey the offences in both the acts above-men- tioned ; and shall survey and search ail the wears in such rivers ; that they shali not be very strait for the destruction of such fry and brood, but of GAME LAWS. 155 reasonable wideness after the old assize used or acciisto lied ; and riiey shall appoint under-coii- servators, who shall be sworn to make like sur- vey, search, and punishment. And they shall enquire in session, as well by their office, as at the information of the under-conservators, of all defaults aforesaid, and shall cause them which shall be thereof indicted, to come before them ; and if they shall be thereof convicted, theyshall have imprisonment, and make fine at the discre- tion of the justices ; and if the same be at the in- iormation of an under-conservator_, he sliali have half the fine. 17 R. 2. c. 9. 3. By the 1 Eliz. c. 17. No person, of what estate, degree, and condition soever he be, shall take and kill any young brood, spawn, or fry of fish ; nor shall take or kill any salmon or trouts. Hot being in season, being kepper and shedder, nor any pike or pikerel, not being in length ten inches fish or more ; nor any salmon, noL being in length sixteen inches fish ; nor any barbel, not being in length tvvelve inches : and no person shall fish, or take fish, by any device, but only ^vith a net or trammel, whereof the mash shall be two inches and a half broad, (angling ex- cepted, and except smelts, loches, minnows, bull- heads, gudgeons, and eels;) on pain of forfeiting 120s. for every offence, and also the fish, nets, and engines. JSote. In some editions of theistatutes it is ^OL in others 20s. in the records it is not distinguish- able whether it is pounds or shillings. The lat- ter seems more adequate to the offence. And the conservators of rivers may enquire hereof by a jury ; and in such case they shall have the fines. 456 best's art of angling. The leet also may enquire hereof; and then the forfeiture shall go to the lord of the leet. And if the steward do not charge the jury there- with he shall forfeit 40s. half to the king, and half to him that shall sue. And if the jury conceal the offence^ he may impannel another jury to enquire of such concealment ; and if it is found, the former jury shall forfeit every one 20s. to the lord of the leet. And if the offence is not presented in the leet within a year, then it may be heard or determined at the session or assizes, (saving the right con- servators.) And bv the 33 G. S, 3, €7. No person shall take, or knowingly have in his possession, eilher in the water or on shore, or sell or expose to sale, any spawn, fry, or brood of fish, or an unsizea- ble fish, or fish out of season,or any sm^lt not five inches long: and any person may seize the same, together with baskets and package, and charge a constable,or otherpeace-officer,vvith the offender and with the goods, who shall carry them before- a justice; and on conviction before such justice, the same shall be forfeited and delivered to the prosecutor; and the offender shall beside forfeit *iOs. to be levied by distress, by warrant of such justice, and distributed, half to th^ prosecutor, and half to the poor of the parish where the of- fence was committed, (and any inhabitant of such parish, nevertheless may be a witness,) for want of sufficient distress, to be committed to the house of correction, to be kept to hard la- bour for any time not exceeding three months, unless the forfeiture be sooner paid. Provided that the justice may mitigate the said penalty, so as not to remit above one half. Persons ag- PROGNOSTICS OF THE WEATHER. 15/ I ....... . grieved may appeal to the next sessions : And the form of the conviction may be this; Be it remembered, that on this day of in the year of the reign of G. B. is convicted before me one of his Majesty's justices of the peace, for the of for and 1 do adjudge him to pay and forfeit the sum of Given under my hand and seal the day and year abovesaid. S. J3, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 4. No person shall fasten any nets over rivers, to stand continually day and night, on pain of an hundred shillings to the king. 2. H.' 6* c. 15. Out plenteous streams a various race supply, Thebright-eye'd perch, with fins ofTyriaudye, The silver eel in shining volumes roll'd, The yellow carp, in scales be-droj)p'd with gold, Swift trouts, diversified with crimson stain^, And pikes, the tyrants of the watery plains. PopE^s Windsor Forest. CHAP. viir. rROGNOSTICS OF THE WEATHER, INDEPENDENT OF THE BA- ROMETER, EXTRACTED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES. AS it is highly necessary that an angler should be able to form a judgment of the change of weather, on which his sport entirely depends; if he observes the following signs, it Will soon be* come familiar to him. 158 best's art of angling SIGNS FROM VAPOURS. If a white mist in an evening or night is spread over a meadow, wherein there is a river, it will be drawn up by the next morning sun, and the da}^ will be bright afterwards. W here there are high hills, and the mist which hangs over the lower lands draw towards the hills in a morning, and rolls up their sides till it covers the top, there will be no rain. In some places, if the mist hangs upon the hills, and drags along the woods, instead of over- spreading the level grounds, in a morning, it will turn to rain; therefore to judge rightly of the appearances of a fog, it is in some degree ne- cessary to be acquainted with the nature of the country. SIGNS FROM THE CLOUDS. It is a very considerable symptom of fair wea- ther, when the clouds decay, and dissolve them- selves into air; but it is otherwise when they are collected out of it. In nubem cogiter a^r. Virgil. Against heavy rain, every cloud rises bigger than the former, and all the clouds are in a grow- ing state. This is most remarkable on the approach of a thunder-storm, after the vapours have been co- piously elevated, suspended in the sky by the heat, and are highly charged with electrical fire ; small fragments of flying clouds increase and assemble together, till in a short space of time they cover tb^ sky. SIGNS FROM THE DEW. 15^ \V'l]eii the cioiidh are toniicd iiki-tieec s, deep, and deiise towards the miiMIe, and very wiiite at the edges, with the sky very hrii>ht and bhie about ihem, they are of a fiosty coldness, and will soon fall eiilier in bail, snow, or in hasty showers of rain. If clouds are seen to breed high in the air, in thin white trains, like locks of wool, or the tails of horses, they shew that the vapour, as it is collected, is irregularly sprciid and scattered bj contrary winds above; the consequence of which •will soon be a w^ind below, and probably a raiu with it. If tlie clouds, as they come forward, seem to diverge from a point in the liorizon, a wind may be expected from that quarter, or the opposite. When a general cloudiness covers the sky above, and there are small black fragments of clouds, hke smoke, flying underneath, wliich some call messengers, and other's Noah^s Ark, because they sail over the other clouds, like the ark upon the waters, rain is not far oft*, and it will probably be lasting. Their is no surer sign of rain than two different currents of clouds, especially if the undermost flies fast before the wind ; and if two such cur- rents appear in the hot weather of the summer, they shew that a thunder storm is gathering : but the preparation which precedes a storm of thun- der, is so generally understood, that it is need- less to insist upon it minutely. SIGNS FROM THE DEW, If the dew lies plentifully upon the grass after a fair day, another fair day may be expected to l6o best's art of angling. succeed it; but if after such a day there is no dew upon the ground, and no wind stining, it is a sign that the vapours go upwards, and that there will be an accumulation above, which must terminate in rain. SIGN'S FROM THE FACE OF THE SKY. If those vapours which the heat of the day raises from the earth, are precipitated by thecold air of the night, then the sky is clear in the morning; but if this does not happen, and they remain still in the a'rr, the light of the morning will be coloured as it was in the evening, and rain will be the consequence. There is commonly either a strong dew, or a mist over the ground, between a red evening and a grey morning.; but if a red morning succeeds^ there is no dew. It is a bad symptom when a lowering redness is spread too far upwards from the horizon, either in tiiemorning or in the evening; it is succeeded either by rain or wind, and frequently both. When such a fiery redness, together with a raggedncss of the clouds, extends towards the zenith in an evening, the wind will be high from the west or south-west, attended with rain, some- times with a flood : before the late dreadful hur- ricane of 1780, at Barbadoes, and the other West-India islands, a redness like fire was ob- served all over the sky. When the sky, in a rainy season, is tinged with a sea-green colour, near.the horizon, when it ought to be blue, the rain wiil continue and increase; if it is of a deep dead blue, it is abundantly loaded with va- pours/ and the weather will be showery. SIGNS FROM THE SUN, &C. iQi SIGNS FROM THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS. When there is & haziness aloft in the air, so that the sun's light fades by degrees, and his orb looks whitish and ill-defined, it is one of the most certain signs of rain. If the moon and stars grow dim in the night, with the like haziness in the air, and a ring or hole appears round the moon, rain will be the consequence. If the rays of the sun, breaking throngh the clouds, are visible in the air, and appear like those horns of irradiation which painters usually place upon the head of Moses, the air is sensibly filled with vapours, which reflect th^ rays to the sight, and those vapours will soon produce rain. If the sun appears white at his seUing, or shorn of his rays, or goes down into a bank of clouds, which lie in ihe horizon ; all these are signs of approaching or continuing bad Meather, If the moon looks pale and dim, we are to ex- pect rain ; if red, it is a sign of wind ; and if white, and of her natural colour, and the sky clear, it will be fair weather, according to a poe- tical adage. If a new moon happens at twelve at night, rain is lately observed to follow. PALLIDA LUNA PLUIT. RUBICUNDA FLAT, ALBA SCRENAT. If the moon is rainy throughout her course, it will clear up at the ensuing ci»ange, and the rain will probably commence auain in a few days af- ter, and continue ; if, on the contrary, the moon has been fair througliout, and it rains at the change, the fair weather will probably be res- .P2 l62 BKST*S ART OF ANGLING, tored about the tburth or filth dav of the moon, and continue as betbre : Sin orm quarto (namqiie is cetlssimm aiictor) Pura, aeqne ohtusis yer ccehim cornibus ibit, Totu»€tille (hfs, etqui mtscentur ah ilio Exactum ad iiieuscm, phiviin ventisquecarebuut. ViRG. George. 132. But fournf^'hts ckT, (for that^s the surest siu:ri,) Wah shar^>enVJ horns, it' glorious then she shiiK^ : Next day, not only that, but all tiie moon, ^li.] ii(T re\oivin^ race be w hoiiy run, A^e void ot' tempebth. Dayden. N. B. A gentleman who cuts hay for his own f ODSumption, u i l seldom fail to finci his account in niaiuii)^ liiis observation; but a farmer who has much business to do, cannot contract his work into so small so compass, as to save himself by the be'nefit of this observation, because some ot his work must be done to make way for the rcbt. \ SIGNS FROM TIIE WINDS. When the wind veers about, wncert.ainly, to several points of the compass, rain is pretty sure to fo low . Some have rrniMrked, that if the wind, as it veers about, follows the course of the sun, from the cast tou ards the west, it brings fair weather ; if the contiary, ibul; but there is no prognostic of rain more infallible, than a whistl.ng or howl- ing noise of the wind. FROM NOCTUUNAL METEORS. When an Aurora borealis appears, after some warm days, it 'is generally Succeeded by a coldness SIGNS OF THE WEATHER. iG'j ^ ■ - ' ^ . • » . " ' ■ ■■■ .::;rn: ot the air; ii.> it" tlie auittcr of lieai was earned upwards from the earth to the sky. SIGNS OF THE CHANGE. OF WEATfTER FROM THE ANnHAL CREATION. So long as the swallows fly aloft after their prej, we think ourselves sure of a serene sky ; but when they skim alon;^ near tlie ground, or thesui face of the wUer, we judge the rain is not far off, and the ohservation will seldom fail: in the year 1773, a draught of th.ree months conti- nuance broke up at the summer solstice : the day before the rain came upon us, the swallows flew very near the ground, which they had never done in the fine weather. af^ In the mountainous country of Derbyshii^ej which goes by the name of the Peak, the inhabi- lanls ()hserve,.that if the shecj) wind up the hills in the morning to their pasture, and feed near the tops, the weather, chough cloudy and drizzling, which is very frequently the case in those parts, will clear away by degrees, and terminate in a fine day; but if they feed in the bottoms, the rains will continue and increase. Dogs grow sleepy and stupid before rain, and shew that their stomachs are out of order, by re- fusing their food, and eatif)g grass, that sort which is hence called dog's grass ; this they cast, up again soon afterwards^ and with it the foulness that of- fended tlieir stomachs. Water fowl dive and wasli themselves more than ordinary ; and even the fish^ in rivers are affected, because all anglers agree, that they never h'te freely when rain is depend- ing, Vide part 1st, rule l6th. Flies, on the con- trary, are p irticularly troublesome, and seem to more hungry than usual ; and toadi are seen in pa l64f best's art of angling. the evening, crawling across the road, or beaten path, where they seldom appear but when they are restless with an approachirig change. Before any considerable quantitv^ of rain is to fail, ni.ost living creatmes are affected in such sort, as to render them some way sensib'e of its i^pproach,. and of the access of sometliing new to the suri'ace of the earth, and of the atmospliere. Moles work harder than ordinary, they throw up moreearth.and sometimes come forth : the worms, do so too: ants are observed to stir about, and bustle more than usually for some time, and then retire to their burrows belore the rain falls. All sorts of insects and Hies are more stirring and busy tlian ordinary. Ptes are ever on this occasion in fullest employ; but betake themselves all to their hives, jf not too far for them to reach before the storm arises. The common flesli-flies are more bold and greedy : snails, frogs, and toads, appear disturbed and unea?y. Fishes are sullen, and made qiialmish by tlie water, now more turbid t!)an before. Birds of all sorts are in action ; crows are more earnest after their prey, as are also swal- lows and other small biids, and therefore they fall lower, and fly nearer to the earth in search of insects and other such things as they feed^ H| on. W hen the mountains of the north begin to be capped, with fogs, the moor-cocks and other birds quit them,, fly off jn flocks, and betake themselves to the lower lands for the time. Swine discover great uneasiness ; as do likewise sheep, cows, and oxen, appearing more solicitous and #*ager in pasture than usual. Even mankind themselves are not exempt from some sense of a, thangc In their bodies. PROGNOSTICS COVTINUEf>. 0)5 PROGNOSTICS CONTINUED. l*^. ^' A fkirk, thick sky, lasting for some time without either sun or rain, alwavs hecomc first fair, then foul, i. e." Ciianges to a fair, clear sky, before it turns to rain. Th's the Hev. Vir. Clarke, who kept a register of thj weather for thirty years, since put into Mr. Derham's hands, by his grandson, the learned Dr. Samuel Clarke : this, he says, he scarce ever knew to ftiil ; at least when the wind was in any of the easterly points : but Mr. Derhani has observed the rule to hold good, be the wind where jt will. And the cause is obvious : the atniospliere is repieie with va- pours, which, though sufficient to reflect and in- tercept the sun's rays from us, yet want density to descend ; arul while the v.»pours continue in the same !?tate, the weather will do so to. Accordingly, such wearhc r is uenerally attend- ed with moderate warmth, and with little or no wind to di turb the vapours, and an heavy at- mosphere to sustain tliem, the barometer being commonly high. But v hen the roid approaches, and by condensing, drives the vapoars into clouds or drops then way is made for the sun* beams; till the same vapours being, by further condensation, formed into rain, fail down into drops. C°. ^' A change in the warmth of the weather, is gei>eally followed by a change in the wind." Thus, the nortlierly and sootherly winds, commonlv esteemed the causesofcoldund warm weather, are really the eiTecis of the cold or warmth of the atm-osplie'C : of which Mr. Der- haiu assures us he has had so many confirma- l66 best's art of ANtiLING. tions, thnt be makes no doubt of it. Ihus it is common to see a warm soulherlv wind suddenly changed to the north, by a fail of snow or hail ; or to see the wind, in a cold frosty morninii:, north, when the sun has well warmed tl>e earth and air, wheel towards the south ; and again turn northerly and easterl}^ in a cold ev*ei>ing. S^. " Most vegetables expand their Rowers and down in sun-sfiiny V;'eather, and towards the evening; and against rain close them a CO 00 0'«tcoo^GOCO»oc^r^csfCno? 1 GO t>! VD w^ rji* r^' C^ rih »o ^ t- l>^ CO 1 d O«^OOO(^'O?OOTf«00C0 ^^5 ^i^ O O f-< 'T* O O O O t:< th t^to^co T-1 ^r-<5O»0i0C0«0OCiC0^C^ nI isl «6 vo ^ CO "tjJ vH lO CO t>l 00 1 I CO iO Tp GO rj^ '^* CO CO l> CO THC^>T-(<^':0Of>-O00O'^O O ^ 'H r-! •.->< ^0 o -«:< CO CO CO -rH 00 t«^ 'O »^ '^ '.O CO 'T »0 'O tC CO cc' iO r^ CD ^* CO 00 Cf* T7< O >-?? ^ C^ CO O tH r/ Cy Q* VO K.0 Vj CO CO C-? O CO t>l CO u^ Tt" C-; CO -?■ O O t^ CO t- TT O CO GO '^ OJ O CO 'O CO »0 O C?0 CO G^.CO O O GO CN CJ< 0< O CO isl 'o *o '^ CO oi rti *-o' O t"^ CO c4 :r- o o ■«* CO CO Ti *o o 05 o GO OC0C0C0C0'0'O0?Ci-^r-iiHO 00 nI CO "^ ^ CO* CO* ^ x-O CO* t> CO "T uO •t-i o ■•-> ..-I .s s a; • "<« o o a> o CN '^:c?» i a tit) -^ %7! 0; - C3 -^ CO O :m ^ .;::s ct; ^ S to &/D CO CD ,i2 Q n3 ?3 •42 G ^ 0) CO c3 _CO o CO C^ ^ jG r-< 4..> 3 to c:5 G C3 G (?3 ? a> ^ >-5 G -G o CO • •^ G G • —4 d «« o H FINIS. Plummer, Trinter, Seething-Iiane. / rA 01330 i ^B