UC-NRLF CO cr- OJ o ItRKfliY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TUB BEING A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE ART OF FISHING,. &c. SERIES OF LETTERS TO A FRIEND, ' When with his lively R:.y the potent Sun Has pierc'd the Streams, and rous'd the finny Race, j Then, ifluing cheerful, to thy Sport repair. Thompfon's Se;.;r>:, PPvINTED TOR THE AUTHOR BY j. SALTER, OSWESTKY; :TD SOLD BY MR. HURST, . NO. 32, 77707 T H a MODERN ANGLER, LETTER I. To the Rev. MORGAN PRYSE. Dear Sir, i NOT only comply with your requeft, but {hall derive much plea- Ture in imparting to you the knowledge I have obtained in the courfe of twenty years practice in the art of angling, du- ring the early part of which, the frequent opportunities I have met with of col- lecting information from many of the mod experienced of that time, induced A 2 me 'me to commit their hints' to' writing, not \vith any intention of making them pub- lic, but merely to render them condu- cive to my own amufement. The moil delightful part of the art being flill en- veloped in obfcurities that are fufncient- to deter a young artifb from indulging in an amufement apparently fo difficult, I (hall, at your felicitation, arrange thofe hints in the be ft manner in my power, to convey to you the moft ufeful infor- mation on the fubjeft. With thofe which fuccefsful practice has proved to be well advifed, I fhail unite every ufeful difco- vety that has been acquired by my own observation. \Vithout troubling you with any tedious drgreflions, or ufelefs recitals, I fhall en- deavour to remove the apparent difficulties in the art of Fly-fifhing, by explaining a pretended fccret, the pcflcflion of which is fo much beaded of by fomc anglers \vhofe vanity would lead them to be placed above competition, but which in reality is nothing more than a general knowledge knowledge acquired by observation, how to vary or change their flies according to the ieafon, the hour of the day, or the Hate of the water they fifh upon. This is the great and mighty fecret, and I leave it to them to enjoy the delulion. If in the courfe of my communication the hints I give fhall be found by your future experience worthy adoption, it will be an ample gratification to me to hear that you have participated in the enjoyment of them. The difficulties of procuring and pre- paring mateiials for fly-making you will find in a great meafure removed, as I deem it quite unncceHaiy to lead you far from home to piovidc them. The art of pike and trout-trolling, which has hitherto been fo little noticed, though in point of araufement fcarcely excelled by fly-fifhing, I fhall carefully explain, and annex a plate to direct the fize of your hooks, and give, to the beft A3 Of of my power, fuch other information ai tnay enable you to become a complete and a fair angler. I am, Sir, Your moft obedient, Humble Servant, ROBERT SALTER. LETTER LETTER II. To ***** ****** Dear Sir, Before I proceed to in- ftruft you in the different methods of angling, I conceive it to be highly nccei- fary that you become fomewhat acquainted with the difpofitions and appetite* of the inhabitants of that clement which is to be the fcene of your future arrmfement. I (hall therefore defcriba only fuch fifties that are worth an angler's notice, and begin alphabetically with the BLEAK. ALBURN us, of the fpecies of cyprinu.*. A fmall fiih that feldom exceeds five inches ; is found in moil of the largs rivers, has large bright fcalcs, fpawns in March, is a lively fifh, and 'afFoidj ; diverfion in the hot months, in drop, (bit water, generally feeding n:.ir t!i^ lurfaco, where they will take almoft any fmall fly that is call for them ; and are good baits for the pike, B R E A M. BRAMA ; of the fpecies of cypri- nus. A very deep, but thin fifli, the fc'alcs remarkably large, the rays of the fins black j are moftly bred in pools, fwim and feed in (hoals, which focial difpofition is technically termed gregari- ous, they x feldorn exceed three pounds weight. The flefh is infipid and very little efteemcd ; fpawns in June, muft be angled for at the bottom of the deep- eft part of the pool -with either worms, maggots, or fcewed malt. If you bait the ipot a few days before you fifh. your fport will be greatly encreafed. The mornings till ten, and evenings from about fix o'clock will generally be found the beft time to angle for them in fummer, CARP,. CARP. CYPRINUS; of the genus of malacoptc- rj/gii. The order of cyprinus contains nineteen fpecies, the diftingui filing cha- racters of which are, according to Artedi, the branchioffccge membrane on each fide contains three fmall- bones; the mouth is toothlefs except two ferrated bones that are placed near the orifice of the ftomach, which ferveS'inflead of teeth for retaining their food, from whence the term leather- mouthed fi fh is derived. Carp are moftly bred in pools, though fometimes found in the deep, ftill parts of rivers, are deep-bodied, and thick, often grow to fix-teen pounds weight ; the fcalc* are large, and yellow on the fides, the back is afh-colour ; the head fmalJ, with a fmgle barb at each corner of the mouth ; fpawn in July, are in feafon from September to May, and are greatly efleemed. Will live long out of their clement, if taken after fun-fetting in the fummer, or in mild weather in the win- ter; . and may be removed alive in fafety tQ to a great diflance, packed with clean wheat or oat ftraw, in a bafket or cart, which is a far better method of convey- ance for ftoring waters, than in a water barrel, as large fifli by the agitation of the water, will be bruifed againft the fides of the veiTel. Being a (ubtle and wary fifh, great at- tention fliould be obferved in preparing your tackle and baits. The frrull ones generally bite eagerly. In open water you mud angle for them near the bottom, but at mid water among weeds. Ufe a final 1 float, and make your tackle as fine as you dare trull it. They will bite at all hours, ex- cept in the middle of hot days. Their baits 1 fhall defcribe when treating on that head. CHUB. CEPHALUS; of the fpecies of cyprinus. When full grown weighs about eight pounds: is fgund in molt large rivers : in in form he much refembles a trout, ex- cepting his head, which is broader and much fhorter, his fcales are large and bright, the belly-fins red, fpawns in May, and feeds in fhoals. The chub takes all the baits that the trout is fond of in the fummer, and in the cold months, others that wilt be found de- fcribed in their proper places. From the beginning of May to the end of September he is a foft and in- fipid fifh, but in December and Janu- ary is very little, if any, inferior to a Carp ; does not afford the angler fo much diversion as the trout, being fo dull a fifh, that when once hooked is, foon tired. DARE OR DACE. LEUCISCUS , of the fpecies of cyprinus. A fifh that greatly refembles a fmall chub, but is formed much finer at the head; found in moft rivers, is feldom known to weigh above half a pound, fpawns in March, fwims in fhoals, and from 1 ft from about a fortnight after the fpawn- ing feafon takes the fame flies as the trout. Is a foft and infipid fifh in fummer, but in the cold months is much better. EEL. ANGUILLA; of the fpecies of murcrna. The branchioflege membrane on each fide contains ten flender and curved bones ; has a long fmooth flender body, covered with a ftrong fkin, without fcales ; hav- ing but three fin?, two peftoral, and a fingle back fin, which beginning at fome diftance from the head, runs along the back to the tail, and returns again un- derneath as far as the anus. Eels are found in all our rivers and mod' of the pools, and will fometimes weigh fix pounds; they vary in colour from a footy hue to a light olive green, and thofe that are difiinguifhed by their white bellies and afli-colored backs are called filver eels. About the middb of March they fir ft appear, and being very voracious- voracious, devour every thing \vithiil their power, fuch as fmall gudgeons, loaches, minnows, miller's-thumbs, worms, &c, &c. and about the latter end of September retire to hollow banks, roots of trees, mud, weeds, or any other place that will afford them protection in this torpid Hate, as they are not known to take any bait until March. There is an opinion exifting that all eels go to the fea every Michaelmas, and return again in the fpring, but that I am convinced is a miftaken one. Natural- ifts have not yet decided when, or how they fpawn: fome of them inform us they are viviparous, and others that they are oviparous; Ariftotle's opinion was, there is no difference of fox in eels> but that they are u promiicuoufly generated <{ in mud banks from {lime," &c. and many other talcs equally curious are told, but the doctrine of equivocal ge- neration being now fo univcrfally ex- ploded, there is no doubt, that all ani- mals arc produced by the copulation of parents parents like themfelves, which mud fa- tisfy you that although the feafon of their propagation is not yet ascertained, that is not a reafon fufficient to deny the exiftence of it. In rivers the eel bites moft freely when the water is dif- colored, and requires flrong tackle. FLOUNDER. PASSER TLUVIATILIS. A well known broad, flat fifli, found in all the rivers that have an immediate communication with the fea ; feldom exceeds three pounds weight, are without fcales, their flefh firm and much e deemed ; fpawn in May, and fwim in fhoals ; bite freely at all hours of the day, but par- ticularly fo on the rife of the water, taking any finall worm that is call for *hem near the bottom. Flounders are profitable fifh to dock -ponds with, as they foon grow fat, and will live many hours out of the water, confcquently may be carried to a great diftance diilancc, but will not breed \vhen con- fined. GRAYLING. THYMALLUS; of the fpecies of Salmo. A river fifh that in figure nearly rc- fembles the dace, but is ralher finer at the nofe and near the tail, which is much forked; are rarely feen above four pounds weight, fpawn in April, and are in the greatefl perfeftion in October, at which time they are the only kind wor- thy a fly-fifher's notice, and their flavor is highly eRcemed. The fcales are ra- ther large which in the fummer months are bright, divided by lateral lines, in- terfperfcd with black fpots, the pofterior dorfal fin is adipofc. At the approach of the cold feafon their backs become darker, and the fides and gills lofe their brightness, become clouded with brown fhades, and, contrary to all other fifh, are lead beautiful when mo ft in feafon. In the fummer they take all the flies that the trout are fond of, and delight B in -in the fame dream?, but in September retire in fhoals to the lower end of ftill bays, juffc where the water becomes fhallow, where they will take a fly at -the top, but if you angle below the fur face it Ihould be as near to the bot- tom as pofTible, \vith a maggot, wafp- grub, or fmall red worm. GUDGEON. Of the fp-ecies of cyprinus. A fmall river fiih about five inches Icrg, has large bright fcales interfperfcd with black fpots, fmall head, a fingle barb at each corner of the mouth, is a gccd fla- vored fifh, but very bony; fpawns in Mav, is found invariably in flioals, and ir.uft be angled for near the bottom with fine tackle baited wi:h fmall \vcrms or maggots. L O A C H. OR G R O U N D L I N G. COBITIS; of the genus of malcccplcry-, cii : diflinguiihcd by having foft fins that are not prickly. A fmall fifh that rarely exceeds three inches in length, without without fcales, has three barbs at the mouth; fpawns in April, and never moves far from the bottom^ unlefs when dfflurbed, where they may be taken-, with a fin all worm, nuot. or codbait, , ' O .D ' M I L L E R's T H U M B. COTTUS; of the genus of acaLntkoptc* difHngulfhcd by having fix offi- cles in the bran.chioiTejc membrane. The 1 head is prickly and broader than the body, which fcldom exceeds three inches in length, a dilproportion which forms a very unpleafant appearance ;r :is in April, is found in gravelly brooks and rivers, always at the bottom, and chiefly under large flones, where they may be eafily taken with fmall worms, &c. M I N N O W. Of the fpecies of cy fir in us. A fmall fidi about three inches long, has finall fcales, fpawns in May, bites freely all hours of the day about mtdwater, at fmall worms, maggots, codbaits, &c. B 2 moflly jnoftly frequenting eddies, where they are generally found in fhoals. My principal reafon for mentioning the minnow, loach, and miller's thumb,, was to inform you how you may fup- ply yourfclf with baits for trout-trolling. I am, Sir, Your's, &c. R. S* LETTER L E T T E R III. r o ***** ****** Dear Sir, P E A R C H. PERCA; of the genus of thoradd. Th6 diftinguifhing characters are, the bran- chioflege membrane contains feven bones, and the ventral fins placed under the pe&oral: The pearch is a delicate eating fifh, moftly bred in pools, but often found in the deep parts of large rivers ; hog- backed, on which are placed two fins, the rays of the dorfal are very ftrong and fharp. Notwithstanding the defence this formidable weapon may enable them to make, the pike will as eagerly take thsm as any other fmall fifh. The poflo rior fin is extremely foft and* flexible, the peftoral and ventral fins red ; they h^ve five dark {hades that crofs their B backs backs to ths middle of their fides, the fcales arc large, firm, and ferrated, the- mouth rather fmall, and their jaws rough; feldom exceeding five pounds in weight ; {pawn in May, foon after which feafon they afford great diverfion from five o'clock in the morning until nine, and from three in the afternoon until i'unfet, but in winter the middle of the day is the- proper time to angle for them. The bed baits in fummer are large worms, minnows, and fmall fry, when you bait with either of the latter, put your hook under the back fin, and it will remain alive a long time. In the winter they take codbaits, maggots, and pafte; generally feed in fhoals, and muft be angled for about mid water with ilrong tackle and a large float, they do not fwallow the bait quick, therefore fome time mud be given them before you ftrike f PIKE 2i PIKE. Lucius ESOX; of the genus of abdo'--* muialcs : the diftinguiiliing chura&er is tlu ventral fins being placed behind the pectoral. A very fierce and ravenous fifh, whofb body is rather long, tru* head broad and flat, terminating in the form of a duck's beak, the mouth re- markably wide, the upper and lo wet- jaws armed with a tripple row of flrong. an 1 fliarp teeth, nor does the tongue, which is large and flat, appear lefs ter- rible, it being covered with ftrong re- taining teeth quite to the orifice of t!ic ftomach, the back appears of a green iftt Cdfb irregularly iluided with y ftrioes, which have, when they are ftrfl: taken, a beautiful appearance, the {hades continue down the ful:s, but are lefs- diftinft, and the dorfal fm is placed lo\v on the back. The pike fpawn in March, at which feafon they retire to weeds, ditches, or any other quiet place, where if not difturbed they will continue a week 6r ten days, which grants a fnoit ref- pue to the fcaly race, for during that time they will not take any bait. They are remarkable for longevity, and many have been caught above thirty pounds weight. ROACH. CARASSIUS; of the fpecies of cyprinus. A fifh bred in rivers and ponds, formed very deep but thin, feldom exceeds a pound and half weight, the fcalcs are large and bright, head finall, large eyes and the iris reel; fpawns in May. but arc not in lealon until September, from which time to April they are good fifli. They take fmall worms, pafles, and maggots under water, but never rife at a ily. SALMON. SAL MO; of the genus of malacopterygil. The branchiollege membrane on each fide contains twelve bones. The falmon is a fifti univerfally and defervedJy in high eftimatioru eftimation, bred in frefh water, but fpend much of their time in the Tea ; beautifully formed, fliarp at the nofe, and broadeft at the dorfal fin, from -whence they gradually become finer to- wards the tail, which is forked ; the poflerior fin is adipofc, their teeth are flrong though not numerous; are in the greatcfb perfection from January to July, at which time their backs are afh-color, belly and fides delicately white interfper- icd with black fpots, and their fcales mo- derately large. As they go out of feafon their fpots gradually become red, the gill-covers red, brown, and yellow, form- ing an unhealthy appearance, and the fides and belly become irregularly clou- ded with dufky {hades. As rivers differ fome weeks in their feafons all falmon do net go out at the fame time ; they generally fpawn in No- vember, the fry from which in March following are about five inches long, at which time, they being lively fifli af- ford the angler great diverfion, with.. imall. frfcall. flies, worms, codbaits, and mag. gots. The falmon are reftlefs fifh. never re- maining long in one *place. As foon as the fry are grown flrong enough to at- tempt a removal, which is generally a- bout the middle of April, they take the earlieft opportunity that high water af- fords to make their fir ft excurfion to the fea, and in Auguft following return to the rivers, having grown in that fhort time to one or two pounds weight each. The difficulties winch they will fur- mount as their fpawning fcafon approac li- es to get up to the tops of rivers, is a- ftonifhing, and their efforts to get over weirs and cataracts almoft incredible. Having arrived ,in fhallow water they there meet their greateft foe and become an eafy prey to every lurking poacher, who, not regarding their worthlefs con- dition, with nets, fpears, and fires at- tack, arid deflroy them by day and ni^ht night, which in fome rivers nearly exter- minates the fpecies. I have read of their having been caught in " bajkets tied to the ends of poles," and of " women catching them in their aprons^ and thefe marvellous tales are flill told ferioufly, but am convinced I need not point out the abfurdity of them, Salmon have been caught above forty pounds weight, but how long they are at- taining that fize, is, I believe, impofliblc to determine, as they mud return to the fait water foon after fpawning, or they will pine and die. SAMLET, OR B R A N L I N. SALMULUS ; of the fpecies of falmo. A fmall fifh, highly efteemed, rarely ex- ceeds fix inches in length, is found in all rivers where falmon go up to fpawn, but never in any other, yet are clearly different fiih, as they never quit the frcfh water. Very much referable fmall trout, except their color, having five ; fi.a'cs that crofs their backs, with two red fpots in each; their belly and fides white; the poftenor fin fpawn in October, and are in m from March to September. They eagerly take all tlic fmall bails that the 4 rout is partial to, frequent the moft rapid dreams, and afford the angler .great divcrfion, T E N C H. TIVCA: of the ipecies of cypriims, Is rarely found in rivers, being fo cafily caught \vith nets, that they have but Ji'ttle chance of acquiring a good fizc there, but when bred in pools that are protected from the depredation of poach- ers by the authority of the owners, "they often grow to fix or fcven pounds weight. Their form is fhort, deep, and thick, with fmall fcales, the back Xifh, the belly and the fides gold color; they are greatly and defervedly efteemedj being in flavor inferior to none. The tench was formerly ftiled the Phy- Jidan Jician of fiflies, and the opinion is handed down to the prefent day, of a fuppofed " natural balfam which he carries about c; him, that will cure both himfelf and " others."* I cannot pcrfuadc myfelf to give fuch an opinion a ferious thought, unlefs his commentators will either prove it 'by analyfis, or produce his diploma. Every different fpecies being enemies to each other, it cannot be fuppofed that a fifli fa timid as the tench, would paffively admit the approach of the pike, for even the gregarious kinds will not endure a famili- arity with ~each other at any time except in the fpawning feafon. The tench fpawn in July, and are in. feafon from Auguft to June. Mud be angled for near the bottom, where they bite freely at all the fmall baits that you Avill find directed for pool-iifhing, TROUT. TRUTTA ; of the fpecies of malaccpte* rygii. A fifh well known in almoft every jivcr in Great Britain, Thofe that are u caught caught in rapid A reams generally cut white, but thofc that are taken in flow, overload them, with feather. As a falmon is much more whimfical in his feeding than a trout, it is fome- times impoflible to make a fly too gay for him, therefore I fhall confine myfelf to feven, which have been proved to be good ones, and leave the variation o their color to your own, fancy. The feafon generally commences ia April, therefore I fhall begin with ITie BROWN FLY. Its wings are made with the long gold color feather of the cock pheafant's tail ; the body, of the fur of a hare's neck, mixed with one third of its quantity of the fine hair of a brown cow. In bright weather, gold twift is often added with fucccfs, over which wrap a red cock's hackle. The feather of the tail of a copper-color turkey cock, is a tolerable fubllitute for the pheafant's feather. The BLUE FLY. Its wings are made of the (haded fea- ther of the hen pheafant's tail ; the body of peacock's oil, with a pale red hackle over it. The KfXG's F IS HER. The wings of this fly are made with the feather of a heron's tail, or the tail of a blue, turkey ; the bod), of the ereeneft part of a peacock's oil : that whi which is procured from about the eye. of the feather is the beft. over which wrap a feather of an heron 's creflj or a black cock's hackle. The PRIME DUN. The wing's are made with a light he- ron's feather, the body of hedge hog's fur, with a light dun hackle over it. The GREAT PALMER. The wings are made with the feather of a cock pheafam's tail ; the body, of peacock's orl, with a red hackle that is black at the roots, over it. This fly is '.. often varied with gold, and fornetimes lilver twiftj with great fuccefs. The GOLDEN PHEASANT. The wings are made with the feather of a cock pheafani's tail ; the body, of orange color lk, ribbed with peacock's orl, and a ginger hackle over it. The GREY MALLARD. The wings are made with the grey feather j feather of a mallard ; the body, which is very {lender, of equal quantities of white rabbit and hedge-hog's fur, well mixed, and a light grizzle cock's hackle over it. As the feafon for falmon fifhing varies on different rivers, it is impofiible to date the time of ufing each fly, with pre- CKI n. efpecially for a fifh fo unftcady in his feeding. Thofc which I have enu- merated are arranged in the order they make their appearance. The brown fly appears with the com- mencement of the feafon in April, and affords the moft fport till September, when the grey mallard appears, which is then the bed fly to the end of the I am, Sir, Your's, <&c. LETTER. LETTER XIV, To ***** ****** Dear Sir, Having compleated. an account of all the flies within my knowledge, that are worth your atten-. tion, it now remains for me to direct the bed method of making them. Though an art fo fimple in itfelf, it appears extremely complex to make one by the defciiption; -and I am convinced that you would learn more on feeing a fingle fly made by an expert artift, than in reading a volume on the fubjeft ; which has often led me to think, that the cuf- lom of giving directions t: would te " more honored in. the breach than the " obfervance." Having never feen this fubjecl parti- cularifed to my fatisf action, I (hall carefully defcribe the different methods that ; -J!L 'that I was taught by a very intelligent angler, near twenty years fmce, and \v hat experience ha convinced me I can derive no advantage by changing. To MAKE an HACKLE. Having fele&ed your materials, cut off Till the fuperfluous parts of the hackl-j, fo as to have no ufe for the fciffars after the fly is made, except to cut off the remaining part of the ftem, and the fdk ; place the hook upon the gut, hold- ing the upper end of the fiiank betxveen the fore-finger and thumb of your left hand, fallen the end of the gut by three turns of the filk; then !hold the hook by the bent, and whip it neatly up to the top of the fhank, where you fhould whip two turns around the gut alone, to prevent its galling. Place the hackle with the root end down the fhank, and fafcen it with two turns of the filk ; rext take the dubbing and whip it neatly down the fhank, fecuring it with one knot on the place you began ;' take hold of the point of the hackle, whip H it it down the body until it is oppofite the 'point of the hook, there fatten it, -and your fly is complete. When frnall, or tender hackles arc ufed, fuch as partridge's or woodcock's, they may be whipped three or four times around the upper end of the fhank, and there fattened ; after which drefs the body down to its proper place, and fatten it. If an hackle is fo fhort that you cannot conveniently hold it, tic a piece of wa^ed (ilk to it. To make a FLY with WINGS. Whip your hook as before directed, lay the feather you have provided for the wings upon the fhank, with the points towards the bent, the roots arc confecjuently upwards; fatten it on the top of the fhank firmly by four or five turns of the filk ; raife the feather from the fhank, and divide it in two equal parts ; then bring back between the wings, the root ends of the feather, and fatten them. Drcfs your dubbing to the pro- per length of the body, and fatten it. Where Where WINGS and HACKLE are ufect. When the vings are fecured, whip the root end of the hackle clofe below them, then lap the dubbing one third the length of the body, hold the fillc tight between the fecond and. third fin- gers, while you twitt the hackle to that place, there fatten it, and then &* the body. I am. Sir, Your's, &c. R. S, K ar. LETTER LETTER XV Dear Sir, Except the trout, the pike affords the angler more di- verfion than any other fifh ; and the various methods that have been inven- ted to take him, are fuiiicient to con- vince you that the ingenuity of fportfmen has been attentively employed in making him contribute his {hare to their ainufe- ment. He is a powerful fifh, \vhofe flrength is only equaled by his rapacity, there- fore you cannot provide a rod that is manageable, too ftiff, nor a line, pro- vided it is fine, too flrong for him. Any fmall fifh from two to five oun- ces, may be ufed for a bait, fuch as trout, famletj gudgeon, roach, dace, bleak, pearch r pcarch, &c'. &c. As he does not bite fo eagerly foon after pawning, as when the fummer is a little advanced, the befl method to begin the feafon with, is SNAP FISHING. (WITH A DEAD BAIT.) Fix a ftrong fwivel (fee plate, fig. III.) to your line with a fpring loop at one end, to fatten the bottom link to, which muft be made of gimp; to one end of which, whip a ftrong hook whofe bent is near an inch diameter; (fig. II.) to the other end whip three fmall hooks triangularly, place the hook and triangle level with each other, then whip the top of the link fo as to form a loop pro- per to p it on t!ie fwivel, over which a cap of lead ( fig. II. ) at lead half an ounce weight. To bait it, thruft the large hook through the mouth, and out between, the eyes of the bait, again taro ugh the mouth, and oat at the tail * then gently c!ra little injury to the bait, that it will live many hours. When a pike takes your bait the float generally dlfappears, from which time allow him about a minute before ypbi ftrikc. The beft depth for this method is about midwater, It It .may not be improper in this place* to defcribe the bed fituation for this atnufcment. Fix on a place in deep water that is not within twenty -yards of any weeds that grow to the furface ;, drive down two parallel rows of piles, at a diftance wide enough to receive a boat, obferving that the piles are not left fo high as the boat's fides, or they will be extremely troablefome, by fre- quently entangling your lines. When the willow tree is full leaved, weave or plafh its branches between the piles.. This grove (as it is called) will entice the fmall fifh to fport about it, which,, together with the fhade it afijrcs, fcems to invite the pike there both for food and fhelter, There is a double hook manufactured to ufe a live bait with, called a fpring fnap, that expands itfelf in the a6l of ftriking a fifh, which in my opinion is more a mechanical contrivance than an ufeful invention, I fhall therefore fay no more about it, Snap Snap fifhing cannot be confidcred the* fafeft method of catching pike, becaufe many are milled in finking. It is only to be prefered to the dead gorge at that time when they have not recovered their appetites after f pawn ing ; confequently. I only recommend the practice of it. to the latter end of May, after which time to the end of December no method cxcells the DEAD GORGE, Which is made with a large fingle or double hook whipped to gimp, and wel.L. leaded on the fhank (fee fig. VII.) with a loop on the top of it to receive the fwivel, which muft be inferted through the bait's mouth, and out at its tail, pis all fifli {wallow their baits head foremoft.) Draw it gently down, until the mouth is at the bent of the hook, then place it in a proper pofitlon, and. whip its tail firmly to the gimp. When a pike takes the bait, make no refinance, but permit him to go wher- ever ever he chufes to take it, for now it is that he challenges your patience mod; as fometimes he will remain a quarter of an hour before he gorges it ; during which time, do not difturb him, but wait until he moves again, which you will readily difcover by the motion of the line; then wind it up until you feel him, when he muft be ftruck fmartly, and you are fure of him, if the tackle holds. You fhould be provided with a wire needle fi'x inches dong, with an open, loop at one end, to bait the hooks, which may be cairied in }our book. Laying BEAGLES, or FLOATERS, Which, on large pools, affords fir on- ger exercife, and greater variety of a- mu(ement, than any other part of pool fifhing. The floater mud be feven inches di- ameter, made of flat cork, or any light wood, turned round, with a groove in the the edge larore enough to receive a fine whipcord line, twelve yards long; or at lead three yards longer than the pool is deep. A fmall peg, fixed in the centre, two inches long, with a notch cut in the end of it. A fmall double hook, fixed to a brafs wire link, which is generally called a trimmer; to bait which, take a live fifh, from two to four ounces, and with the point of the hook, make a fmall incifiori in the fkin on its fide, near the gills, through which thrufl the wire, then carefully force it under the fkin to the vent ; draw the bait along it until the {hank of the hook is covered; in which flate it will live twenty-four hours. Faften one end of the line fecurely to the floater, and wind it around the edge of it, tie the other end to the loop in the wire, then fatten the line flightly in the notch of the peg, to pre- vent the bait running it out of the groove, leaving about four feet out for the bait to fink with, Put Put it out on the windward fide of the pool, and if not taken as it is blown acrofs, it muft be returned again. SALMON and TROUT TROWLI\ T G. Commences in March, and is prac- tifcd with good fucccfs, all hours of the day, the whole feafon, with any fmcill fry for a bait ; but thofe which are mo ft prefered are, the loach and tninncw. From the middle of April to the end of Auguft, the greateft diverfion is found from three o'clock in the Afternoon, until it is dark, when the bed niK are takjn, particularly .in deep dreams. It requires a flrong rod, though not quite fo ftiff as what is ufed for pike fifhing ; the longer it is, the better, provided it be not too heavy. You cannot, with any pleafure fifh without a reel, as yr>u meet with fuch frequent 'Gccaficxns to alter the length of the line. About About eighteen inches of fi.rong gut, or indian weed, fhould be put to the end of the line, twifted three fold^ \vith a fwivel, (fig. V.) to fix the bottom link upon, with four or five duck {hot, fplit, and fattened on it. To make the bottom links, there are tv. r o di(lint methods; one is precifely the fame form of the firft link which J have defcribed for pike trolling, only varying the fize of the hooks, (fig. VI.) The other method is, to faften with a. knot, the link that the triangle is whipped to, about half an inch above the large hook, (fig. I.) which muft be thrufl in the bait's mouth once only, and out at its tail. As it has nothing now to prevent its being wafhed down the {hank of the hook, by the force of the dream, one hook of the triangle mull be fixed in the bait's fide, which, when drawn to ;s proper place, will retain it fecurely. 1 The ICO The lafl method I recommend to you an clear flreams, becaufe the link is iingle ; whereas in the fir ft, it is un- avoidably double. There are many other methods prac- tifed, but I am convinced, \vhen once you become expert in either of thefe, you will not derive the leaft advantage from changing them. It is not unufual to take large chub, and fmall pike, by this method of ang- ling, in flreams that thofe nflies fre- quent. J am. Sir, Your's, &c, R. S. LETTER, 101 LETTER XVI. To ***** ******* Dear Sir, Worms arc the mofb natural baits, under water, for almofh every fifh, inftances having occured even of pike taking them. Muft be preferved and cleanfed in. moderately dry mofsy in a cool place in the fummer, and out of the reach of froffc in the winter. The more mofs you make ufe of, and oftener it is changed, the longer they will live, as they cannot bear being cxpofed to the air. The largefl is the LOB, or DEW WORM. Which is found by turning up foil) paiticularly in 'old gardens, fallow fields, and early in the morning -may be ta- ken upon the furface of grafs fields. \V 7 hen ; by crawling about, thofe that i & mee to* meet with a cow, or horfe dung, will creep under it, and there remain as long as it contains moifture enough to prote6l them from the intenfe heat; which fituation changes their color, par- ticularly about the head, to a dark pur- ple; which appearance has given birth to an opinion among anglers, that it is a di(lir6t fpecies, and they have confequently given it the name of the, peacock worm. It is a good bait for falmon, trout, pearch, chub, and eels, particularly in inuddy water. The RED WORM, Is found in all loamy foils ; may be gathered by following a plow, turning up garden foil, and under boards, bricks, flates, tiles, {tones, &c. &c. that have lain undiflurbed a fhort time. This worjn- has feveral names, that vary with its 'color, which ; different il- tuations will alter. It is a good bait in clear water fngly, but when the wa*~ tei i^ difcolored, two are preferable, par- ticularly for trout. When two worms are ufed, the hook fhould be- thruft through the knot of that which is to remain uppermoft, and \vhen forced through only one third of its body, muft be drawn to the top of the (hank until the wire is covered, and it will remain fecure ; then treat the fecond in the fame maaner, observing to reverfe. the end that you begin at, and the knot being held by the barb, they will remain lufficiently firm.- The BRANDLING, or GILT-TAIL, Is a beautiful little worm, dark at the head, becoming gradually paler to- wards the tail; which is decorated with bright ycllo\v circles, that diftinguifh. it from all other reptiles of this clafs ; and from whence the name gilt-tail is derived. They are found in old dunghills, old^ 104 kot beds, efpecially where tanner's bark has been uied, and,., often in tanner's bark, alone, provided it has lain fliil a fufBcient time to rot. From the beginning of May, to the middle of September, it is the befb worm that can be ufed; and what few fifh, when on feed, will refufe. It is therefore uncecea.-uy to dwell longer on this part of the fubjeft, by amufmg you with an ufelcfs lift of worthleis reptiles, when the few that arc feletled have been found by experience, to anfwer every purpofe, To prepare your tackle for worm fifh- Ing in dreams; a fmall piece of mufic wire fhould be whipped to the upper end of the {hank of the hook, to keep the bait in a proper poiition. No pre- cife direction can be given for leading your line, as- it depends fo much on its length, the depth of the ftrcarn, and the rapidity of the current; the bait fhould fink quick; and Efh near the bottom; ; 105 bottom. If your line is over-leadedj you will find it extremely troublefome, as the hook will frequently be entangled with whatever it meets at the bottom, fuch as ftones, roots of trees, bufhes, &c. &c. The fize of the hook and bait, mud be governed by the brightneis of the ft ream : for trout fifhing I do not re- commend a hook larger than No. 2 3 or fmaller than No. 5 ; but for falmon, pcarch, and large chub, I prefer a hook No, i. I am, Sir, Your's, &c* R. S 9 LETTER LETTER XVII. To ***** ****** Dear Sir, COD-BAIT FISHING, On the top of the water, has beetr defer ibed in a former letter. It is a good bait about mid water, and near the bottom in clear dreams, on a hook No* 8, whipped to fine gut, light- ly fhotted. Many anglers in preparing their hooks for cod-bait fifhing, prefer the {hank being leaded, to a {hot on the line, which is a method I cannot approve, being but a tender bait, the lead renders it almoft impoffible to be drawn neatly over the fhank. When -ufed in flill water, a fmall float is ne- ceflfary. There are a great variety of thefe in- {efts, and many of the belt flies that fie-- frequent the rivers are produced from them. Some are found among the the weeds in flanding waters, which are generally tinged green, inclofed in a very rough {hell; but that which is mod ufeful to an angler, is found in ftony brooks, or gravelly rivulets, clofe- ly adhering to any folid fubftance it finds at the bottom; though fometimes among the loofe gravel, with the thtca % or hufk, around them, and regularly covered with fand^ or very fine gravel. When taken out of the water, they may be preferved a month, by putting them in a woollen bag, with, or with- out mofs, upon a cool floor. If the bag fhould become too dry, care mud be taken not to ufe too much water to damp it again, as thefe infe&s cannot endure their native element, after they have been taken from it four days ; fUll they muft not be expofed to the othei- extreme. MAGGOT 10$ MAGGOT FISHING, Corrrriences as foon as the froft dif- appears in the fpring, and is a good bait in open weather, every month in the year. Maggots are produced from all kinds of animal flefh, which may be hung in a remote place, and under it put a tub with a little bran or dry fand in, (the latter of thefe I prefer, provided the earth, or loam is wafhed from it]; and in a few days you will find a plenti- ful fupply of baits ; a fucceffion of which will continue near a month. When the carrion will not produce more, re- place it immediately with frelh, as a mag- got in the hot months, will become a fly in three weeks after its firfh appear- ance. It is ufed for the fame purpofes as the cod-bait, and is eagerly taken by all kinds of fifti that take fmall baits. Maggots generated in Oftober, will ; live live through the winter, at which time grayling, chub, carp, tench, pearch, roach, and dace, are in perfection, and may be enticed to any part of a pond to feed, Sy fufpending a piece of carrion at the end of a pole, over the fpot that you wifh the .fifties to frequent. It is not unufual to bait particular places with worms, maggots, grains, Hewed malt, clay bails, clotted blood, &c. but that method is not only trou- blefome, but you are liable to be de- ceived by the neglect of fervants ; ad- mitting their punctuality, the fifh would naturally become fonder of a fpot where they can peaceably enjoy their food, which is continually dropping to them, than where they are often difturbed by being fed at dated intervals. Thofe anglers whofe fituation is con- tiguous to a tallow chandler's, may at almoft any time, provide themfelves with plenty of thcfe baits, * 10 _ The WASP GRUB. In July, Auguft, and September, from a wafp's neft you may provide yourfelf plentifully with good baits for dvery kind of fifn that will take maggots and cod-baits. In procuring which, it will be neceflfary to guard yourfelf againft the refentment of the furious inhabitants, by introducing a lighted gunpowder fquib in- to the neft;, about the dufk of evening, then ftop the hole clofe, and let it re- main in .that ftate half an hour, when you may dig . out the comb without danger of being flung ; it muft then be baked before a moderate fire, with a tin bonnet behind it, which makes the baits tough, ajid blackens their ends* The COW-DUNG BAIT. Is found from the beginning of June, to the end of Auguft, arnong the drop- pings from cattle in dry pafhures ; it far excels either the cod-bait or mag- got, during its fhort ftay, and mufl be ufed for the fame purpofes. Ill In ili-ape, it refembles a maggot, but its color is much brighter; it is ex- tremely tough, confcquently a lading bait. CABBAGE WORMS, Are of different colors, fome of them are green, fome are grey, and others ipeckled, varying in color according to the fpecies that produced them. .They are ufeful baits in the hot months, for trout, chub, carp, tench, roach, and dace; are procured by fhaking oak, and afli trees, hazle bufh- cs, and upon cabbage leaves; mufh be n fed on the top, upon dreams, and mid- water in pools. Being tender baits, re- quire fome attention to fix them neatly on the book. The changes which this infccl: expe- riences in its gradation from the egg to the butterfly, are fo numerous, that you muft be made acquainted with them, as tthe aurelia itfelf is not furpaffed by any --winter bait. The cabbage worm is produced from an egg dropped by the butterfly, from which it paffes into the aurelia or chri- rfalis ftate, wherein it remains immovea- bly fixed to one fpot during the win- .ter; while in that ftate it takes no fuf- tenance. Its covering in this .middle ftate, between the caterpillar aqd butter fly, is cartilaginous; its figuie, conical. The fucceeding fpring this included infect has acquired a fufficicnt degree of ftrength to burft its cell ; when, fplitting its wintry coat from one end to the other, a perfel butterfly in- ilantly appears. The GRASS HOPPER. Is generally found about the mowing feafon, and continues until it is deftroy- ed by frofty nights. It is eagerly ta- ken by almofl every fifh in clear ftreams about midwater, on a hook No. 6, with fine gut, and one fmail fhot. The The CRICKET. The common houfe cricket is ufed Ln the fame manner, and for the fame- pur pofcs, as the grafs hopper, with this advantage, it is readily procured in winter and fpring.. I am, Sir, Your's, &c. R. S, * 2 LETTER LETTER XVIII. Dear Sir, Almofl every experien- ced angler, who ufes pafle, has his pe- culiar method of preparing it; to defcribe every one which J have feen ufed, would far exceed the bounds of my plan ; therefore I fliali only mention a few, lhat I have proved to be good ones, and what you may with fafety rely on. SALMON PASTE. Take one pound of female falmon fpawn, about September or October, boil it about fifteen minutes, beat it in a mortar until fufficiently mixed, with an ounce of fait, and a quarter of an ounce of falt-petre, carefully pick out the membrane as you find it difen- gaged; gaged. When it is beat to a propn?f ' confidence, put it into cups, or galli- pots, over which tie a piece of blad- der clofe, and it wilt keep good many, months. SHRIMP PASTE. Is prepared precifely by the fame me- thod as falmon pafle, obferving to fe- parate the folid part from the (hell, be- fore it is put into the mortar. PASTE, to catch CHUB and CAR? in the WINTER. Beat ftrong chefhire cheefe, mixed wish cotton wool, to pafle; if it is too moifl, temper it with wheat flour; if too dry, moiflen it with honey. The bait fhould be formed about the fizc and (hape of a fmali acorn. PASTE 'to catch PIKE BAITS. Mix four ounces of fine wheat flour with a little cotton wool; the whites of two eggs, and a very fmall quantity of vermillion, or red lead. K 3 This- This pafte fhould not be made above one day before it is ufed. MALT BAIT, Is not excelled by any of the above paftes, for final! fifh, if proper care be taken in preparing it. To a q lart of ground malt, put two quarts of water; place it in a fituation where it will j ifl fimmer; in about four hours the water is generally abfor- befl by the malt, when the fkin fepe- rates, and then it is fit for ufe. It muft not be prepared long befi^re it is ufed, as in a few hours it will become four. Having now, I truft, difcharged my promife, I (hall clofe this iubjeft with a few aphorifms, the efficacy of which J have practically proved. i. Indian weed, and filk-worm guf. are bed preferved in a piece of bladder or oiled paper, 2, Hook$ "7 2. Hooks may be protected from ruft by the fame method, A fmall flice of camphor put to your fur, and a little ground pepper among your feathers, will prevent either being deftroyed by moths or other vermin. 3. If, while angling, you obferve a fifh rife at a natural fly, caft your's as near to the fpot as poilible, without faffering it to remain dill, for by keep- ing it in motion, the fifh that fee it are rendered eager to take it, and the deception cannot be fo eafily difco- vercd. 4. You feldom need caft your fly twice on one place if a trout is dif- pofed to take your bait, he generally rifes the inftant that he difcovers it. 5. The befl baits that can be ufed in a morning, for trout, before the flies appear, are the minnow, loach, and worm; particularly after a light night. 6. If 6. If a fhower, or any accident, fwells the joints of your rod, fo as to* prevent their being drawn afunder with- out draining them, apply a lighted can- dle to the upper part of the ferrules, until they ate warmed the joints will then readily feperate. 7. A South, or Weft wind, with a- cloudy atmolphere, is always favorable to an angler's fyort a North,, or Eaft wind, with a bright fky, the reverfe. 8. Trout fifhing, wu.h a worm, is praftifed with the greateft fucceis at the commencement of a flood and fly fifhing, as foon as the water is become clear enough. . g. If ever you find the trout rife- fhort, and refufe your bait, be aflfured that it is not exactly the color of the fly they are in fearch of; for fuch are their difcriminating powers, that if the bait varies but a fhade from the natural fly, they will, when the water is clear refufe rcfufe it ; from which, you will readi- ly infer, that it is necefiary an angler fhould apply a fmall portion of his lea- lure hours to the .ftudy of nature before he can poffefs a claim to fuperiority in this art fuch an amufement, is in itfelf, inflruftive, rational, and not confidered beneath the notice of the bed informed: yet, by a little attention to the inflruc- tions that may be found in thefe letters, you may very foon become proficient enough to enfure yourfelf a day's fuc- cefsj when the elements are not unfa-* vorable ; the directions they contain fyeing all deduced from pra&ife. I am, Sir, Your mod obedient, Humble Servant, ROBERT SALTER* INDEX, INDEX. A, ^Bdominales, what Acanthopterygii, what Aphorifms Aurelia Beagles, or floaters Bleak, natural hiftory of Brandlin, or gilt-tail Bream, natural hiftory of Cabbage worm Camlet fly Carp, natural hiftory of Caterpillars Chub, natural hiftory of Cod-bait, where found how preferved with artificial wings Cow-dung bait fly Cricket 121 Dace, natural hiftory of it Dead gorge 95 Down fly 54 Dubbing for flies, how procured 41 Dun fly 45 Eels, natural hiftory of 12 miflaken opinion refpe&ing their propagation, expoied 1 3 Feathers, for fly making 39 Flies, and droppers, diftinguifhed 36 Fly making defcribed 87 Flounder, natural hiftory of 14 Gnat, black 55 blue 70 green 65 Grafs hopper 112 Gravel fly 52 Grayling, natural hiftory of 15 Green drake Go Gregarious, term explained Grey drake 62 Gudgeon, natural hiftory of 16 Gut, injured by flaming 37 Hawthorn fly 55 Hooks, how to chufe 38 Indian weed 35 Iron blue fly 57 Lady Lady cows . 68 Lines 35 Loach, natural hiftory of 16 Lob, or dew worm lOi Maggot fifhing 108 Malacopterygii, what 22 Malt bait 116 March brown 48 Mario buz 45 Millei's thumb, natural hiftory of 17 Minnow, natural hiftory of 17 Murena, what 12 N ight flies 7 7 Oak fly 65 Orange fly 54 Orl fly 59 F alles 1 1 4 Peacock fly 51 Pearch, natural hiftory oF 19 Phyfician of fifhes, hypothecs doubted 27 Tike, natural hiftory of 21 Red fly 7 2 Re! worm 102 Roach, natural hiftory of 22 Rods 30 Salmon, natural hiftory of 22 Salmon Salmon flies . 83 frv, defcription of 23 their favorite flies 73 Samlet, natural hiflory of 25 Sand fly 52 Shell fly 67 Silk 42 Snap fifhing, for pike 91 vvith live baits 93 Squirrel fly 69 Stone fly 46 Tench, natural hiftory of 26 Thoracici, what 19 Trout, natural hiftory of 27 . trolling 9& , worm fifhing for 104 Wafp grub no Willow fly 58 Wood-pecker fly 66 Wood, proper for top-rods 31 Worms 101 Yellow palmer fly 69 PRINTED BY J f SALTERj OSWESTRY* ERRATA. Page 12, line 23, for is a, read - 48, ig, for arife, read 01298