THE 
 
 ART OF ANGLING 
 
 GREATLY IMPROVED: 
 
 COXTAINrS'G 
 THE MOST ESTEEMED METHODS OF ATfGLING FOU 
 
 POND AND RIVER PISH; 
 
 THE BAITS FOR EACH, AKD HOW TO OBTAIN 
 AND PRESERVE THEM; 
 
 THE CHOOSING OF RODS AND TACKLE; 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 IXSTEUCTIONS IX EYEEY BRANCH OF 
 
 FLY-FISHING, 
 
 AND FOE THE MAKCiG OF FLIES. 
 
 DERBY: 
 TRO^JAS RICHARDSON ANL 
 
 172, FLEET ST. LONDON, 
 AND 9, CAPEL STREET, DUBLIN. 
 
 Price Sixpence.
 
 THE 
 
 ART OF ANGLING 
 
 GREATLY IMPROVED 
 
 CONTAINING 
 THE MOST ESTEEMED IMETITODS OF ANGLING FOR 
 
 POND AND RIVER FISH; 
 
 THE BAITS FOR EACH, AND HOW TO OBTAIN 
 AND PRESERVE THEM 
 
 THE CHOOSING OF RODS AND TACKLE; 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS IN EVERY BRANCH OF 
 
 FLY-FISHING, 
 
 AND FOR THE MAKING OF FLIES. 
 
 DERBY: 
 THOMAS RICHARDSON AND SON; 
 
 172, FLEET ST. LONDON, 
 
 AND 9, CAPEL STREET, DUBLIN. 
 
 184B
 
 THE MOST FAVOURABLE SEASONS FOR 
 ANGLING. 
 
 In summer, calm, clear, 01% which is pre- 
 ferable, cool, cloudy weather, the wind blow- 
 ing gently, so that your angling instrument? 
 jiay be used with ease and facility. 
 
 When a sudden violent shower has slightly 
 raised the mud in the river, and it appears 
 of a whey colour, then angle with a red 
 worm at the ground, and good sport will be 
 obtained. 
 
 In Marc}]pr4^^t^i.^^i^piijg of April wxd
 
 at the latter end of September, and during 
 the whole of the winter, the fish bite best 
 in the warmth of the day, when no wind is 
 stirring and the air quite clear. During the 
 summer months the morning and the even- 
 ing are the best, or in cool, cloudy weather. 
 
 Fish rise best at the fly after a shower 
 that has not raisecVthe mud of the river, but 
 which has beaten the gnats and flies into the 
 water. The best months for the fly are 
 March, April, May, and part of June. In 
 the cooler months, in the warmest time of 
 the day, or in warm weather about nine in 
 the morning, or three in the afternoon, if a 
 gentle breeze be blowing, 
 
 A Trout bites best in dark, cloudy, windy 
 weather, early in the morning, from about 
 eight to ten, and in the afternoon, from three 
 to four. About nine in the morning, and 
 about three in the afternoon, are his chief 
 and most constant hours of biting at ground 
 or fly. March, April, May, and part of June, 
 are his chief months, although he will take 
 the bait well in July, August, and September. 
 After a shower in the evening he rises well 
 at gnats. 
 
 Salmon bite best at about three in the 
 afternoon, chiefly in May, June, July, and 
 August, with a clear water and some wind. 
 He takes the bait best when the wind is 
 blowing against the stream, and near the sea.
 
 Carp and Tench morning and evening, 
 very early and late, in June, July, and 
 August, or even in the night. 
 
 Chub from sun-rising or earlier. In the 
 heat of the day, he will seldom bite. In 
 June and July, till about eight, and at three 
 in the afternoon, at ground or fly, if the 
 weather be cool. 
 
 Pike bitss best at three in the afternoon, 
 in a clear water, accompanied by a gentle 
 gale, in July, August, September, October. 
 
 Bream from about sun-rising till eight, in 
 a muddy water, and a good breeze of wind. 
 In ponds, the more violent the wind, and the 
 higher the waves, the better. From the end 
 of May, June, July especially, and August. 
 
 Roach and Dace, during the whole of the 
 day, in clear weather, with a slight breeze. 
 Gudgeon from April till he has spawned in 
 May, and then to the end of the year, in 
 warm clear weather. 
 
 Flounder, during the whole of the day, in 
 Aprils May, June, and July, when the water 
 has been disturbed by rain.
 
 BAITS. 
 
 On Baits in general. 
 
 Worms are the most natural baits under 
 water for almost every fish, instances having 
 even occurred of Pike taking them. They 
 should be preserved and cleansed in mode- 
 rately dry moss, in a cool place in the sum- 
 mer, and out of the reach of the frost in the 
 winter. The greater the quantity of moss 
 ■which is used, and the oftener it is changed, 
 the longer they will live, as they cannot bear 
 being exposed to the open air. The largest is 
 
 The Loh, or Dew-wormy 
 
 which is found in old gardens, fallow fields,
 
 and early in the morning it may be taken 
 upon the surface of grass fields. It is a good 
 bait for Salmon, Trout, Perch, Chub, and 
 Eels, particularly in muddy water. 
 
 The Red Worm 
 
 is found in all loamy soils, and nic^y be ga- 
 thered by following a plough, turning up gar- 
 den soil, and under boards, bricks, slates, 
 tiles, stones, &c. that have lain undisturbed 
 a short time. It is a good bait in clear water 
 singly, but when the water is discoloured two 
 are preferable, particularly for Trout. When 
 two worms are used, the hook should be thrust 
 through the knot of that which is to remain 
 uppermost, and when forced through only 
 one-third of its body, must be drawn to the 
 top of the shank until the wire be covered, 
 and it v/ill then remain secure; observing to 
 reverse the end that you begin at, and the 
 knot being held by the barb, they will remain 
 sufficiently firm. 
 
 The Brandling, or Gilt-tail ^ 
 
 is a beautiful littlfe worm, dark at the head, 
 becoming gradually paler towards the tail, 
 which is decorated with bright yellow circles, 
 that distinguish it from all other reptiles of 
 this class. They are found in old dung-hills, 
 old hot-beds, especially where tanners' bark 
 has been used, and often in tanners' bar^
 
 10 
 
 alone^ provided it has lain a sufficient time to 
 rot. From the beginning of May to the 
 middle of September, it is the best worm that 
 can be used, and what few fish when on feed 
 will refuse. 
 
 To prepare the tackle for worm fishing in 
 streams, a small piece of music-wire should 
 be whipped to the upper end of the shank of 
 the hook, in order to keep the bait in a proper 
 position. No precise directions can be given 
 for leading the line, as it depends so much on 
 its length, the depth of the stream, and the 
 rapidity of the current; the bait should sink 
 quickl)', and fish near the bottom ; if the line 
 be overleaded, it will be found extremely 
 troublesome, as the hook will frequently be 
 entangled with whatever it meets at the bot- 
 tom ; such as stones, roots of trees, &c. 
 
 Cod-halt Fishing. 
 
 It is a good bait about mid-water, and near 
 the bottom in clear streams, on a hook Xo. 8, 
 whipped to fine gut lightly shotted. Many 
 anglers, in preparing their hooks for cod-bait 
 fishing, prefer the shank being leaded to a 
 shot on the line ; but it is a method which we 
 cannot approve, being but a tender bait, the 
 lead renders it almost impossible to be drawn 
 neatly over the shank. When used in still 
 water, a small float is necessary. The cod-
 
 u 
 
 bait which is the most aiseful to the angler, is 
 found in stony brooks or gravelly rivulets, 
 closely adhering to any solid substance it 
 finds at the bottom. When taken out of the 
 v/ater, they may be preserved a month by 
 putting them in a woollen bag, with or with- 
 out moss, upon a cool floor. If the bag should 
 become too dry, care must be taken not to 
 use too much water to damp it again, as these 
 insects cannot endure their native element 
 after they have been taken from it four days ; 
 still they must not be exposed to the other 
 extreme. 
 
 Maggot Fishing 
 
 commences as soon as the frost disappears in 
 the spring, and is a good bait in open wea- 
 ther every month in the year. It is used for 
 the same purposes as the cod-bait, and is rea- 
 dily taken by all kinds offish that take small 
 baits. Maggots generated in October will 
 live through the winter, at which time Chub, 
 Grayling, Carp, Tench, Perch, Roach, and 
 Dace, are in perfection, and may be enticed 
 to any part of a pond to feed, by suspending 
 a piece of carrion at the end of a pole over 
 the spot that it is desired that the fishes should 
 frequent. It is not unusual to bait particu- 
 lar places with worms, maggots, gi'ains, stew- 
 ed malt, clay balls, clotted blood, &c. but it 
 is to be supposed, that the fish will become
 
 12 
 
 fonder ofa spot where they can peaceably en- 
 joy then- food which is continually dropping 
 to them, than where they are often disturbed 
 by being fed at stated intervals. 
 
 The method of baiting a hook with a mag- 
 got or gentle is as follows : Take one or two 
 maggots, and put the hook into the second 
 joint above the tail, then draw it forv/ard 
 upon the hook; having performed this with 
 one or two, put the hook into the second 
 joint of the last maggot, and cover the beard 
 of the hook with it, but let not the point ap- 
 pear in sight; if the hook be run too deep, the 
 substance of the gentle will come out, and 
 then it is good for nothing ; therefore, care 
 must be taken to run it under the skin, as gen- 
 tly, and as close to it, as possible. 
 
 The Cow-dung Bait 
 
 is found from the beginning of June to the 
 end of August, amongst the droppings from 
 cattle in dry pastures ; and far excels both the 
 cod-bait and maggot during its short stay, 
 and must be used for the same purposes. In 
 shape it resembles a maggot, but its colour 
 is much brighter; it is extremely tough, con- 
 sequently a lasting bait. 
 
 Cahhage Worms 
 are of different colours, some of them are 
 green, some are gray, and others speckled. 
 They are useful baits in the hot months
 
 13 
 
 for Trout, Chub, Carp, Teucli, Roach, and 
 Dace, and are procured by shaking oak and 
 ash trees, hazle bushes, and upon cabbage 
 leaves. They must be used on the top upon 
 streams, and mid-water in pools. J3eing ten- 
 der baits, they require some attention to fix 
 them neatly on the hook. 
 
 The GrassJwpper 
 is generally found about the mowing season, 
 and continues until it is destroyed by frosty 
 nights. It is eagerly taken by almost any fish 
 in clear streams about mid-water, on a hook 
 No. 6, with fine gut, and one small shot. 
 
 Boiled Wheat and Malt 
 must be simmered in milk over a gentle fire 
 in a saucepan, but it must not be suffered to 
 boil fast, as it will burst the corns ; or it may 
 be set in a gentle oven all night, and the out- 
 ward husk taken off: either wheat or malt is 
 an excellent bait for Roach, Dace, and White 
 Bream. 
 
 Wasp Grubs. 
 In July, August, and September, good baits 
 may be provided from a wasp's nest far every 
 kind of fish that will take maggots and cod- 
 bait. The grubs must be taken from the 
 comb, and baked before a moderate fire, with 
 a tin bonnet behind it, which makes the baits 
 tough, and blackens their ends.
 
 14 
 
 RECIPES FOR THE MAKING OF PASTES, 
 
 Almost every experienced angler, who uses 
 paste, has his peculiar method of making it; 
 the following recipes, however, may be con- 
 sidered as the most approved, and most 
 generally to be relied upon. 
 
 Salmon Paste. 
 
 Take one pound of salmon spawn, about 
 September or October, boil it about fifteen 
 minutes, beat it in a mortar until sufficiently 
 mixed, with an ounce of salt, and a quarter 
 of an ounce of salt-petre ; carefully pick out 
 the membrane, as you find it disengaged. 
 When it is beaten to a proper consistency, 
 put it into cups or gallipots, over which tie a 
 piece of bladder close, and it will keep many 
 months. 
 
 Shrimp Paste 
 is prepared precisely by the same method as 
 Salmon paste, observing to separate the solid 
 part from the shell, before it is put into the 
 mortar. 
 
 Paste to catch Chiih and Carp in the Winter. 
 
 Beat strong Cheshire cheese, mixed with 
 cotton wool, to the consistence of paste. If it 
 be too moist, temper it with wheaten flower: 
 if too dry, moisten it with honey. The bait
 
 15 
 
 should be formed about the size and shape of 
 an acorn. 
 
 Paste to catch Pike. - 
 Mix four ounces of fine wheaten flour with 
 a little cotton wool, the whites of two eggs, 
 and a very small quantity of vermilion or red 
 lead. This paste should not be made above 
 one day before it is used. 
 
 Sweet Paste for Carp, Tench, or Chub. 
 
 Take the crumb of white bread dipped in 
 honey, and work it with the fingers in the 
 palm of the hand until it is of a proper con- 
 sistency. When honey cannot be procured, 
 lump sugar dissolved in warm water will 
 answer nearly as well. 
 
 Paste for Barhel. 
 
 Dip the crumb of white bread in water in 
 which chandlers' greaves have been boiled, 
 and knead it stiff. If a small quantity of 
 the greaves be mixed with the bread it will 
 prove more enticing. 
 
 Many authors recommend oil of aniseed, 
 and a variety of other essential oils, to scent 
 paste with ; these are communicated as se - 
 crets, and, having an air of mystery, are eager- 
 ly sought after by the young angler. We 
 have, however, tried a variety, but never had 
 reason to suppose they were instrumental in 
 taking a single fish, and believe them all to 
 be a wasteful and ridiculous expense.
 
 16 
 
 LINES. 
 
 Fishing-lines are most generally compos- 
 ed of a mixture of silk and hair, and are spun 
 of various lengths. For common Trout-fish- 
 ing in rivers, twenty to twenty-five yards are 
 sufficient; for lakes, where the fish are large, 
 and a boat is not used, forty to fifty yards 
 may be required. Single-handed-rod fish- 
 ers prefer their reel-lines to run taper to the 
 point, so that they may, by merely fixing 
 their foot length of gut to the lir ~, wind it up 
 close to their hand; and where the stream 
 is narrow and bushes numerous, this is 
 certainly a good plan, but for bold streams 
 the reel-line should be of equal thickness 
 throughout, and not too fine, in order that a 
 taper hair-line, of ten yards in length, may be 
 attached thereto. 
 
 The most important consideration in mak- 
 ing lines is, the selection of the hair, which 
 must be round, even, and free from scales. 
 If plucked from the tail of a young horse or 
 mare, it is not so good as that vrhich is to be 
 procured from a four-or-five-year-old gelding. 
 The best is to he had from the tail of a well- 
 grown stallion. Black, although the strong- 
 est, is the least serviceable colour; brown, 
 gray, and white, are to be preferred, and ought
 
 17 
 
 to be picked with care. Hair-lines are proper 
 for Roach, Dace, Bream, Gudgeons, Rulle, and 
 Bleak, and may consist of six or nine hairs. 
 
 The links of lines for the artificial lly should 
 be softly twisted, as they fall much lighter on 
 the water, and are greatly superior to lines of 
 silk and hair; the two top links should con- 
 sist of twelve hairs, the three next of nine, 
 the four next of six, and the five bottom links 
 of three hairs, which, with the addition of a 
 yard of silk-worm gut, \fi\l make the line 
 long enough, and no other number of hairs 
 will twist regularly or bed well together. 
 
 Lines for Salmon, Pike, Barbel, Chub, and 
 large Bream, are made of silk or hemp, and 
 should not be too hardly twisted. The whip- 
 cord lines sold in the country are sized, rub- 
 bed even, and tied very tight in hanks ; in 
 this state they look well, but have a very 
 different appearance after they have been in 
 the water; and out of a line of sixty yards 
 it will be difficult to get twenty yards of one 
 entire piece even and good. Raw silk makes 
 very good lines ; the finer sort twisted toge- 
 ther for Salmon, Trout, Perch, Chub, and 
 large Bream, and the coarser for Pike, Barbel, 
 and Eels. These as w^ell as lines made of 
 silk, v/hen new, ought to be tied tight at both 
 ends, and rubbed with elder or cabbage 
 leaves, and afterwards trailed on the grass, 
 which will render them soft and pliable.
 
 18 
 
 RODS. 
 
 Angle rods should be proportioned in 
 length and strength to the dilierent fish which 
 it is intended to be angled for. They ought 
 to bend regularly^ and taper gradually; be 
 light in hand, and spring from the butt -end 
 to the top. The great fault of most rods is, 
 that the play of the rod is in the middle^ owing 
 to that part being too weak, and like a wago- 
 ner s whip: it is impossible with a rod of 
 this kind to strike or command a fish of any 
 size. Rods for Pike and Barbel ought to be 
 sixteen feet long; the butt-end made of red 
 deal, the middle parts of ash, and the top of 
 hazle, the bark not to be taken off the hazle, 
 as it weakens them considerably. 
 
 Rods for Trout, Perch, Chub, Eels, Bream, 
 and Flounders should be finer, and rings for 
 the running-line will be necessary. The rods 
 for Roach, Dace, Gudgeon, Ruffe, Bleak, and 
 the smaller tribe of fish, should not exceed 
 eight or ten feet in length. 
 
 The rod for the artificial fly is made much 
 lighter and of a different construction. It 
 should be very elastic, and spring from the 
 butt-end to the top. The lower part of the 
 rod should be made of any wood that is tough 
 and straight, but in the formation of the upper 
 part too much attention cannot be paid. Our 
 own country produces a variety of wood that 
 will make good tops, and they should be cut
 
 19 
 
 at Christmas, and if placed in the open air to 
 season for twelve months, they will be the bet- 
 ter for use. The best kinds are elder, holly, 
 mountain-ash, and brier, but the American 
 hickory far excels them all, nor is it surpassed 
 by any wood, with the exception of the bamboo 
 or hollow cane. It is a custom founded in error, 
 of loading the tops of rods with eight or ten 
 inches of whalebone ; a good top, too, should 
 be light and elastic, whereas whalebone is 
 dull, heavy, and much too flexible. 
 
 It is necessary to guard against the influ- 
 ence of moisture on the rod as much as pos- 
 sible, although a shower of rain will not spoil 
 it : unless the rod be protected by varnish, it 
 wall soon be deprived of its elasticity. 
 
 Rods should not be kept in too dry a room ; 
 the practice of steeping them in water is a bad 
 one, and will soon spoil them. 
 
 It is the practice of some anglers, when the 
 season is over, to take the rod to pieces, and 
 bind the parts to a straight pole, and to let 
 them continue in that state until fishing sea- 
 son returns. 
 
 HOOKS. 
 
 The excellence of hooks depends on their 
 being properly tempered, not too high to snap, 
 or not sufficiently that they may be bent with 
 the fingers. In choice of them, take care that 
 the points are sharp, the beards of a good
 
 L'O 
 
 length, and the shanks not too long. As lish 
 differ so much in size, a great deal must be left 
 to the judgment of the angler in the choice of 
 them ; a little experience will soon point out the 
 proper size ; but as some directions in a trea- 
 tise on this subject may be expected, the fol- 
 lowing table is added, for the information of 
 young anglers, first premising, that it is a 
 guide only vrhere single hooks are used. The 
 figures denote the sizes of the various kinds of 
 hooks : 
 
 Barbel 1 | Eel 4 
 
 Bleak 13 
 
 Bream 9 
 
 Carp 3 
 
 Chub 2 
 
 Dace 12 
 
 Flounder. ... 5 
 
 Grayling 10 
 
 Gudgeon 12 
 
 Loach 13 
 
 Minnow 13 
 
 Perch 4 
 
 Roach 11 
 
 Ruffe 
 
 Salmon .... 1 
 
 Tench 3 
 
 Trout 3 
 
 Never choose a hook, the point of which 
 stands outward, as it will often scratch a fish 
 without laying hold, consequently he will be 
 lost; for after being pricked, he will not rise 
 again for two or three hours. 
 
 T7ie several Hmints or Resorts of Fish, and 
 
 in what Rivers or Places they are 
 
 most usu ally found. 
 
 To the angler it is of no small importance 
 to be acquainted with the several kind of ri- 
 vers, streams, soils, and waters, which each 
 sort of fish usually frequent ; for although it
 
 21 
 
 is well known, that fish are somethnes to be 
 met with in rivers and places which they do 
 not usually frequent, yet the exact know- 
 ledge of what particular river or soils, or what 
 part of the river such or such kinds of fish 
 usually frequent, will be almost a never-fail- 
 ing guide to the knowledge of the most suit- 
 able baits, and of the fish which are likely to 
 be caught. 
 
 The Salmon frequents large swift rivers, 
 which are influenced by the tide ; they are, 
 however, to be found in lesser rivers, high up 
 the country, but chiefly at the latter end of 
 the year ; and when they proceed thither to 
 spawn, they choose the swiftest and most 
 violent streams, or rather cataracts, and the 
 clearest gravelly rivers abounding with rocks 
 and weeds. 
 
 The Trout is found in small purling 
 brooks or rivers that are very swift, feeding 
 behind a stone, or log, or some small bank, 
 which, shooting into the river, acts as a par- 
 tial dam to the water. He there lies watch- 
 ing for what comes down the stream, and 
 suddenly darts upon it. His hold is usually 
 in the deep, under a hollow place of the bank, 
 but his most favourite resort is, under a 
 stone, beneath a part of which the carrcnt has 
 carried away the gravel. He is seldom found 
 amongst weeds. 
 
 The Perch prefers a gentle stream of mo-
 
 22 
 
 derate depth, but it seldom frequents the 
 shallows. There are very few of the canals 
 of England in which the Perch is not to be 
 found in high condition. They are some- 
 times found in slow muddy rivers, but not 
 in such plenty nor goodness. 
 
 The Carp, Texch, and Eel choose a mud- 
 dy and still river ; the two former prefer the 
 deepest and stillest part of a pond or river ; 
 and the same remark will apply to the larger 
 Eels, but the smaller ones are found in all 
 kinds of rivers and soils. 
 
 The Pike, Bream, and Chub choose sand 
 or clay; the former prefers the still pools 
 which abound with fry, and he shelters him- 
 self, in order to come upon his prey una- 
 wares, amongst bulrushes, water-docks, or 
 under bushes. The Bream prefers a gentle 
 stream, and the broadest part of the river. 
 The Chub delights in the same ground, but 
 is rarely found without some tree to shade 
 or cover him in large rivers and streams. 
 
 The Barbel, Roach, Dace, and Ruffe, 
 prefer gravel and sand, and resort to the 
 deepest parts of the river. 
 
 The Gudgeon is to be found chiefly in 
 sandy, gravelly, gentle, streams, and smaller 
 rivers. 
 
 The Flounder covets sand and gravel, 
 deep gentle streams near the bank, or at the 
 end of a stream, in a deep still place.
 
 23 
 
 It must, however, be understood, that as 
 some fish covet one soil more than another, 
 so they differ every season in their choice of 
 places. Some keep during the whole of the 
 summer near the top, whilst others never 
 leave the bottom. The former may be ang- 
 led for, with a quill or small float, near the 
 top, with a fly or any sort of worm bred in 
 herbs or trees, or with a fly at the top ; the 
 latter will be found at the tails of weirs, mills, 
 flood-gates, arches of bridges, or the more 
 shallow parts of the river, in a strong, swift, 
 or gentle stream. During the winter, they 
 all retire into the deep still places. 
 
 Artificial-fly Fishing. 
 
 The most seasonable time for fishing with 
 a fly in a river, is when it is somewhat dis- 
 turbed by rain, or on a cloudy day, when the 
 waters are moved by a gentle breeze. The 
 most favourable winds are from the south and 
 west, if the wind blow high, but not with 
 such violence as to prevent you from conve- 
 niently guiding your tackle ; the fish will rise 
 in the still deeps, but if there be little wind 
 stirring, the best angling is in swift streams. 
 
 In casting the line, it should be done in a 
 straight direction before you, and in such a 
 manner that the fly may fall just on the wa- 
 tei\ and as little of the line with it as possi- 
 ble ; but if the wind be high, you will then
 
 be forced to drovrn a good part of it, in order 
 that the fly may be kept on the water. En- 
 deavour as much as possible to have the wiiid 
 at your back, and the sun in your face ; but 
 the windings of a river w^ll frequently render 
 that position impracticaLxe, 
 
 When you throw your line, wave the rod 
 in a small circle round your head, and never 
 make a return of it before it has had its full 
 scope, or otherwise the fly will be snapped 
 off. 
 
 Although the day may be cloudy and win- 
 dy, and the water thick, the ily must still be 
 kept in continual motion, or the fish will easi- 
 ly discern the deceit. 
 
 The line should be twice as long as the 
 rod, unless the river be encumbered with 
 wood. When the fly is cast to the opposite 
 side of the river, always stand as far off the 
 bank as the length of your line will permit ; 
 but if the wind blov/s from such a quarter, 
 that you must throw the line on the same 
 side as that on wdiich you are standing, then 
 station yourself on the very brink of the river, 
 and cast the fly to the utmost length of the 
 rod and line, up and down the stream, ac- 
 cordingly as the wind is favourable. 
 
 A quick, sharp eye, and an active hand are 
 necessary, to strike the flsh directly as it ri- 
 ses, or else, finding out the mistake, he will 
 dislodsre the hook from his mouth.
 
 25 
 
 Small light-coloured flies are appropriate 
 for clear waters, and a clear atmosphere; 
 large dark-coloured flies, when the contrary. 
 
 When fish rise at the fly very often, and 
 yet never take it, it may be concluded that 
 it is not the fly which they like. When you 
 see a fish rise, the fly must be thrown beyond 
 him, and drawn gently over the place where 
 it rose, and if it be a proper fly for the sea- 
 son, and the fly be cast with a nicety, the 
 fish is your own. 
 
 When you angle with an artificial fly, in 
 slow running rivers or still places, cast it 
 across the water, and let it sink a little, and 
 then draw it gently over to you again, letting 
 the current carry it slowly down ; this is the 
 best way for slow waters ; but for quick ones, 
 your fly must always swim on the top, under 
 your continual inspection. 
 
 For every sort of fly have three ; one of a 
 lighter colour, another sadder than the natu- 
 ral fly, and a third of the exact colour with the 
 fly, in order to suit all waters and weathers. 
 
 Although the number of artificial flies used 
 m angling amount to between thirty and for- 
 ty, yet there are about nine which may be 
 called the standard flies, and with which, it 
 *^e angler be provided, he may deem him- 
 self qualified to catch almost every kind oi 
 Ssh that rises at the fly. 
 c
 
 26 
 
 The delineation of these standard flies is 
 given in the frontispiece, and the method of 
 their manufacture is as follows : 
 
 No. 1. The Granam, or Green-tail. This 
 fly makes its appearance in the beginning 
 of April. The wings are made of a sha- 
 ded feather fi'om the wing of a partridge, 
 or hen pheasant; the body of the dark fur 
 of a hare's ear, and a yellowish grizzled 
 cock's hackle for legs ; a small quantity of 
 bright green wax, about the size of a pin's 
 head, may be applied to the lower part of the 
 body, after the fly is completed, for the tail 
 The' hook No. 9. 
 
 No. 2. Black Gnat. This fly appears 
 about the same time as the spider-fly, and 
 continues till the end of May. The body is 
 made of black ostrich's harl, and the wings 
 of a dusky or pale-dun cock's hackle, or a 
 pale starling's feather: it must be dressed 
 rather short and thick. The hook No. 10. 
 
 No. 3. Large Black Ant commonly ap- 
 pears in warm, gloomy weather, from the 
 middle of June to the latter end of August. 
 The ant flies are excellent killers from eleven 
 o'clock in the forenoon until six in the even- 
 ing, and they may be used in still water, as 
 well as streams. The wings of this fly are 
 made of the lightest blue feather from under 
 the snipe's wing, or from the tom-tit's tail. 
 Some make them of thistle's down, but ita
 
 27 
 
 want of durability is a great objection to the 
 use of the material, unless for a fly that re- 
 mains on the water for a short time, which 
 is not the case with the ant flies. The body 
 of black ostrich harl, made thick at the tail 
 and under the butt of the wings, with a red- 
 dish brown hackle for legs. 
 
 No. 4. The Red Palmer. Dubbed with 
 seal's fur dyed red, and brown bear's hair 
 mixed together, but there must be bear's 
 hair sufficient to make the body appear of a 
 dullish red, ribbed with gold twist ; the wings 
 of a starling's feather and a red cock's 
 hackle over the dubbing. The hook No. G 
 
 or 7. 
 
 No. 5. The Oak Fly, or Caiion Fly, is to 
 be found in iVpril, May, June, on ash trees, 
 oaks, willows, or thorns, growing near the 
 water. The colours of the fly being various 
 and unequally mixed, render the imitation 
 difficult. The head of the fur from the hare's 
 ear; body under the wings dun fur, in the 
 middle orange and yellow, and towards the 
 tail a brownish dun ; the wings from the fea- 
 ther of a yellowish brown hen ; or it may be 
 made with a bittern's hackle only without 
 wings. It is an excellent fly both for dib- 
 bing in the natural state and using artifi- 
 cially. 
 
 No. G. The Black Caterpillar. The body 
 of the brown branches from the stem of a
 
 28 
 
 peacock's tail feather; a black cock's hackle 
 for legs, the fibres of the hackle should be 
 short. The hook No. 8. 
 
 No. 7. TJie Yellow May Fly. Dubbed 
 with yellow camlet, or ^-ellow marten's fur ; 
 the wings of a mallard's feather dyed yellow. 
 This fly is to be made very small, but exact- 
 ly in the shape of a green drake. The hook 
 No. 6. 
 
 No. 8. The Red Fly. This fly appears in 
 February, the wings are made of the red fea- 
 ther of a partridge's tail; the body of the 
 red part of a squirrel's fur, with ginger hac- 
 kle wrapped twice around it. The hook No. 
 7 or 8. 
 
 No. 9. The Grey Drake. The body is 
 made of white silk, ribbed v»'ith fine black 
 silk ; the wings of the dark grey feather of 
 the mallard, with a black cock's hackle wrap- 
 ped thrice around under them; and has 
 ;Khree long tails, which are nearly black. It 
 is used with most success in an afternoon, 
 particularly after the green drake retires. 
 
 Materials for Making Artificial Flies. 
 
 Hooks of all sizes ; marking silk of every 
 colour; shoe-maker's vrax of softest kind; 
 cock's hackles, those feathers that hang 
 down from the back of their necks, and those 
 near the tail, the black and red are most 
 useful, but they should be procured of all
 
 29 
 
 colours; gold and silver platted wire or 
 twist; green and copper-coloured peacock, 
 and black ostrich harl. 
 
 Hair, 
 
 Hog's down and bear's hair of different 
 colours ; these are good for mixing with the 
 dubbing, as they repel the water; the white 
 hog's down may be dyed to any colour ; cow 
 and calf hair of different colours, and the 
 softest that can be procured, good for making 
 large Salmon flies ; spaniel's hair from be- 
 hind the ears, dark brown and light brown ; 
 the soft fur both brown and black from the 
 badger's skin ; seal's fur of different colours ; 
 camel's hair ; also fur from the hare's neck 
 and ears ; also from the squirrel's tail ; fox 
 cub, from the tail; a water rat; a house 
 mouse; a marten, particularly the yellow 
 spots under the jaws. 
 
 Feathers. 
 
 From the wild drake, the back and the 
 breast; the wings of the starling; the water- 
 coot; the jay; the fieldfare; and the black- 
 bird ; a pheasant ; a woodcock ; a land-rail ; 
 a brown hen ; the grouse ; the plover ; and 
 from the back and wings of a heron. The 
 feathers from the tail of a turkey-cock, par- 
 ticularly those that are black, with a white 
 tip at the end, a good wing for Salmon flies.
 
 30 
 
 A DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHES. 
 
 Salmon. 
 
 The Salmon is a fish of much strength and 
 delicacy, and claims the preference before all 
 other fish. It delights in rivers which have 
 alpine sources, preferring to all others a gra- 
 velly-pebbled bottom, where there are large 
 stones clear of every kind of slime. It is im- 
 patient of shade, unless in the very heat of
 
 31 
 
 summer, and dislikes to remain for any 
 length of time in such parts of rivers where 
 the banks are wooded, or near hanging rocks, 
 that exclude the sun from the stream or pool. 
 They always lie with their heads pointing up 
 the river, and seldom or never swim down 
 the stream, unless in their journeying to the 
 sea, when disturbed by the hauling or shoot- 
 ing of nets, the prowling of the otter, or 
 when exhausted by the fatiguing tackle of the 
 angler. 
 
 A Salmon rod is generally proportioned 
 to the size of the river which the angler fre- 
 quents, but it ought not to be less than fif- 
 teen feet in length. The reel ought to be 
 large enough to contain eighty or ninety 
 yards, so as to admit of abundance of line to 
 be given out when required ; for many fish, 
 when struck, run out to a great distance, and 
 with such great rapidity, as to prevent the 
 possibility of the angler's moving in the pro- 
 per direction with sufficient quickness. 
 
 The best baits for Salmon are the artificial 
 fly and the lob-worm ; it is of little conse- 
 quence what colour the fly is, provided it be 
 large and gaudy, ribbed with gold or silver 
 twist. The best times for angling for Sal- 
 mon are in the morning from nine to eleven, 
 and in an evening from six to sunset, espe- 
 cially when there is a moderate breeze upon 
 the water. The method of fishing with a
 
 32 
 
 lob- worm is as follows: Take a worm that 
 has been well scoured, and run the hook 
 through the middle, drawing it above the 
 shank ; then take another and bait the hook 
 in the usual way, by putting it into the worm 
 about an inch below the tail, drawing it on 
 the hook about three fourths of the length, 
 the head of the worm being at the point of 
 the hook ; then draw the first worm down to 
 the other, for Salmon are partial to a large 
 bait. It will be necessary to have a piece of 
 lead, with a small hole through it, fastened 
 upon the line, about two feet above the hook, 
 by which means the bait can be kept in any 
 certain place; when the bait has remained 
 for a few minutes, draw it gently up the 
 stream about a yard, and let the lead rest 
 again at the bottom. This will excite the 
 attention of the fish, and frequently tempts 
 him to take the bait. Lines of silk or hemp 
 are proper, and three silk-worm guts twisted 
 together make an excellent bottom link. For 
 the purpose choose three of equal strength, 
 round, and free from flaws, and tying the 
 root ends together, let them soak in water for 
 twelve hours ; then make double knots on 
 the loose ends, to hang on the hooks of the 
 twisting-engine ; do not twist them too hard ; 
 the angler ought to have several of these links 
 for various sized hooks, and in cases of acci- 
 dent. In angling for Salmon with a bait.
 
 33 
 
 the line must be stronger than what is used 
 with the artificial fly; the top joint of the 
 rod must also be stronger. If the lob-worm 
 prove unsuccessful, a small live fish, a Gud- 
 geon or Minnow, may be tried, and in all 
 probability the Salmon will snap at him, for 
 he is a fish of prey, and will feed upon those 
 that are small. 
 
 The Salmon flies are generally made ac- 
 cording to fancy ; the six following will be 
 found worthy of notice : 
 
 1. The body made of peacock's harl, and a 
 mealy grey cock's hackle over it. 
 
 2. The body made of silver twist, and a 
 sniall dun hackle. 
 
 3. The body of yellow camlet, ribbed with 
 gold twist, and a ginger hackle over it. 
 
 4. The body made of equal quantities of 
 the fur of a hare's neck and orange-coloured 
 mohair, with the hackle from a grouse's 
 back. 
 
 5. Gold-twist body, and a dark red cock's 
 hackle over it. 
 
 6. The body of peacock's harl, with the 
 bright stained red hackle over it. 
 
 When the Salmon rises at the fly, give a 
 gentle jerk, for the purpose of hooking him, 
 which being accomplished, humour him in 
 letting him run which ever way he will. Do 
 not check him, lest he should break the 
 line from the rod, and wind it up as fast as
 
 34 
 
 he returns, otherwise he will entangle and 
 break the tackle. Keep him so tight, that 
 he may bend the rod considerably, for if he 
 be allowed to straighten the rod, he will soon 
 make his escape. As he swims away follow 
 him gently, but do not come within sight 
 of him. He will be apt to spring or leap out 
 of the water, at such time allow him line 
 enough, and when it is perceived that he lies 
 at the bottom, have patience for a time, and 
 be not surprised if he repeats the stratagem, 
 for he will strive to break from the hook. 
 Having waited for the space of six or seven 
 minutes, draw the line rather tight, and if he 
 runs, then give him the same liberty as be- 
 fore. AVhen he is thoroughly tired, draw 
 him gently to the shore, where you see the 
 most convenient place for landing him. 
 
 The facetious author of the Maxims for an 
 Angler says, " Never mind what they of the 
 old school say about ' playing him till he is 
 tired.' ]Much valuable time and many a good 
 fish may be lost by this antiquated proceed- 
 ing. Put him into your basket as soon as 
 you can. Every thing depends upon the 
 manner in which you commence your ac- 
 quaintance with him. If you can at first 
 prevail upon him to walk a little way down 
 the stream with you, you will have no diffi- 
 culty afterwards in persuading him to let you 
 have the pleasure of seeing him at dinner."
 
 a;5 
 
 .^Mi*"^. 
 
 
 Trout. 
 
 There are few fisli that afford the angler 
 greater diversion than the Trout; they are 
 at all times exceedingly circumspect, and for 
 which reason it is in vain to angle when the 
 water is low, as they then retire under the 
 banks and roots, refusing every kind of bait. 
 On a cloudy day after a gentle shower, they 
 will freely take Minnov/s, worms, and flies of 
 all kinds in their proper season. In March 
 or April, angle for them with the worm in 
 the afternoon, and with a fly or Minnow, ac- 
 cording to the state of the water, the remain- 
 der of the day. The natural flies best adap- 
 ted are the may-fly or yellow cadow, the 
 grey drake, the orl, and the canon or down- 
 hill fly, all of which are to be found in bush- 
 es near to the river-side in the months of 
 May and June. Angle in the swiftest and 
 sharpest currents, provided the day be clear 
 and bright, and in the deeps early and late ; 
 but if the water be discoloured, or very thick, 
 angle in the gravelly shallows near the sides 
 and tails of streams with a worm only, to run
 
 on the bottom^ one large shot a foot at least 
 from it. 
 
 The Minnow is the best of all baits for the 
 Trout, the whitest and middle-sized ones 
 should be chosen. Angle with the point of 
 the rod down the stream, drawing the Min- 
 now up the stream by degrees near the top 
 of the water. When the Trout sees the bait, 
 he will dart most fiercely at it, but be careful 
 not to snatch it away; and never strike until 
 he has turned with the bait. 
 
 Trout fishing requires a strong rod, al- 
 though not quite so stiff as what is used for 
 Pike fishing ; the longer it is the better, pro- 
 vided it be not heavy. The line should be 
 about a foot longer than the rod, and about 
 eighteen inches of strong gut, or Indian weed, 
 should be put to the end of it, twisted three- 
 fold, with a swivel to fix the bottom link upon, 
 with four or five duck shot split and fastened 
 on it. The hook should be 5 or 6. 
 
 In ground angling the bait should be a 
 large lob-worm, or two marsh or dew worms, 
 well scoured and very livel5^ The bait being 
 cast in, let it gently drag on the bottom ; 
 when the fish begins to bite, do not strike 
 the first time you feel the tug, but rather 
 slacken the line; when you feel two or three 
 sharp tugs then strike smartly, and if a heavy 
 fish give him line, and be not in too great 
 haste to land him.
 
 37 
 
 To prepare the tackle for Trout fishing m 
 a stream, a small piece of music-wire should 
 be whipped to the upper end of the shank of 
 the hook, for the purpose of keeping the bait 
 in a proper position. No precise directions 
 can he given for leading the line, as it de- 
 pends so much on its length, the depth of the 
 stream, and the rapidity of the current ; the 
 bait should sink quickly, and fish near the 
 bottom. If the line be over-leaded it will be 
 f*und extremely troublesome, as the hook 
 will frequently be entangled with whatever it 
 meets at the bottom, such as stones, roots c ? 
 trees, rushes, &c. 
 
 The following method of taking Trout ig 
 highly recommended by some experienced 
 anglers : Make a pair of wings of the feathei 
 of a land-rail, and on the bend of the hook 
 put one or two cadis, the heads of the cadl^ 
 being kept close to the wings. Angle wdtb 
 rod about five yards long, the line three, and 
 the hook No. 3 or 4. Let the bait floa^ 
 down the stream just below the surface, thee 
 gently draw it up again a little irregularly, by 
 shaking the rod, and if there be a fish in the 
 place it will be sure to take it. If two cadis 
 be used with the wings, put the hook in at 
 the head or out of the neck of the first, and 
 quite through the other from head to tail. 
 Two brandlings, or small red worms, may be 
 fished with in the same way.
 
 
 Pike. 
 
 The Pike is a bold voracious fish, and may 
 l>e fished for during the whole of the year, but 
 the most favourable months are September 
 and October. His general resort is near 
 flags, bulrushes, and water-docks. As the 
 season grows colder he retires into the deeps, 
 and is to be found under clay banks and bush- 
 es that hang over the water, stumps and roots 
 of trees, and piles of bridges. There are five 
 methods of catching Pike, two of which be- 
 long only to the angler, the remainder to the 
 poacher ; the former are by trolling and snap- 
 ping. In trolling the rod ought to be four- 
 teen feet long, with rings for the running- 
 line ; the line should be at least thirty yards 
 long, of either silk or hemp. The best halts 
 are Gudgeons and Dace, of a middling size ; 
 but in default of these. Roach, Bleak, small 
 Trout, or Salmon fry. In order to bait the 
 hook, the fish-needle must be put in at the 
 mouth of the bait, and out at the middle of 
 the tail, drawing the gimp and hook after it, 
 fixing the point of the hook near the eya.
 
 39 
 
 Drop the bait in near the river-side, where it 
 is moderately deep, and where Pike are likely 
 at that season to resort; let it sink to the 
 bottom, and draw it gently up, imitating in the 
 motion a fish hurt or dying ; after trying two 
 or three times to the right and to the left, 
 throw the bait further in. When a Pike sei- 
 zes the bait, it will be easily perceived by the 
 line being drawn tight, and some resistance 
 being displayed; give him more line, and let 
 him go whither he will, until he has reached 
 his harbour, which will be known by his not 
 drawing any more line ; l?,y down the rod, 
 and give him more time to gorge the bait, 
 which he v/ill generally do in five minutes; 
 then draw the line gently till the fish be 
 seen; if the bait be seen across his mouth 
 give him more time, but if he has gorged the 
 bait, govern him with a gentle hand, keeping 
 him from roots and stumps. He must not 
 by any means be lifted out of the water with 
 the rod and line only ; for although, to all ap- 
 pearance, the fish may be tired, yet the mo- 
 ment he quits the water, he will open his 
 mouth, and, by tearing his stomach with his 
 own weight, get quit of the hook, and the fish 
 will not only be lost, but he will die in the 
 water. 
 
 The method of fishing with a live bait, or 
 what is called the live-snap, is very different
 
 40 
 
 from trolling. The line and red must be 
 stronger, and the hooks much larger. They 
 consist of two hooks joined back to back, 
 with a smaller hook in the middle of their 
 shanks ; the bait is hooked by the small 
 hook, just under the back fin, the point and 
 beard coming out on the other side, and is 
 fastened by a strong thread or silk doubled. 
 
 Roach, Dace, or Gudgeons are the best 
 baits; a cork float will be necessary about the 
 size of a common Burgundy pear, with a 
 small pistol bullet or two, not only to poise it, 
 but to keep the bait at a proper depth. 
 
 As a live bait many anglers prefer the 
 Perch, it being the longest lived on the hook, 
 first cutting off the fin on his back. The 
 frog is the next good bait for Pike, but par- 
 ticular care must be taken to select the water 
 frog, which breeds in ditches, and choose the 
 yellowest, which the Pike likes best. All 
 other frogs are considered venomous. The 
 following method should be adopted to keep 
 the frog alive on the hook as long as possible : 
 Put the hook through his mouth, that is, 
 pass the arming-wire into his mouth and out 
 at the gills ; with a fine needle and silk sew 
 the upper part of his leg w4th a single stitch 
 to the arming-wire of the hook, or tie the 
 frog's leg above the upper joint to the arm- 
 ing-wire. This will be found an excellent 
 bait as a leiger bait. 
 
 i
 
 41 
 
 Perch. 
 
 The Perch affords the angler great diver- 
 sion^ and not only are the baits various, but 
 the modes of using them. Of worms the 
 best kinds are small lob-worms which have 
 not any knot, brandlings, red dunghills, or 
 those found in rotten tan, all well scoured. 
 The hook may be varied from 2 to 6, being 
 well whipped to a strong silk-worm gut, with 
 a shot or two a foot from it. Use a small 
 cork float, to keep the bait at six or twelve 
 inches from the bottom, or sometimes about 
 mid water ; in angling near the bottom raise 
 the bait very frequently almost to the surface, 
 letting it gradually fall again. Two or three 
 rods may be employed, as the time they 
 require to gorge is sufficient to allow the an- 
 gler to be prepared to strike them. Try not 
 long in one spot ; when a fish bites slacken 
 the line, and give time before striking ; this 
 often succeeds in bad weather, when all other 
 methods fail, but more especially in a rough 
 southerly or westerly wind. 
 
 D3
 
 42 
 
 The other baits for Perch are Roaches, 
 Sticklebacks, with the spines cut off, I\iiller's 
 Thumbs, horse-beans boiled, cad-bait, bobs, 
 and gentles; but the best and most enticing 
 bait for a Perch is a live Minnow. Place a 
 small reel on the rod, with about twenty or 
 thirty yards of Indian twist, and a hook, 
 No. 5, fastened to a link of gimp. Fix the 
 hook through the back fin of the iMinnow, 
 and it will be found a most killing bait. 
 
 Although generally termed a bold biter, 
 the Perch is extremely abstemious in winter, 
 and scarcely ever bites at that season, but 
 in the middle of a warm sunny day; he 
 bites best in the latter part of the spring, 
 from seven till eleven in the forenoon, except 
 in hot and bright weather, and from two till 
 six in the afternoon except in hot and bright 
 weather, and then from sun -rise till six in 
 the morning, and in the eve from six to sun- 
 set. In clear water sometimes a dozen or 
 more of Perch have been observed in a deep^ 
 hole sheltered by trees or bushes ; by using 
 fine tackle and a well-scoured worm, the an- 
 gler m.ay see them strive which shall first 
 seize it, until the v>'hole shoal have been 
 caught. The Perch may be angled for and 
 taken until the end of September, but the 
 preferable season is from the beginning of 
 May to the middle of July.
 
 43 
 
 GraijUny. 
 
 The Grayling is generally found in clear 
 and quick streams with clayey bottoms. It 
 spawns in Aprils and sometimes as late as the 
 middle of May. The most approved baits for 
 Grayling are lob-worms, gentles, flag-worms, 
 wasp-grubs, cow-dung bobs, cadis -worms, 
 marsh-worms, and brandlings. It may be 
 fished for at all seasons of the year, particu- 
 larly in cool cloudy weather. There is not 
 any method more killing for large Grayling, 
 than applying the grasshopper to the point of 
 a leaded hook, the lead and shank of which 
 are covered with green and yellow silk, to 
 imitate the body of the insect. In the win- 
 ter Grayling rise for an hour or two in warm 
 weather, and at this tiine the smallest imita- 
 tion of black or pale gnats on the smallest 
 sized hook, succeed best in taking them. In 
 August the red and black ant fly may be 
 considered as a very killing bait. 
 
 In cold weather the depth from the ground 
 should be about three inches, in hot weather 
 about mid water. In fishing with gentles
 
 44 
 
 two or three hooks may be used, and angle 
 with them as with the artificial fly. The 
 Grayling is a very simple fish, and will rise 
 repeatedly at the bait should he chance to 
 miss it. The tackle should be of the finest 
 description; the bottom to be at least two 
 yards of gut, leaded with two shot about a 
 foot from the hook. It must be observed, 
 that very slender transparent gut, of the co- 
 lour of the water, is one of the most impor- 
 tant causes of success in Grayling fishing. 
 A small goose-quill float must be used; if 
 worms be the bait, the hook should be No. 5 
 or 6, if maggots. No. 8 or 9. Great caution 
 must be observed in landing the Grayling, 
 as it is very tender-mouthed. Cotton stig- 
 matises the Grayling as one of the deadest- 
 hearted fishes in the world, and the bigger 
 he is the more easily he is taken. 
 
 The Grayling may be frequently caught 
 with cabbage-grubs, cod-baits, and grass- 
 hoppers, either natural or artificial ; the me- 
 thod of angling in this manner is, to allow^ 
 the bait to sink by degrees to the bottom, 
 and to draw it up again about two feet with 
 rather a sudden motion. When fishing w^ith 
 maggot this plan may also be adopted, but 
 the line requires to be heavier leaded. On 
 these occasions the rod and line must be of 
 equal length, the hook No. 5 or G, and lead- 
 ed upon the shank.
 
 45 
 
 Ruffe. 
 
 The principal spawning time of the RufFe is 
 the beginning of April^ but some are said to 
 spawn again in October. In the Elements 
 of Natural History a RuiFe is said to depo- 
 sit seventy-five thousand eggs. 
 
 To the young angler the RufFe yields good 
 sport. Its haunts are in recluse places, 
 where the water is deep, and runs quietly, 
 with a loamy or muddy bottom. The tackle 
 should be fine ; the hook No. 7, and a quill 
 float; the bait a small well-scoured red 
 worm, and it must just run on the ground. 
 Throw in some clay balls with worms, or if 
 the water be clear, use common mud balls to 
 colour it. 
 
 Three rods may be easily managed, the 
 baits touching the bottom. When there is a 
 bite strike directly, for they gorge so hastily 
 that the knife must be frequently used to get 
 out the hook. Both in the spring and sum- 
 mer they will bite all day with a brisk warm
 
 46 
 
 wind; and will sometimes in cold weather 
 take the bait very freely. 
 
 The Ruffe, for the delicacy and richness 
 of its flavour, as well as for its being consi- 
 dered very nourishing, is more admired than 
 the Perch. 
 
 The time for angling for Carp is very early 
 in the morning, and late in the evening, but 
 they will bite at noon, if disturbed by a sud- 
 den flush of water. They prefer deep holes 
 with a very gentle stream, and their favourite 
 places of resort are the stumps and roots of 
 trees. They spawn generally in May, June, 
 or July, especially the river Carp, according 
 to the different nature of the water which 
 they frequent, and the quality of the soil. 
 
 The best baits are the marsh and flag 
 worms ; but too much eagerness must not be 
 shown in striking him when he bites, for he 
 will nibble some time before he will take the 
 bait into his mouth, and then the line should 
 be eased about ten or a dozen inches.
 
 47 
 
 The following paste is highly recommend- 
 ed for Carp: Take the flesh of a rabbit, and 
 bean -flour sifted very finely, mix them with 
 honey, and incorporate them in a mortar, or 
 they may be worked by the hand into small 
 balls ; the whole must be tempered to a sub- 
 stance sufficiently stiff, so as to prevent it 
 being washed off* the hook. If virgin-wax or 
 clarified honey be mixed with it, it will keep 
 all the year. 
 
 When angling for Carp in ponds, it will 
 be necessary to rise at break of day, and the 
 best bait that can be then used is the red- 
 worm, well scoured and dipt in tar. The 
 Carp being a very shy fish, it will not be ad- 
 visable to approach too near to the edge of 
 the pond, or river, for which reason the rod 
 and line should be long, as the bait should be 
 thrown in as far as possible from the shore. 
 The fish, however, maybe attracted nearer by 
 baiting a place, or by casting the worms in 
 by handfuls ; for as the water is still in ponds, 
 the worms cannot be carried to any consider- 
 able distance from the place where it is in- 
 tended to fish. 
 
 In angling with paste, the better to beguile 
 the Carp, some pellets should be thrown into 
 the water, some hours before fishing is com- 
 menced, and if some be thrown in a day or 
 two before, the greater will be (he chance of 
 success. If the pond be of great extent, throw
 
 48 
 
 into one particular place either grains or blood 
 mixed with cow-dung, or bran mixed with the 
 crust of white bread after having been well 
 soaked in water, and made up into the con- 
 sistency of paste. Whilst angling with paste, 
 whether in a pond or river, chew a little white 
 or brown bread, and cast it about the place 
 where fae float lies. Crumbs of white bread 
 mixed with honey and worked up into a paste, 
 will be found an enticing bait for Carp. 
 
 The month of February, and the interven- 
 ing ones to June, are the most favourable for 
 Carp fishing. If the weather be mild, they 
 will bite more freely than at any other time 
 of the season, and if there be a slight shower 
 of rain falling, the angler will experience 
 good sport at any time of the day. It must, 
 however, be observed, that in cold weather 
 the Carp will not bite at all. A long light 
 rod should be used, with a reel-line of the 
 iirst description, the bottom of which must 
 be at least two yards of gut. Smaller hooks 
 should be used than for other fish ; for worms 
 the hook should be No. o or 6; for wasp- 
 grubs. No. 7 ; and for maggots, No. 8 or 9 ; 
 the line should be lightly leaded with small 
 shot a few inches from the hook, using a 
 very small goose-quill float. 
 
 If a large Carp be hooked, he will make 
 an obstinate resistance; the line should 
 therefore, be given it cautiously, drawing ar
 
 49 
 
 fetfing it go alternately, until the fish be 
 exhausted. The Carp is a most cunninp 
 £sh, and will use every endeavour to entan 
 gle the line amongst the weeds and roots 
 A Carp will seldom take a bait in a pond 
 until the beginning of May. 
 
 Tench. 
 
 The directions given for angling for Carp, 
 are, in a great measure, applicable to that 
 for Tench. Their habits and localities are 
 nearly similar ; for there are few ponds or ri- 
 vers in which, if Carp be found. Tench are 
 not to be found also. 
 
 The Tench is a still-water fish, and de- 
 lights in ponds more than in rivers. Like the 
 Barbel he is a leather-mouthed fish ; but as 
 the latter chooses gravel or sand, so the form- 
 er delights and thrives in mud. One Tench 
 that is taken in a river, is worth six taken w 
 a pond. There are, however, some members 
 of the Walton-and-Cotton Club, whose epicu 
 rean taste is particularly gratified with the 
 davour which mud imparts to the Tench ; but
 
 50 
 
 this preference cannot Le said to be in any 
 way general. 
 
 In angling for Tench you must repair to the 
 fishing-place by dawn of day. June^ July, 
 and August are the only months in which 
 any sport can be expected with Tench. The 
 tackle must be strong, as they delight greatly 
 in being amongst the weeds. Little sport is 
 to be expected after the sun has risen^ but it 
 may be renewed about six in the afternoon; 
 and let the ground-bait be the same as di- 
 rected for Carp. 
 
 In river angling choose the deepest and 
 most silent water, which ought to be so still, 
 and the surface so smooth, that not the least 
 motion be imparted to the float. Be not too 
 eager in striking when the fish bites ; for as 
 he delights in sucking the bait, allow him 
 time, and he will not quit it. The best and 
 most enticing bait is the red- worm dipt in tar ; 
 or take the black clotted blood out of the 
 heart of a sheep, some fine flour and honey, 
 temper them finely together, make them of 
 the consistency of an unguent, and anoint the 
 red-worm with it. No other bait is to be 
 compared to either of them. 
 
 The fishing-place should be baited with 
 lob-worms and boiled malt. Fish very near 
 the ground, and use a strong gut and a goose- 
 quill float. In other particulars follow thp 
 directions as laid down for Carp.
 
 51 
 
 Bream, 
 
 The Bream grows to a very large size, 
 sometimes to five or six pounds. The larger 
 ones are called Carp Bream, as they are 
 yellow, resembling the Carp in colour, and 
 are supposed to be a distinct species from the 
 White Bream. They frequent the broadest 
 parts of the river, where it is deep, and the 
 stream gentle. They are also to be found 
 in mill-ponds, in the vicinity of weeds, and 
 in clayey or muddy bottoms. 
 
 The best months for angling are August 
 and September, very early in the morning or 
 after sun-set. The lob-worm is the best bait 
 for the larger Bream, and the place ought to 
 be baited with them for some time previous- 
 ly. The following may also be considered as 
 good baits : flag-worms, gentles, wasp-grubs, 
 marsh-worms, and brandlings, paste, green- 
 flies, and the grasshopper with his legs cut off*. 
 
 A good paste for Bream is made of white 
 new bread worked in the hand to a proper 
 consistency, and coloured with vermilion, or
 
 52 
 
 sheep's blood, to give it the requisite colour. 
 White Bream are caught by using boiled 
 malt alone as a ground-bait, baiting the hook 
 with gentles or well-scoured worms; a run- 
 ning-line must be used, and a plumb, as di- 
 rected for Barbel. The hook, however, must 
 be smaller. No. 2 or 3 \viU be the proper 
 size. 
 
 The Bream bites best when there is a 
 slight breeze, but when the water is rough 
 the bait must be placed near the bottom. 
 They bite very slowly, and the larger they are 
 the slower they bite. The bait should be laid 
 in softly in the middle of the ground-bait, but 
 let not the lead be above two feet under water. 
 When the fish bites he will throw up the float, 
 and when it is perceived to lie flat upon the 
 surface of the water, it may then be conclu- 
 ded that the fish has gorged the bait ; strike 
 it gently, and hold the rod at a bend for a 
 short time, for if you both pull the fish may 
 be lost, if not also the hook and line. 
 
 The Bream affords noble sport, but is a 
 fish very shy to be landed. His favourite 
 harbour is the water-dock ; but having once 
 hooked him, care must be taken to keep him 
 from that quarter, for he will strive to get 
 thither, in order that the line may be entan- 
 gled about the stalks of the dock, which 
 being by nature very tough, it will be im- 
 possible to disengage him from them. It is
 
 53 
 
 not advisable to angle more than three or 
 four days for Bream in the same place, for the 
 fish become shy and wary, and then afford 
 very little sport. 
 
 The angler should cautiously avoid stand- 
 ing close to the water's edge, after he has 
 deposited the line. Two or three rods and 
 lines may be used at the same time of fish- 
 ing in still water. 
 
 Barbel. 
 
 The Barbel is of a fine cast, and hand- 
 some shape. He can live in the strongest 
 streams, but prefers shallows ; sharp ones in 
 the summer: sometimes he takes to the 
 deep and swift water about bridges and flood- 
 gates, reposing amongst piles or in hollow 
 places, where he will take such hold of the 
 weeds that the swiftest streams cannot dis- 
 lodge him. 
 
 The most favourable season to angle for 
 Barbel is August and September, and the 
 best time from day-break to ten in the morn- 
 ing, and from six in the afternoon to sun- 
 
 E3
 
 54 
 
 set. The baits should be clean and sweet, 
 and the worms well scoured. The best of all 
 baits is a well-scoured lob-worm, especially 
 if the place has been well baited the night 
 before. The best ground-bait is made with 
 soaked greaves and clay, mixed together in 
 pellets about the size of an egg. Having in- 
 dented the pellets, put some gentles into the 
 holes, close them tightly, and the gentles will 
 work out gradually when at the bottom of 
 the river. This ground-bait must, however, 
 only be used in still holes. The Barbel will 
 bite at gentles, and the green ones are a de- 
 licious bait for him. 
 
 The rod must be very strong, with a run- 
 ning-line made either of silk or hemp, the 
 bottom link being made of gut. Use a plu*mb 
 about two feet above the hook, of sufficient 
 weight to resist the action of a great depth 
 of water. Let the plumb sink gently to the 
 bottom about two yards from the side, draw 
 the line tight till the plumb be felt at the 
 bottom, by which the top of the rod will be 
 bent a little, and the bite then, of even the 
 smallest fish, will be felt. There is one cau- 
 tion necessary to be observed in angling for 
 Barbel, never to throw in further than can be 
 effected by a gentle cast of the rod, letting 
 the plumb fall into the water with as little 
 violence as possible. 
 
 The Barbel is a leather-mouthed fish, and
 
 55 
 
 when he is hooked he must be governed with 
 a tiglit line^ not only to keep him from stumps 
 and harbour, but to prevent him throwing 
 himself across the line, which he will en- 
 deavour to do, his back fin being very sharp, 
 and indented like a saw, which will cut the 
 line, or at least damage it very considerably. 
 
 To the angler the Barbel presents great 
 attraction, being a game fish affording excel- 
 lent sport ; when of a large size he is exceed- 
 ingly crafty, sulky, and strong, struggling a 
 long time after he is hooked, often lying mo- 
 tionless at the bottom many minutes ; and so 
 cunning is he, that he will suck or nibble off 
 the worm close to the hook, and after that it 
 is indeed a difficult task to hook him. If once 
 hooked he seldom escapes from a good 
 sportsman. 
 
 The Barbel spawn in April, at which time 
 they are out of season. The flesh is consi- 
 dered unwholesome, the spawn and liver al- 
 most poisonous. It is advisable to bait the 
 places three or four times before you begin 
 to angle, which may be done with a number 
 of v/orms cut in pieces, or clay-balls in which 
 either worms or gentles are placed. Greaves, 
 also, are a good ground-bait for Barbel. Ac- 
 cording to Walton, it is scarcely possible to 
 bait too highly for Barbel ; at all events there 
 is little sport to be expected where the ground 
 has not been previously baited.
 
 56 
 
 Roach. 
 
 The Roach is a handsome fish, inhabitmg 
 many of our deep still rivers, and delighting, 
 like others of its genus, in the most quiet 
 waters. 
 
 The tackle for Roach must be fine and 
 strong ; a rod not exceeding six feet, a line 
 rather shorter of six hairs, and about two feet 
 of gut for the bottom links, a swan-quill float, 
 and hooks No. 11 or 12. The baits are gen- 
 tles, red paste, boiled wheat or malt. Great 
 attention must be paid to strike quick. In 
 autumn Roach will take white paste on a hook 
 No. 9 ; in summer snails and flies under wa- 
 ter, for they never rise at a fly like the Dace. 
 In April cadis -worms, oak -worms, and small 
 red-worms, the latter especially in windy wea- 
 ther. When boiled wheat or malt is used, 
 choose those corns that are plump and soft, 
 one being sufiicient for a bait; put the hook 
 into it, so that the point m.ay be where it is 
 burst, and where the white appears ; the fish 
 will thereby be hooked more readily. . 
 
 On commencing fishing throw a good
 
 57 
 
 handful of boiled malt into the hole, and con- 
 tinue to throw some in during fishing, but it 
 must be done sparingly. A sharp eye must 
 be kept on the floaty and the least nibble is 
 the signal for striking. If a full-sized Roach 
 be hooked, he should be played, for it is a 
 fish that struggles much ; and although many 
 anglers accustom themselves to a single-hair 
 line, yet when the fish run large it is not al- 
 ways to be depended upon. 
 
 Should the water not be clear, two hooks 
 may be used, by neatly looping a piece of gut 
 two or three inches long, with a hook to it, 
 close above the single shot, so that it may 
 stand out from the line. Bait it with gentles,. 
 and the lower hook with paste or Salmon roe, 
 and, if the fish be shy, with a gentle slipped 
 into the beard of the hook, and a grain of the 
 roe or paste upon the point. 
 
 It is easy to distinguish whether a Roach 
 be in season : if the scales on the back be 
 rough to the touch, it is out of season ; il 
 they lie flat and smooth, the reverse. 
 
 The most killing bait for Roach is a small 
 white worm with a red head, about the size 
 of two maggots. It is to be found after the 
 plough^ upon heath or sandy ground. It 
 must, however, be observed, that when this 
 bait is used, stewed malt or fresh grains 
 should be strewed in the place where it is in- 
 tended to angle.
 
 5S 
 
 In hot weather the Dace is most easily 
 taken with an artificial fly, and prefers most 
 the black and dun flies. They bite best 
 from three in the morning till nine, and from 
 four in the afternoon till night. The tackle 
 must be fine and strong ; the rod not exceed- 
 ing six feet, the line somewhat shorter of six 
 hairs, and about two feet of silk-v^orm gut 
 for the bottom Imks; a swan-quill float, 
 and small hooks about No. 11 or 12, though 
 they should be of stronger wire than that 
 usually sold of those sizes. The most suita- 
 ble baits for Dace are the oak-worm, red- 
 worm, brandlings, gentles, flag-worms, and 
 cadis-worms ; greaves also are a good bait 
 for Dace. Red paste is an excellent bait; 
 but it will be advisable to take more than 
 one kind of paste, as the Dace is a capri- 
 cious fish, and in the course of a morning 
 and evening will shun the bait which they 
 had just taken before. 
 
 The ground-bait for Dace should be pre- 
 pared of bran, a crust of white bread soaked,
 
 59 
 
 and worked up into balls, with little stones in 
 the middle. In choosing a place, let it be 
 under the wind, where the water is smooth; 
 plumb the depth, and let the lead be about 
 eight inches from the bottom. The ground- 
 bait must be thrown in about four yards 
 above the fishing station, and the bait must 
 be placed exactly over the ground-bait. 
 Boiled malt is also a very good ground-bait, 
 but it must be used sparingly. 
 
 A small landing-net will be found very 
 serviceable in landing the larger fish ; draw 
 the fish a yard or two below the fishing sta- 
 tion, as less disturbance will be thereby 
 occasioned in the hole. 
 
 The Dace does not bite much later than 
 October, and March may be considered as 
 the earliest period. 
 
 Chub. 
 
 The Chub spawns about the months of 
 April and May, but he may be said to be in 
 perfection in the winter. He frequents s-harp 
 
 earns, and deep holes, that are much sha-
 
 60 
 
 dec!, with clayey or gravelly ])ottoms. The 
 larger ones bite best very early in the morn- 
 ing, and are to be caught by dibbing with a 
 black beetle, humble-bee, or any large fly, 
 but the best bait for the Chub is the brown 
 beetle or cockchafer. In ground-fishing the 
 most approved baits are worms, maggots, 
 snails, and ox brains ; the preference is gene- 
 rally given to the latter. The rod and line 
 must be strong, and it will be convenient to 
 use a running-line, the better to enable you 
 to fish under bushes : the bottom should be 
 of strong gut about two yards long, and the 
 hook, if angled with brains, No. 6 or 7 ; if 
 with gentles or grubs, a size smaller. The 
 angler should be at the river's side by day- 
 break, and having baited the hook with the 
 beetle or cockchafer, wave it two or three 
 times over the surface, as if in the act of fly- 
 ing, then let it drop softly on the water, and 
 shake the rod gently, which will give it the 
 appearance of struggling to escape ; this will 
 attract the attention of the fish, and two or 
 three will rise at a time, for they are remarka- 
 bly fond of the cockchafer. His resistance 
 when hooked is great at first, but he is soon 
 subdued ; his weight, however, will make the 
 landing-net necessary and useful, as the most 
 likely places for Chub are those where you 
 cannot get to the water-side to land him 
 with the hands.
 
 61 
 
 It is necessary to bait the places in whicG 
 you angle with whatever bait is used. Should 
 you fish with worms, gentles, wasp-grubs, 
 or snails, the bait should be upon the ground • 
 but if with brains, a little below mid-water_, 
 being careful to strike the instant the fish 
 bites, as the bait is so very tender. 
 
 Bleak. 
 
 The Bleak is a small, fat, pleasant fish, 
 called by some the Fresh-water Sprat, and 
 by others the River Swallow, on account of 
 its continual motion. It will rise, like the 
 Dace, at a common house-fly upon the sur- 
 face of the water, or it will take a gentle, or 
 white paste, about a foot and a half under 
 water. The smallest hooks are the most pre* 
 per for them, and a paternoster line, that is, 
 a single-hair line, with six or seven hooks, 
 each three or four inches above the other, bait- 
 ed with gentles, or cadis, well scoured. The 
 paste recommended for Bream, forms a good 
 bait for the Bleak. It frequents deep rivers,
 
 62 
 
 sandy bottoms, in eddies. Had at the stems 
 of ships. 
 
 The Bleak may be caught \Yith a very fine 
 artificial fly, of a sad brown colour, and very 
 small, and the hook of a proportionate size. 
 In angling for Bleak in the Thames, the bait 
 must be laid in deeper than in other rivers ; 
 and it is to be observed, that generally in 
 rivers the Bleak continues sound and health- 
 ful during the whole of the summer. There 
 is not any better sport than whipping for 
 Bleaks in a boat or on a bank in swift waters 
 on a summer's evening, with a hazle top about 
 five or six inches long, and a line twice the 
 length of the rod. The Bleak is an excellent 
 fish to initiate a young angler in fly-fishing 
 It forms a capital bait for Pike. 
 
 Gudgeon. 
 
 The Gudgeon spawns twice or three times 
 in the course of the year, and is in season 
 from March to October. In the summer it 
 delights in shallow streams, the bottoms of 
 which are sandy and gravelly. They will fi*e-
 
 63 
 
 quently bite during the whole of the day from 
 an hour after sun-rise till within an hour of 
 sun-set, without any particular consideration 
 as to the state of the weather. In autumn, 
 when the weeds begin to rot, they retire into 
 the deep waters. 
 
 The customary method of angling for Gud- 
 geon, is to rake up the sand or gravel, and by 
 that means render the water thick and foul, 
 which will make them bite the faster. Or 
 another plan may be adopted, of throwing 
 dried earth or dust into the river ; but if the 
 water be made thick with rain they will not 
 bite. They will take gentles or the cow- 
 dung worm, but the small red- worm is the 
 most killing bait for them. The Gudgeon is 
 not a shy fish; on the contrary, if they be 
 driven from their customary places of resort, 
 they will immediately return to them. 
 
 A single-hair line, a fine taper rod, a float 
 and a small hook, must be used, and the 
 bait must drag upon the ground. 
 
 In fishing for Gudgeon a rake is indispen- 
 sable, with which the bottom of the river must 
 be raked every quarter of an hour, and the 
 fish will flock to the place in shoals. 
 
 The Gudgeon will never rise at the fly. It 
 is a fish in some request, both for its flavour 
 and the sport it affords to the inexperienced 
 angler. It is very simple, and is allured by 
 almost any kind of bait.
 
 64 
 
 Eel. 
 
 It lias been long a matter of dispute in 
 what manner Eels are generated. Lacepede, 
 the eminent French naturalist, decides, in the 
 most unqualified terms, that they are vivipo- 
 rous ; whilst, on the other hand, Sir Hum- 
 phrey Davy, in his Salmonia, considers them 
 to be oviparous. Sir Everard Home regards 
 them as hermaphrodites. Leaving this dis- 
 pute, however, to be settled by naturalists, 
 we have only to instruct the angler in what 
 manner they are to be caught. 
 
 The favourite haunts cf Eels are still wa- 
 ters amongst weeds, under the roots of trees 
 and large stones, and in the clefts of the banks 
 of rivers. The habits of the Eel are noctur- 
 nal, and the finest and largest are usually 
 caught with night-lines. The best bait for 
 angling is the lob-worm, the hook small, 
 about No. 3 or 4, and it is proper to use a 
 small plumb or pistol-bullet. They bite best 
 in dark cloudy vveather, after showers attend- 
 ed with thunder and lightning.
 
 65 
 
 There are two ways of fishing for Eels, pe- 
 culiar to that fish alone ; the first is called 
 sniggling, which is performed as follows : 
 Take a short strong rod, and a line exceed- 
 ingly strong w^ith a small hook, which must be 
 baited with a lob-worm well scoured; the 
 end of the hook must be placed slightly in the 
 cleft of a stick, in order that it may easily slip 
 out. With the stick and the hook thus bait- 
 ed, search for holes under stones, timber, 
 roots, or about flood-gates. If an Eel be there 
 he will certainly bite ; but let him tire him- 
 self by tugging, before any attempt be made 
 to pull him out, or otherwise the line will 
 be broken. 
 
 The second method is called bobbing, which 
 is thus: Take the largest garden worms, 
 scour them v/ell, and with a needle run a very 
 strong thread or silk through them from end 
 to end, as many as will lightly wrap a dozen 
 times round your hand ; then tie them fast 
 with the other two ends of the thread or silk, 
 in order that they may hang in so many long 
 hanks ; then fasten all to a strong cord, and 
 about three inches above the worms fasten a 
 piece of lead of about three quarters of a 
 pound, making the cord fast to a long and 
 strong pole. With the worms thus arranged, 
 you will find the Eels tug strongly at them, 
 and when it is supposed that they have swal- 
 lowed the bait as far as they can, draw the 
 
 F 3
 
 G6 
 
 worms and the Eels gently up, but when they 
 are at the top of the water, then pull them up 
 with all your strength suddenly, and land the 
 fish as speedily as possible. 
 
 The following is the most approved method 
 of fixing the night-lines for Eels. Having 
 made a sufficient number of links of twelve 
 hairs, double them, and tie a small strong 
 hook to each link, having an equal number 
 of strong whip-cord lines, about twelve or 
 fifteen yards each, which have been used, and 
 are soft, such as old trolling or Barbel lines ; 
 fasten one end to a small stake of ash or hazel 
 about a foot long and pointed at one end, 
 making a noose at the other end of each line 
 large enough to admit a Dace or a Gudgeon ; 
 fasten a bullet about a foot from the noose ; 
 take the links and bait them with Gudgeons, 
 Minnows, or lob-worms (the former are to be 
 preferred) by making an incision with the 
 point of the baiting-needle at the shoulder, 
 running it under the skin, and out at the mid- 
 dle of the tail, drawing the link after it. The 
 point of the hook should be upright towards 
 the back, and it matters not how proud, as 
 the Eel is a most voracious fish. Take the 
 lines to the pond or river in the evening, and 
 unwinding a line from the stake, peg it fast 
 to the ground near the side. Take one of 
 the links baited, put the noose of the link 
 upon the line, and di'op the bait through
 
 67 
 
 the noose upon the line. Throw the halt in 
 a good way, but not to the extent of the line, 
 as Eels will run a little before they gorge. A 
 hundred of these lines may be laid in a short 
 time. 
 
 Minnow. 
 
 The Minnow is in season from March to 
 Michaelmas, except immediately after spawn- 
 ing time. It is not inferior to any fish for 
 the excellence of its taste. It begins to bite 
 about an hour after sun-rise, and is taken at 
 mid-water, or close to the bottom. The best 
 bait is the smallest red-worm. Use a float, 
 and the same small-sized hooks as are used 
 for Bleak. After Michaelmas the Minnow 
 betakes itself to the mud, or weedy places in 
 rivers, as a preservative against floods, and 
 a security against its becoming a prey to 
 other fish. The Minnow is more sought 
 after as a bait than an article of food, although 
 Walton recommends the Minnow tansies as 
 " a dainty dish of meat." To the young 
 sportsman the Minnow yields plenty of amuse-
 
 68 
 
 ment. In hot weather they will bite eagerl}- 
 all day, and are frequently drawn out of the 
 water from their adhering to the end of the 
 worm. The best and easiest method of catch- 
 ing them is, to have three or four hooks baited 
 with the least red-worm, or the piece of one, 
 and a crovv'- quill float ; fish deeper than mid- 
 water, or near the ground, in shallow places, 
 in eddies, and at the sides of small streams. 
 Minnows are excellent baits for many fish ; 
 when caught they should be kept in bran, 
 which dries up the moisture, and although 
 stiff at first, and, consequently, will not spin 
 so well, from the bran sticking fast to them, 
 yet after a short time it will wash off, and 
 they will be sufficiently pliable. 
 
 Loach. 
 
 The Loach is an inhabitant of clear rivu- 
 lets, and commonly resides at the bottom 
 among stones and gravel, and is on that ac- 
 count sometimes called by the name of 
 Groundling ; it is generally about three inches 
 long ; is of a dirty yellow colour on the back, 
 and somewhat spotted, and white on the bel- 
 ly. In point of delicacy, it is said to be equal, 
 if not superior, to most other fishes, and is 
 cultivated with much care in some places as 
 an article of diet. The Loach is observed to 
 spawn in March, and is very prolific. It is 
 frequently taken when angling for Minnows.
 
 69 
 
 The Smelt. 
 
 is well known as a most delicious fish^ and 
 in angling for them an exceedingly stiff and 
 strong top must be had to the rod^ a strong 
 gut line, heavy float, and from ten to twelve 
 hooks, about eight or nine inches apart ; the 
 hooks will stand better from the line if tied 
 on a fine bristle. Use No. 9 hooks, baited 
 with a small piece of an Eel, or pieces of a 
 Smelt, the bottom hook touching the ground. 
 When a Smelt bites, he invariably throws 
 the float up, almost all other fish pull it down. 
 They are sometimes fished for without a 
 float, having a small piece of lead at the bot- 
 tom which must just touch the ground, gently 
 raising and sinking it till the bite is felt ; 
 this is called dip-fishing, and is the most de- 
 structive way of killing Smelts. From July to 
 November and December, is the most proper 
 season for angling for this fish, and the most 
 successful time is very early or very late. 
 
 The Flounder 
 
 is originally a sea fish, without scales, which 
 w^anders far into fresh waters ; the best are 
 distinguished by red spots. They yield much 
 sport to the angler. It commonly frequents 
 gravelly, sandy bottoms, deep, gentle streams, 
 or at the end of a stream, in deep, still parts 
 of the water, and in a gentle stream that is 
 somewhat brackish.
 
 70 
 
 They bite at any worm found in marshes or 
 meadows, which should be well scoured ; also 
 worms that are dug up in the bed of a river 
 near the sea. He is a crafty and greedy biter, 
 and will nibble and suck at the bait some time 
 before he takes it, and if he perceives the 
 hook, will fly from it ; the bait should, there- 
 fore, be always in motion, which makes him 
 more eager. He bites best in mild weather, 
 with a little wind. The hook must be as 
 small as you can conveniently bait. No. 6 or 
 7, and you must fish at the bottom. If a float 
 be used, the lead to poise it being at the bot- 
 tom, the float will be flat on the water ; when 
 it cocks up, it may be concluded that a 
 Flounder has hold of the bait, on which the 
 rod must be eased, as he will suck the bait 
 for some time, but is in the end sure to gorge 
 it. Flounders are fish of prey, and will take 
 Minnows and other small fish. 
 
 They are in season all the year, except the 
 time of spawning, which is fi"om the latter 
 end of June to the middle of July ; they are 
 then unwholesome. 
 
 Bullhead. 
 
 The Bullhead or Miller's-thumb, is to be 
 found in almost all rivers ; it rarely exceeds 
 the length of three inches; its general co- 
 lour is a yellowish olive, much deeper on 
 the head and upper parts of the back ; and
 
 71 
 
 the whole body is more or less clouded with 
 small dusky specks ; the fins are large and 
 yellow^ish, and likewise speckled; the head 
 is large and flat, and broader than any part of 
 the body. This fish occasionally swims with 
 great strength and rapidity when in pm'suit 
 of its prey, though its general habit is that of 
 lying on the gravel, or under stones, in an ap- 
 parently inert state. Notwithstanding its 
 disagreeable appearance, it is considered as 
 an eatable fish, and is even regarded as deli- 
 cate ; the flesh turns of a red or salmon co- 
 lour on boiling. The Bullhead usually 
 spawns in March and April. This fish, also, 
 is frequently caught w^hen angling for Min- 
 nows. 
 
 Stickleback. 
 
 This fish is an almost universal inhabitant 
 of rivers, ponds, and marshes, and when in 
 its full perfection of colour is highly beauti- 
 ful; the back being of a fine olive green, 
 the sides silvery, and the fins and belly of a 
 bright red ; the colours fade in a great degree 
 as the season advances. The general length 
 of this minute species is about two inches; 
 on each side and on the back are placed seve- 
 ral strong jagged spines, from whence it de- 
 rives its name. 
 
 It is a fish of an extremely active and vigo- 
 rous nature, swimming rapidly, and preying 
 upon the smaller kind of water insects and
 
 72 
 
 worms, as ^yell as the spav/n of other fishes ; 
 and is, from this circumstance, considered 
 highly prejudicial to fish-ponds. 
 
 Having now brought our instmctions to a 
 close, we, in our imagination, have looked at 
 the tiny angler with "his croohed pin for his 
 hook," and "his osier rod," and v>'e have fol- 
 lowed him through all the gradations of the 
 art, until we behold him an accomplished 
 angler, with "his flies and palmers" strug- 
 gling with the Grayling and the Trout. 
 
 lllCU\liD<0^ a: 
 
 sj?,". 'Di.nz'.r.
 
 RICHARE B 
 
 NEW SERIES 
 
 000 002 686 4 
 MORAL AND RELIGIOUS REWARD BOOKs/ 
 
 SEvrRAL of the writings of ABBOTT and TODD have long 
 
 I America and England, as being peculiarly 
 
 acities and tastes of children, and eminently 
 
 itate their advancement in Christian know- 
 
 !• Jgc and duties. The jjublishers have been induced to offer to 
 
 the Pubhc suitable Selections from the works of these eminent 
 
 authors, that poor children may be able to purchase each part 
 
 iit a fractional cost, and that the benevolent patrons of Sunday- 
 
 achools may have fuller scope for scattering around them the 
 
 seeds of virtue and religion. 
 
 ABBOTT'S WORKS IN PARTS. 
 
 Study 
 
 Conscientiousness ..... 
 
 Prayer 
 
 Happiness 
 
 Other Worlds . . 
 
 Id 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 Piety Id 
 
 Traits of Character 1 
 
 The Gate of Prayer .... | 
 Father's Visit to London 1 
 The first real I'rayer .... | 
 
 A Talk with John 1 
 
 The Story of James i 
 
 A Story for All 1 
 
 Love of Home 1 
 
 The Children's Bible Class f 
 The Mother's Bible Class h 
 The Friend in Need .... 2 
 The Bible to be studied . . | 
 
 Future Existence 
 
 True Greatuess 
 
 1 Youthful Piety 
 
 Right Principles 
 
 Responsibility 
 
 Deception 
 
 Obedience 
 
 Religious Truth 
 
 TODD'S V/ORI 
 
 IS IN PARTS. 
 
 
 How do we know there i. 
 
 5 (I 
 
 4 
 
 1*6 '" 
 
 it 
 
 2 
 
 God wise 
 
 God knows every thing • . 
 
 God's power 
 
 Truth of God 
 
 Id 
 
 ■■ 
 1, 
 
 
 Angels' joy when sinner 
 
 God does as he pleases . . 
 
 God is holy 
 
 God is good 
 
 The Christian Slave, and 
 
 thp Sdiiirrol . . .... 
 
 What Faith is, and wtia 
 
 \i^ ii'^p 14 
 
 1* 
 
 God will take care of us 
 Jesus Christ tasting deal 
 Christ intercetUng for us 
 Giving account to God 
 Great events hang on litt 
 
 things 
 
 Fragments all to be save 
 Sabbath to be kept holy 
 The grave losing its victo 
 Address to Motliers . . . 
 
 Is there any God? 
 
 God a spirit 
 
 God eternal • . 
 
 God is every where 
 
 X 
 
 The Widow's Son, and the 
 Praying Widow's Son 
 
 The Simmier- Evening 
 Dream, and the Jew .. 
 
 Two Scenes in Vu-ginia.. 
 
 The Mountain Cottage . . 
 
 The Pas^tor's Daughter .. 
 
 Religion in the Cottage . - 
 
 The Orphan, and the 
 Pastor's Funeral — 
 
 The Missionary 
 
 1 
 
 1. 
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