THE

ANGLER

COMPLETE
BT

IZAAK WALTON

" CHARLES

IZAAK

WAL'iON.

."'EPHi^.MEB^^,

BY

EDITED
OF

"bell's

'COTTON.

life

in

LONDON."

LONDON:

EOUTLEDGE,

WAENES,

YOKK:

EOUTLEDGE,

STREET.

FAERINGDON
NEW

AND

56, WALKER

1859.

STREET.

^9^^?"?

ADVERTISEMENT.

PoE

past I have been taming over in my mind tlie

of
possibility,
having been long clearlyconvinced of the necessity,
publishing,a new, a cheap,a pleasantlyand profuselyand profitably
some

years

of the

illustrated edition

Complete

"

with

Anglee,"

what

I will

call

found
I have
all
"modernizing" notes and additions.
ever
things reasonable in desire,possibleof execution : and happily,the
thorough fulfilment of this last aspirationof mine has proved no
exceptionto my experience.
Having been not altogethera silent observer of the successful
progress through the reading world of the cheap series of books, old
and new,
published by Messrs. Ingram, Cooke, " Co., under the
generaland appropriatetitle of The Illustrated National Library,"
"

I resolved

try and add

to

one

to

more

the

number.

above

the

To

firm,full of public spiritand

intentions and

my
on

I communicated
intelligent
energy,
projects. They were
approved of j and the offer

part

my

with

aid

was
specified,

named,

it

as

Walton

Hence

into

carry them

to

and

under
effect,

certain conditions
ratified

accepted and
freely

as

conscientiouslyand

was

Cotton

in

modern

by

the

and

men
gentle-

hopefullyproposed.

dress, ornamental

and

useful.

Reader, fear not.

sacred text

of those

have

touched

venerable

with

writers.

profaningpen

no

You

have

it here

the

in its

primitivepurity word after word, as it was printedin the fifth and

last edition,published in the year 1676, under the eyes and hands
"

of the authors.
will

What

have

more

I done

great deal

which

"

tell you.
briefly

The

first edition of the

"

Complete

appeared in 1653,
time
lifeexactlytwo hundred
years
ago, and though during Walton's
four subsequent editions were
published,with additions and
improvements,originalerrors in the natural historyof quadrupeds,
and insects,
not only remained, but were
birds,fishes,
augmented.
Those errors
be imputed to the generalignoranceof the time
must
in which

Walton

wrote, in matters

The most
specifically.
cleared away by means

Anglee"

of natural

history,and

glaringand dangerous of
of foot-notes.

a2

those

not

errors

to his
I have

iv

ADVERTISEMENT.

element

agree with
than
far more

he

must

it amuses

"

will peruse the " Complete

tive
that it lacks the instruc-

mind
apprehensive

reader of

If an}^ candid
Anglee"

me

it teaches

it talks

"

of

more

tions
direchy detailed practical
directions are
how to catch them.
Occasionally
given; but
they are not always correct,and, except in a few instances,they are
At least I think so;
antiquatedand not unfrequentlyerroneous.
I have found
to apply a remedy. Wherever
and have endeavoured
fish and

of

the

directions
piscatorial

and

not

interfered.

pointed it

I have

written

"

stand

the

more

encroach

I will not

done.

all that I have

that I have

found

said so,

I have
contrariwise,

them

originalchaptersto

upon the reader's time

In a word, I will at once

written,by

have

at great
instructions,
frequently

new

lengthenedthan
appended.

length

rightI

and Cotton

of Walton

Where

and

out

it shows

than

catchingthem

they

by statingminutely
and

of foot-notes

mean's

which

fearlessly
dicate
preand complementary

the different
treatise on
a
chapters,
completemodern
branches of angling on bottom-fishing,
on
spinning,and trolling,
with the artificialfly,
and on daping or dibbingwith the
fly-fishing
the natural historyof each of
natural one.
I have written succinctly
river-fish that of the salmon rather lengthily
than succinctl}'
our
their habits,pointedout their haunts, named
I have shown
the best
how they are to be used.
baits for them, and shown
I have taught
essays

to

"

"

the rod

how

to be thrown

pen
and

"

and

line

and

to be

handled, and how

worked

in the water,

I have

described

teach it.

can

are

making
drawings of

elucidated with
own,
my
artificialone
in its finished

the

of him

who, for

preacherof BelVs

Angling,and

The

dim, by
than

more

Life,who

"

The

of Walton

notes

even

those with

"

Ed."

are

fly and of the

and progresincipient
sive

passingshade, the

has written

from
attached

added

fifteen years, has been the

Boole

signed"H."

anglinggear

book will tell its own

of the Salmon, and

reader,of your tutor,brother and friend,
London, MarcJi, 1853.
N.B.

long-practised

natural

in the

state and

I trust that will not

one

as

artificial flies I have

stagesof its fabrication.

Of what I have done, enough. The
"

far

the best sorts of

instructions for

to Cotton's

as

the artificialflyis

more

tale
putation
re-

catory
pis-

Hand-hook
besides
"

of
in fine,

Ephemeea.

Sir John
are

Hawkins's

orio^inal.

tion
edi-

SKETCH

of Petrarch

fame

The

Italian

or

poems,

rests

"

on

means

upon
works

wrote

or

written, that

it not

things

that

under

the

"

earth."
of

home

*'

earth

author

We

"hearths

of

hear

no

in

"Yet

time

some

the

before

now

did

1632,
than

the

of Dr.

he

the

situate

one,

his

on

trade

north

the

till

of

the

and

'

the

on

old

is

of

linen-

belonging

to

John

business

half

other

of

side

Chancery-lane,
the
Harrow, now
house
Chancery-lane" (the
end

of

carried
the

sempster,"

lloyal Exchange.

say,
he
carry
on

waters

lie attained
"

small

very

dwelt

the

of

shop,

Kenn, Bishop

of

in

he

house

house
as

the

on
a

mostly

in

His

milliner.

sempster,
and
Wells,
or

Bath

and

the families

beloved.

then

Chancery-lane,
hand, or western

in

her

and

of

one

She

II.

lived

the

was

wife

seven

prudent

society Walton

London,

sometimes

of eminent

favourite

seven

doors

then,
higher

Here

he

side.

His

1643

tlie age

whilst

to
man,
wo-

content
of

fifty

elsewhere

Vhom

English clergymen, by

sumed
re-

sister

bishops sent
and
pious

enjoyed
at

"

the

was

Stafford, and

at

and

of age,

forty years

left

left business

He

fair competency,

about

was

in

the

happiness.

much

of

sign

Here
a

until

to

trade

west

the

corner

reign of James
largely accomplished, and

on

but

south-west

marry

corner

old

Tower

and

not

he removed

his

the

by

he

of

all
all

hosier.

Walton

up

two

known

of
of

Stafford, in

at

until

business

"did

when

doors

goldsmith's. No. 128).

occupying only half

draper,
Mason,
in

the

at

Hawkins,

1624

year

Fleet-street,in a house
abutting on a messuage
timber-house

John

Sir

him

of

in the

or

born

was

more

is found

writes

here,"

beneath,

it

he
30th year,
carrying on the
His
first shop was
man-milliner, in London.
Cornhill
is to
the
"Koyal
Burse,"
; that

or

bosoms"

and

angling pastoral, babbling

an

above, the

1593.

August,

is

immortal

The

the

to

It

men.

heavens

when

his

"

perenniiis cere is that

Complete Angler," and not by any
The
Lives of
more
prized, viz.,
that
he
Sanderson," and poems
is
the
so
"Complete
Angler"

*'

Because

comes

his larger
upon
which
he
relied for

not

on

ones,
and

wide

and

"

likely he
Herbert, and

all

in the

are

month

the

only
of

nearly

anglers, but

Sonnets,and

very

so?

LIFE.

Latin

written

simply

Hooker,
Why

edited.

his

upon

Walton

of

which

WALTON'S

elaborate

his

fame
his

Wotton,

Donne,

rests

upon

The

immortality.
fame

OF

he

was

angling,
The
day.
greatest proficient
rivers
he frequented, were
the Lea
and
New
lliver, and occasionally, in
all x"robability,
the Thames.
The first edition
of his " Complete Angler"
its popularity
he was
in his sixtieth year,
and
appeared in 1653, when
in which

was

so

three
his

art

great, that
years.

age,

Cotton

he

was

wrote

considered

was

it

Walton,

in

the

second

the
a

London

of

four

editions

1676,

year
fifth,with

part

in

the

through

ran

preparing

recreation

of

the

and

the

in

additions,
work.

the

in

for

It

space

of

twenty-

eighty -third

the

seems

was

his

press
Mr.

of
year
when
Mr.
;

Cotton

sub-

WALTON

OF

SKETCH

VI

manuscript to Walton's perusal,who

few marginal strictures : and
a

mitted the

and

together. Mr.

abroad
in

returned
in

that

it with
year

his approbation,

they

came

the title of the "Complete

Part II. : being Instructions how to angle for Trout or Grayling,
clear Stream ;" and it has ever
since been received as a Second

Angler.
a

book

Cotton's

of V/alton's book.

Part

LIFE.

In

had

the

is a ciphercomposed of the
title-page
which
initial letters of both their names
cipher,Mr. Cotton tells us, he
;
had caused
that he
to be cut in stone, and
set up over
a
fishing-house,
had erected near
his dwelling,on the bank of the lovely
river Dove, which
divides the counties of Stafford and Derby.
Mr. Cotton's book is a judicioussupplement to Walton's ; for it must
not be concealed,
that Walton, though he was
so
expert a bottom-angler,
indeed
is
and
he
knew but littleof fly-fishing
so
ingenuousas to confess,
;

that the greaterpart of what he said on that subjectwas

communicated
*
to him by Mr. Thomas
Barker, and not the result of his own experience.
And of Cotton it must be said,that livingin a country where fly-fishing
and

was,

is,almost
but

the

he
onlypractice,
skill
more
actually
possessed

had

not

only the

means

of

quiring,
ac-

in the art, as also in the method

of his time.
His book is,in fact,a continuation

of

than most men

making flies,
of Walton's,
not only as it teaches at large that branch of the
art of anglingwhich
Walton
had but slightly
treated on, but as it takes
Walton's
his master
had left
where
Venator,
just
piscatory
disciple,
up
him ; and this connexion between the two parts will be clearly
seen, when
it is remarked,that the traveller whom
and
Cotton invites to his home
in
and
also
instructs
the
art
of
we
so
hospitably
fly-fishing
entertains,
of
be
to
this
traveller
one
and, Venator, the pupil Walton, come out
say
what will be found
in
and
the same
Not farther to anticipate
person.
the Second Part,it shall here sufiice to say, that there is great spirit
that the same
in the dialogue
conversible,communicative
temper
; and
in
that
the pieceit accompanies.
so
eminently distinguishes
it,
appears
"

"

1662, Walton

In

lost his wife.

She

was

buried in the cathedral church

' '

a
inscription
tells,that she was
of primitivepiety; her great and
tian
such true humility,and blest with such Chrisher worthy of a more
monument."
memorable
called after his father,
Izaak,a daughter,named

of Worcester, and her monumental

of remarkable
woman
prudence, and

generalknowledge, with
meekness, as made

She left oftspring,

a son,
after
herself.
The
Anne,

chaplainto Dr.

Seth

entered

son

into

bishopof

holy orders,
favour

and

became
he attained

Ward,
Sarum, by
of that cathedral.
He died at the
dignityof a canon
residentiary
much
for
of
his
dour
candiscretion,
respected,
sixty-nine,
temper,
good
age
all
of
The
and sincerity,
the
the
diocese.
ried
mardaughter
clergy
by
Dr. W. Hawkins, prebendaryof Winchester.
In 1683, when he was
ninetyyears old, Walton published, Thealmar
whose

to the

''

and Clearchus,a pastoralhistory,in smooth and easy verse, written

long
friend of Edmund
since by John Chalkhill,Esq. ; an acquaintanceand
"
containing a very amiable
Spencer. To this poem he wrote a preface,

This

gentleman published,in
of Walton's

appearence
It
to Lord
Montague.
title of " Barker's
writer

than

anglers."

work,
was

the

book

lGyl,two
previouslyto the
years
year
entitled " The Art of Angling," dedicated

rejjrintedin 1653, and

Delight,or

AValton, the latter has been

of

again in 1659, with

Angling." Though an
father
designated,"the common

the Art

the

larged
en-

earlier
of all

SKETCH

WALTON

OF

He

LIFE.

VU

little time after the lication

pubhis days on the
of this poem,
for, as Wood
says, he ended
at Winchester,in the
fifteenth day of December, 1683, in the great frost,
He was
buried in the
Dr. William
Hawkins.
house of the above-named
Silksteed's
and
called
Prior
in
the
fourth
in
a
Cathedral,
chapel
aisle,
character of the author.

chapel:

large black

on

the poetry whereof

memory,

HERE

flat marble

has very

is this

stone

THE

RESTETH

THE

DYED

very

BODY

his

inscriptionto
it.

littleto recommend

ISAAC

MR.
WHO

lived but

OF

WALTON,

15tH

OF

1683.

DECEMBER,

Alas ! he's gone before.

Gone to return no more
;
Our panting breasts aspire
After their aged sire.
Whose
well-spentlife did last
Full ninety years and past :
he hath begun
But now
That which wiU ne'er be done,
with eternal bliss.
Crown'd
We wish our souls with his.
Votis modestis'sic flerunt liberi.

Walton's
retirement from
Between
lives*
of
Dr.
the
Donne, Sir Henry

and

business

Mr.

his death,he wrote

Richard
Hooker, Mr.

Wotton,
Sanderson,bishop of Lincoln,all learned and
minor passingevents.
He also wrote a few copiesof verses
on
piousmen.
and
view of some
of
the
a
particulars,
a
foregoing
retrospect
Upon
his
it
in
will appear
and
in
letter
mentioned
others
Will,
a subsequent
"mens
in
human
that essential ingredient
felicity,
that Walton possessed
tion
-third year he professes
a resoluin corpore sano
;" for in his eighty
Sana
than a hundred
to begin a pilgrimageof more
miles,into a country
be conceived for an
that can
the most difficultand hazardous
aged man
Dr.

George Herbert,and

doubtless to enjoy his favourite

and on the
of the Dove,
streams
diversion of anglingin the delightful
ninetieth anniversaryof his birthday,he, by his Will, declares himself
"
to be of perfect
memory.
accident
As to his worldly circumstances^-^iotwith standingthe adverse
of his beingobliged,by the troubles of the times, to quit London, and
been commensurate, as well with
to have
his occupation ^they
to travel

in, to visit his friend Cotton, and

"

appear
of any
wants

"

the wishes

the

as

For

"

it would

not

of the

covetous

connexions, such

in his relations and

as
visible,

but

and

concurrence

intemperate man
of circumstances

be almost presumptionto pray for.

the patronage of those many
prelatesand

to mention

church,

of pietyand

men

learning,with

whom

is

taries
digni-

he lived in

and worthy persons

ingenious

intimacyand friendship
; or, the many
and respect
whom
he correspondedand
conversed ; or, the esteem
testified by printedletters and eulogiumswhich his writingshad procured

close
with

the

remarkably cheap

second

number

Ingram, Cooke,

of
and

"

Co.

illustrated

The

Universal

(priceOne Shilling) of them forms

Library,"publishingthis (1853) year, by

edition

SKETCH

Vlll

him

; to

mild

be matched
humble

and

OF

with

temper,

WALTON

of

woman

to have

an

children

LIFE.

exalted
of

understanding,and

good inclinations

and

sweet

amiable

is not
and to see
them
well settled,
the lot of
dispositions,
who, preferringa social to a solitarylife,chooses to become
every man,
the head of a family.
But blessings
like these are
comparativelylight,when weighed against
those of a mind
stored like his with
a
great varietyof useful knowledge,
and a temper that could harbour
malevolent
sign
no
thought or insidious debut disposed him to love
stoop to the arts of fraud or flattery,
; nor
and virtuous friendship,
to the enjoyment of innocent delightsand recreations,
of nature, and the ways
to the contemplation of the works
of Providence,
and to the still sublimer pleasuresof rational piety.
If,possessingall these benefits and advantages, external and internal,
together with a mental
constitution,so happily attempered, as to have
of cheerfulness,we
been to him
entertain
a
a
can
perpetual fountain
of
of
them
doubt that Walton
at
the happiest
estimate
one
was
we
men,
and

rate

too

to which

low,
it is

and

show

ourselves

even
possible,

ignorant

in this

of

the nature

for virtuous
life,

and

of that

good

men

felicity,
with

blessingof Grod to arrive.

foregoingbiographicalsketch is condensed from the life of Walton
prefixedto an edition of his "Complete Angler" published in 1797 by
Sir J. Hawkins, who in a remote
degree (Anne Walton's only daughter
married a Hawkins) was
ancestor,
by affinitydescended from the common
of all anglers.
figuratively,

the

The

WALTON

HOUSE,

DEDICATOHY.

EPISTLE

THE

TO

RIGHT

THE

JOHN

MADELEY

OP

My

Sir,
to

most

"

and

made

that

entreat,
have

on

fish

and

of

discourse

IN

Esq.,
COUNTY

THE

STAFFORD.

OF

FllIEND,
ill

so

they

put

OFFLEY,

MANOR,

nON-QURED

I have

WORSHIPFUL

of

use

be

may

modest

former

your

enlarg-ed

conlidence,
which

lishing,

favours,

the

to

know

you

and

shall

that,

be

of

love

this

book

and

it is

because

denied,

both

and

encouraj?ed

be

to

protection

not

well,

so

them

by

as

patronage

practise

so

much.
You
art

assured,

are

and

you

fruits

by

the

to

your

dedicate

be

to

of

men

know

this

been

been

is

the

pleasant

to
so,

of

great

had

here

being

that

diminish

that

it

can

your

am

beget

be

give rest
is often)

there

be

be

to
many

now

art, that

this

practise

and

lation
emu-

an

diligence

And

love

them

in

the

of

eye-witnesses

beget
industrious

an

which

lived

thought
I

liable

to

so

contribute

pleasure,

him

to

do

could

I
as

weak,

to

make

this

of
than

no

longer

than

to

lest
add

affectionate
And

humble

this

make

epistle

this

following

friend.
most

own

longer

servant,
Iz.

Wa.

do

my

sir, might

Sir,
most

which,

and

others,

censure

really,
Your

made

better

some

perusal,
view

common

you,

And

knowledge.

your

seen

his

had

he

often

English.

which

against

had

worthy

intentions

his

hath

have

nation,

doubtless

and

which

angler

proved

myself,

excuse

exceptions

many

shall

as

of

in
yet see
unworthy

never

that

me,

that

this

of

master

nations,

those

angling

great

so

other

told

unlearned

have

and

rather

should

of

has

remembrance

the

might

in

amongst

art)

praise

in

the

are

you

divers

and

this

of

it, then

that

nothing
I

lover

which

of

wisdom:

art, and

the

treatise

fishing, of
practices

and

prevented

that

and
and

pens

undertaken,
be

may

freely confess,

discourse
one,

have

some

mine

fish

(a dear
of

not

for if he had
sorry;
treatise
of this
art, a

But

and

you,

doubtless

capacities.

common

experience,

and

learning

Wotton

discourse

if death

of

the

me

though

might

by

learning,

curiosity

Henry

write

were

done

emulation

that

worthy

men

Sir

remember

an

truth.

thought

reputed

is

angling
demonstrated

is

to
purpose
and
(which

you

business,

attend
it would

skill,

your

attainable

not

wisdom,

great

I speak

Sir,
has

it

I know

truth

this

when

serious

should

Anglers
but

fortune
your
and
like you,

that

enjoy,

you
more

your

belief, that

another

and
;

recreation.

common

of

not

but

this

of

men

others

which

of

yourself

to

if

ignorant
than

labour

pleasant

two

or

be

better

art

divest

time,

which

success,

80;

and

day

At

that

that

of

mind,

there

though

know

may

truth,

Jllttstrations.

of

%\^t

FRONTISPIECE.
TITLE.

ORNAMENTAL
TITLE.

ORIGINAL

MONOGRAM,

WOTTON
Donne
Cotton

PAGE

Salmon

117

^1

Pike

132

170

Carp

151

241

Bream

Title

Waltok

158
.

VIGNETTES

Tench

365

Eel

177

viii

House

Walton's
HoBSE

Lea-beidge

Gkoom,

AND

Abbey

"VValtham:
Old

FISH

^^^^

PORTRAITS:

239.

page

Rte-House

Islam

Gudgeon

188

52

Ruffe

187

60

Bleak

188

Roach

198

Dace

199

249

Minnow

211

251

Loach

211

260

Miller's

243

Hall
Hall

AsHBORNE

182

185

Weie

Teddington

Barbel

13

......

Stbaits

of

Dove

Dale
.

Fishing-House

Cotton's

Pike

211

Thumb

279

Pool

TACKLE
AsHBOENE

Church

313
Flight
Salmon

FISH:
Chub

50

Gorge

Trout

71

Natural

Grayling

106

Artificial

Perch

168

Fly-making

105

Hooks

OF

118

Fly

14i2

Hook

314

Flies

315

Flies

316
....

XI

CONTENTS.

I.

PART

JFirstIBay.
PAGE

I. A Dialoguebetween

Chaptee

(an Angler),Venatoe

Piscatos

(a Hunter),
13

(a Falconer)

and AucEPS

Secontr Ba^.
II. Of the Ottee, otter-hunting, and

Observations

the

about

Habits
44

of the Chub

^i)irtrBag.
III. How
IV.

(by no

an

to

to make

52

...

and

Breeding of

the Milkmaid's

for,and how

fish

and

artificialMinnow

Chttb

sound) of the Nature

to tish for him

how

Directions

the CHAVEH-DEEor

means

and how

the Teout,
V. More

andcook

tofishfor

Observations

Song

for the

60

Teout

Flies

70

J^ourt^Bap.
VI. Observations

of the

Umbee

Grayling

or

and

Dii-ections how

to

tish for him

106

VII.

Observations

of the Salmon;

VIII.

Observations

of the Pike

Directions

how

; Directions

how

to fish for him

Directions

how

to

IX.

Observations

of the Carp;

X.

Observations

of the Beeam

; and Directions

XI.

Observations

of the Tench

XII.

Observations

of the Peech

of the Eel,

and

XIII. Observations
how

how

Directions
other

131

fish for him

to catch

147

him

157

to angle for him

how

Fish

164

167

to fish for him

that want

and

Scales

172

Observations

of the Barbel;

XV.

Observations

of the

XVI.

Advice

111

to fish for them

XIV.

how

to fish for him

Directions

Gudgeon,

the

Ruefe,

ISO

to fish for him

how

and

the

and

Bleak

186

to fish for them

Is of Nothing,

that which

or

190

is Nothing worth

Bai?.
"iitJ){last)
XVn.
XVIII.

Of Roach

and

Of the Minnow
Miller's

Dace, and how

or

Thumb

Penk,

to fish for them

of the Loach,

and

and of the

of Cabts
Bull-Head

196

or

210

CONTENTS.

xii

PAGK

CnAPTEB

XIX.

Of several Pavers

XX.

Of

XXI.

First and
Third

The

Fourth

Day,

or

Days

half

in the middle

to the

Fifth

Trout
and

Chapter,

and

Fishing.
extends

to

Day, comprising five Chapters,

the First Part

angler,terminates

mere

Venator

love of the art caused

study,and practice of

and

Chnb

on

of the Fifth

Chapter, inclusive. The

days only

conversational, each.

Chapter, simply

Chapters and

two

Complete Angler." Piscator

three

217

Rod
223

interestingones

means

of" The

them

Lnie, and for the colouringof both

contain

Day begins

the Sixteenth
no

213

....

to order

of

making

of Fish

Line

Second

The

by

for

Observations

some

Fish-Ponds, and how

Directions
and

The

; and

intended

them

to

angle for

two

prolongtheir teaching,

to

it.

PAET

II.

jFirstBaw.
Chapter

II. C
III-

Venator

Piscator

between

l')^ Dialogue

First

of the

of the

Rivers, and

V.
VI.
VII.

"Top," at the

at the

Of

Fly-iishingand Fly-Making

practicalLesson

Lists

of

for

March, April, and May

the Green-Drake

Chapters
and

other

Ban.
"

"

at the

Middle," and

Bottom"

263

264

the

and

Months

of

showing also how

May-Fly, and how

or

Dove

(the

2 13

Fly-Fishing for Trout

on

Flies

Artificial

River

the

these

of Beresford

Sfcontf
Angling

All

Book).

initiatorj',
descriptive of
cliiefly

are

vicinous

IV.

(Cotton) and Viator

Junior

Part

Grayling

274

January, February,
dib

to

dape with

or

that famous

to make

Fly

artificially
VIII.

Of

the

281

Stone-Fly; also

September,

of Flies

List

the

on

for

and

October, November,

Remarks

good

Green-Drake,

June, July, August,

with

December;

some

Stone-Fly, and

and

on

295

Poaching

^!;iitf(last)Bat).
IX.

Short

Dialogue,and

Viator
X.
XI.

Showing how
Teaches
and

XII.

fishes

the

Lapse

successfullyby

Trout
Art

and
of

Angling

in

Grayling

Angling

on

the Part

of Piscator.
302

himself

at

are

the

best cooked
with

Bottom

303
....

Worms,

Grubs,
305

Cadis

Contains

Directions

for Trout, and

Farewell

between

touching Angling
with

Piscator

Worm,
Junior

at the

Grub,
and

or

Middle
Cadis

Viator

with
for

now
Min-

Grayling.

.310
.

KOR^E

a.ND

GROOM,

LEA

BRIJJQE.

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER

PART

THE

FIRST.

CHAPTER
AN

BETWIXT

CO^NTERENCZ

EACH

I.
A

ANGLEE,

HIS

C0M3IENDING

AND

HUNTER,

FALCONER

RECREATION.

[JFirst"aij.]

PlSCATOR^ YeNATOR,
PiscATOR.

morning

You
both

to you

well

are

you,

towards

whither

Ware,

overtaken, Gentlemen

; I have

hill to overtake

stretched

hoping
I

AuCEPS.

your

am

my

this

may

good

Tottenham-

legsup

business

going

occasion

tine, fresh

yon

May

morning.
Yenator.

hopes

Sir,

I for

; for my

purpose
Thatched-house
in
the
I

come

thither,where

my
is to

part shall almost

drink

Hoddesden,
I

have

my
and

answer

your

morning's draught
I think

appointed a

not

friend

to
or

at

rest till

two

tO'

14

COMPLE^.E

THE

"

ANGLER.

you see with me, I

far he intends his journey ; he came
so
Imow
not how
lately
had time to ask him
that I have scarce
into my company,
the question.
AucEPS.
Sir,I shall,by your favour,bear you company as
meet

far
to

me

who

friend's house

long to

gentleman that

for this

but

and
Theobald's,'"'

as
a

there leave you ; for then I turn up

for me, which I now
hawk
mews
a

see.

Yen.

Sir,we

morning

; and

all so

are

happy

as

to have

shall each

hope we

fresh,cool
fine,

be the

happierin

the

other's company.
And, gentlemen,that I may not lose yours,
I shall either abate or amend
my pace to enjoy it ; knowing
in a journeymakes
that,as the Italians say, "Good company
the way
Aug.
which

to

the shorter."

seem

It may
methinks

do

so,

we

sir,with the helpof good discourse,

promisefrom

may

you that both look and

part I promiseyou, as an

; and
speakso cheerfully

for my
invitation to it,that I will be as free and open-hearted
as
to be with strangers.
discretion will allow me
Yen.

And, sir,I promise the like.

Pisc.

am

hear

rightglad to

your

and

answers,

in confidence

you speakthe truth,I shall put on a boldness to ask

business or pleasurecaused you to be so
you, sir,whether
early up, and walk so fast ; for this other gentlemanhath
declared that he is

going to

see

that

hawk

friend

mews

for him.

Sir,mine

Yen.

is

pleasure
; for

more

then bestow

and

mixture

I intend this

another

both,a littlebusiness and

day to do all my business,
in hunting the Otter,
two

of

day or

I go to meet, tells me
is much
than any other chase whatsoever : howsoever,I mean
for to-morrow
morning we shall meet a pack of
which

that
friend,

pleasanter
try it ;

to

Otter-dogs

who will be there so

Sadler's,
upon Am well-hill,
the sun-rising.
earlythat they intend to prevent [forestall]
and my
Pisc. Sir,my fortune has answered
desires,
my

of noble Mr.

purpose is to bestow

day or

two

helpingto destroysome
because
hate them perfectly,
in

of those villanous vermin ; for I

they love fish so well,or rather,because
indeed

so

much

that,in my judgment,all

oughtto have
Otter-dogs
*

house

theydestroyso

built by Lord

exchanged with
Salisbury,

pensionsfrom

Burleigh

James

in

the

Herts, and

I, for Hatfield-house.

men

much

that

keep

king,to encourage
by his

son, an

Earl

of

THE

them

destroythe

to

much

mischief.

Yen.

But what

so

COMPLETE

very breed

15

ANaT.^Jl.

Otters,
they do

of those base

say you to the Foxes of the Nation,would

have them destroyed
1 for doubtless they
willingly

not

you as
do as much

mischief

Pisc. O

as

Otters do.

sir,if they do,it is

those
as
fraternity,

not

much

so

to

and

me

my

the Otters do.

base vermin

Why, sir,I

Aug.

are
fraternity
pray, of what
you, that
you are so 'angry with the poor Otters?
Pisc. I am, sir,a brother of the Angle,and therefore an

to the Otter :* for you are to note that

enemy
love one another,and therefore do I hate the

and for their sakes who

own

my

Vent. And
a

pack of dogs
make
Aug.

many

Otter,both

for

of my brotherhood.
lover of Hounds
; I have followed many
men
a
mile,and heard many merry huntsare

sport and scoJfFat Anglers.

And

and have heard many

profess
myselfa Falconer,
men
pitythem, it is such a heavy^contemptible,

serious

grave

am

Anglersall

we

dull,recreation.
PiSG.
art

any

You

know, gentlemen,it is an

easy thingto scoff at

littlewit,mixed with ill-nature,
fidence,
con-

recreation ; a
malice,will do it ; but

or

and

thoughthey often venture

in their own
boldly,yet they are often caught,even
trap,
that
to
of Lucian,the father of the family
of scoffers.
according
Lucian,well

skill'din

this hath writ,

scoffing,
which you think your wit
Friend,that's your folly,
This, you vent oft,void both of wit and fear,
Meaning another,when yourself
you jeer.

this you add what

they are an abomination

If to
^*

The

all

the

otter
rivers

destructive

to

Solomon

that
says of scoffers,
to mankind," let them that think

disappeared from
Metropolitan counties.

almost

has
of

the

trout

and

small

river

the

Lea, and

This

is now

fish ;

rare

animal

amphibious

in
is

it may
but, strange
the
worst
destroying trout,
as

appear,
of salmon, by
enemies
the conservator
he proves
of that fish. The
otter cannot, in open
water, catch the salmon, who is too
and confined
fleet for him; but he sometimes
captures that fish in shallow

water,
kills

more

them

When

by stratagem than speed. Trout the

large numbers, to the delightof the
in the act of spawning, they are
are

in

salmon

Otter

can

run

down.

of salmon

owners

surrounded

He
rivers.

gering
by trout,hun-

after the ova, the greater portion of which

they would devour were
off
not beaten
Trout, moreover,
by one or other of the breeding salmon.
the Otter does
voraciouslyon salmon-fry,so that by destroying them

they
feed

good

with
Otter-hounds, is very exciting
salmon-hunting. Otter-fishing,
is
and
western, and northern
to
confined
the
midland,
now
principally
sport,
Otter packs of the Earl of
The
of Scotland.
counties, and to the lowlands
Ed.
and the Marquis of Worcester
Aberdeen
are very celebrated.

service

to

"

16

COMPLE^?^:

THE-

ANGLER.

fitscofi on, and be scoffersstill; but I account

to

and to all that love virtue and

me

them enemies

angling.

for you, that have heard many

grave, serious men, pity
Anglers; let me tell you, sir,there be many men that are by
others taken to be serious and grave men, whom
we
contemn
And

and

pity.

A/hath made

jl

that

men

anxious

Men

that

them

of

taken

are
sour

spend all their

to

care

keep it ;

and then

be grave, because nature

to

complexion; money-getting
men,
in
first
a
nd
next in
time,
getting,
men

that

condemned

are

to be

rich,

borrow

discontented ; for these poor rich

alwaysbusy
and stand in no need to
Anglerspitythem perfectly,
their thoughtsto think ourselves so happy. No, no,

sir,we

enjoya

we

men,

or

and
like

contentedness

the learned and

as

himself,freely, When
"

other with mutual

knows
?

me

my

the

for

censures

cat

and

I entertain

with
as playing
apishtricks,

"

each

garter,who

sport than she makes

my cat more
to
her
be simple,
that has her time to
refuse to playas freely
I
as
myselfhave !" Nay, who

but

that it is

than to

her
understanding
with one another),
but that she

pities

playwith

her,and laughsand
being
for making sportfor her,when we two play
my folly
no

together?
Thus

of such dispositions,

ingenuousMontaignesays

defect of my not
doubtless cats talk and reason
language(for
that we agree no better *? And who knows
me

reach

but that I make

Shall I conclude

beginor
knows

above

wiser

'

freely
speaksMontaigneconcerningcats

^ and

hope

I may take as great a liberty

to blame any man, and laughat
him too,let him be never
heard what
so grave, that hath not

Anglerscan

of their art and recreation ;

say in the justification
I may againtell you is so fullof pleasure,
that we need
borrow their thoughtsto make ourselves happy.

which
not

Yen.
no

Sir,you have almost amazed me ; for though I am

scofier,
yet I have,I pray let me speakit without ofi:ence,

and more
patient
upon Anglersas more
than I fear I shall find you to be.
men,
Pisc. Sir,I hope you will not judge my earnestness

always looked

impatience:

and

for my

if by
simplicity,

that you

simple
to be

mean

which was
usuallyfound in
simplicity
who were, as most Anglersare, quiet
the primitive
Christians,
that were
and followers of peace ; men
so simplywise,
men,
and
with them
to selltheir consciences to buy riches,
as not
such simplemen
vexation and a fear to die ; if you mean
as
there were
fewer lawyers; when
lived in those times when
or
harmlessness,

men

might have

that

had

conveyedto
lordship
safely

them

in

17

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

pieceof parchmentno biggertliaiiyour hand, though several

sheets will not
us

then

myselfand

understood

such

be

Anglersto

take

this wiser age;

in
safely

do it

as
simple men
will
profession

those of my
but if by simplicity
you

I say, sir,
if you
I have spoken,
be

meant

be

gladto

so

to

express a
the excellent
generaldefect in those that professand practise
:

angling,1 hope in time to disabuse you,

that,if you will but
contraryappear so evidently,

art of

to hear me,

have
prejudice,

time, or

or

all the

I shall remove

and make
have

that
anticipations

possessed
you

laudable and ancient art ; for I know

of a wise man.
and practice

with

patience

discourse,

againstthat

it worthythe

But, gentlemen,though I be able

the

knowledge

this,I am not so
unmannerlyas to engross all the discourse to myself; and,
the one
to be
therefore,
having declared yourselves,
you two
I shall be most glad
a lover of hawks, the other of hoiinds,
hear

to

what

can

you

recreation which

in

say

each of you

the

to do

commendation

of

that

love and

practise
; and having /
heard wliat you can say, I shall be glad to exercise your /
recreation/
attention with Avhat I can say concerningmy own
and by this means
shall make the way!
and art of angling,
we
to

shorter ; and if you

Falconer to begin.

Mr.

have

Your

Auc.

motion

it,I
testify

to

will

is consented

to with

motion, I would
all my

heart ; and

you have desired me.

for the element that I use to trade in,
lirst,

And
the

likb my

the

seem

beginas

"

air,
"

an

of

element

worth

more

than

weight
"

an

which

is

element

that doubtless exceeds both the earth and water; for though
deal in both,yet the air is most properly
I sometimes
mine,
"

I and

hawks

my
it

that most,

iise

and

it

yieldsus

most

tion
recrea-

soaringof my

the

:
noble, generous
stops
high
falcon ; in it she ascends to such a heightas the dull eyes of
beasts and fish are not able to reach to ; their bodies are too

not

gross for such

soar

up

on

in the air my troops of hawks

they are lost in the sightof men,

highelevations

high,and

when

with the gods; therefore

they attend upon and converse
in ordinary
I think my eagleis so justlystyled Jove's servant
now
;" and that very falcon that I am
going to see,
for she usuallyin her flight
en dandeserves no meaner
title,
her wings
like the son
of Djedalus,to have
gel's herself,
but
her mettle
it ;
scorched by the sun's heat,she fliesso near
heeds
but
makes her careless of danger ; for then she
nothing,
and
fluid
makes
nimble
the
her
makes her
so
air,
pinionscut

then

"

18

COMPLETE

THE

the

highway over

ANGLER.

mountains
steepest

and

deepestrivers,and
contempt upon those high

looks with
gloriouscareer
and magnificent
palaceswhich
steeples
v"diich heightI can make
her
at j from
in her

from

of meat
home

(whichshe

mouth

my

from

with

hand, to

my

and

me,

both

knows

own

wonder

by

word

to accept
obeys),

for her

me

and

to descend

and

willingthe next

be

adore

we

day

to

master,

to afford

me

go
the

like recreation.
And

more

the worth

have

not

the face of the

on

of air which

such, and it

of it is
whatsoever,

creature

feed

this element

is of such

only those

professto trade in,

that no
necessity,

numerous

earth,but those various

dwellingwithin

their

creatures

that

creatures

that

the

that

waters, every creature

stands in need of my element.
life in its nostrils,

hath

The

preserve the fish without air,witness the not

is,for that
breakingof ice in an extreme frost :'"'the reason
cannot

waters

and expiringorgan of any animal be stopped,

inspiring
it suddenlyyieldsto nature, and dies. Thus necessary is air
both of fish and beasts,
to the existence
to man
nay, even

if the

himself; the air or breath of life with which God at first

becomes
inspiredmankind, he, if he wants it,dies presently,
sad

objectto

instant

to

turns

Nay

both

are

that I must

They

loved

and

beheld

him,

and

in

very birds
and

so

many
not let them

of the
so

air,those that be not

useful and pleasantto mankind,

pass without
refresh him
feed him

both feed and

"

observations.

some

with

their choice

bodies,and refresh him with their heavenlyvoices. I will

imdertake
is done

his curious

and

with

by which this
palatepleasedby day, and which
afford him a soft lodging
at night

their very excrements

these I will pass by ; but not

"

not

the several kinds of fowl

to mention

"

an

putrefaction.

the

more,

hawks,

all that

those littlenimble

musicians

of the air,that warble forth their curious ditties,

with which
of art.
nature hath furnished them to the shame
the lark,when
As, first,

means

those that hear

and

she

singsas

ascends

Though deep

ice.

In

shallow

quadrupeds

"

waters

to cheer herself
rejoice,
quitsthe earth,and

then mute

having ended

and

sad,to think

be frozen over, fish will live in them

beneath the
frequentlyfrozen to death.
Fish, like certain
bear, the marmot, and the little dormouse, frequently

may

waters, fish

the northern

to

her ; she then

higherinto the air,and

heavenlyemployment,grows

her

she

are

increase
torpid state during winter, and only revive with renewed
of temperature of the water, caused
by rains or atmospheric influence. Ed.
remain

in

"

THE

she

descend

must

touch, but
How

for

do

melodious

the blackbird

she

thrassel

warble

with
[thrush],

to the cheerful

forth such

smaller birds also do

not

their
in

and
spring,

ditties

as

art

no

the like in their

the
the leverock,the titlark,
namel}^,

as,

would

or

reach to ?

can

Nay, the

earth,which

and

voices,bid welcome

instrument

and

dull

necessity.

their fixed months

seasons,

the

to

19

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

the honest

robin, that loves mankind

particular

littlelinnet,

both

alive and

dead.
But

the

of my airycreatures,breathes
of her littleinstrumental
throat,

another
nightingale,

such sweet

loud music

out

that it

might make mankind

that at midnight,
when

He

should

descants,the

natural

of
redoubling

her

"

say,

And
in

which

thou

think

for

said.

from

My

aviaries

at the many

which

it

of
pleasure,

next

two

it is not

to

by Noah,

armies.

more

I
use.
political
have been taught

But

Rhodes

or

it is

certain,that

(Inow

remember

carry and
G. Sandys,in his Travels,relates it
then

related to

Aleppo and Babjdon.

be doubted
to

much

very

that swallows*

was),pigeons are
Mr.

which

shall be of birds of

Malta
besieged

recarry letters. And

to be done between

of

men

travel.

to be doubted

the Turks

of the ark

earth f

on

record,or layup in their memories,

to carry letters between

not

such music

men

of those notables which

one

for the birds of

'tisnot

when

sweet

the saints in

providedfor

the less to wonder

me

either

they return

might be

airs,the

the ruins of
greatchargeof Varro's aviary,
be seen
in Rome, and is stillso famous there,

foreignnations
This

thou

affordest bad

that it is reckoned
when

securely,
sleeps

at the

yet to

are

hast

music

this makes

or
Italy,

ceased.

not

are

the doublingand
risingand falling,
voice,might well be lifted above earth,and

Lord, what

heaven, when

miracles

the very labourer

very often,the clear

I have

hear,as

to think

give him

But

believed,
if that be dis-

that the dove

notice of

was

sent

out

to him

land,when

and as superstitious,
knowledge of Natural History was as superficial
if I may
be allowed tlie use of the epithet,
in many
respects,as that of a
Munster
peasant or Highland shepherd of the present day. No birds can be
trained to flyto and /row places. The carrier-pigeon will only flywith a message,
generallywritten on a slipof oiled-tissue paper lapped round theleg,/ro?re
*

Walton's

place

from
not

to which

its home
an

outimrd

or

the

bird

dove-cot
one.

"

is taken, to its home.

to

given place

Ed.

b2

; it can

It will not
make

carry

return

message
voyage, but

20
all

appearedfco

be

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

the dove

; and

sea

And

comfortable

messenger.
pair of turtle-doves or

proved a

faithful and

for the sacrifices of the

pigeonswere

young

as

well

law, a

accepted

And
when
God
would
feed the
costlybulls and rams.
prophetElijahafter a kind of miraculous manner, he did it
by ravens, who brought him meat morning and evening.
Lastly,the Holy Ghost, when he descended visiblyupon our
And
to
Saviour, did it by assuming the shape of a dove.
as

conclude

this

wonders

were

they and

of my

these
discourse,pray remember
done by birds of the air,the element in which

part

I take

much

pleasure.
habitant
There is also a little contemptiblewinged creature,an inof my aerial element, namely,the laborious bee, of
and regulargovernment of their own
whose prudence,
policy,
commonwealth, I might say much, as also of their several
kinds,and how useful their honey and wax are both for meat
so

"

medicines

and

mankind

to be all very

flowers that
And

busy

we

at this very

in

long a digression;
you

amongst

us

Gerfalcon

The

Falcon

The

Laner

The

Bockerel

The

Hobby

to

are

in this

The

whom

nation,
Jerkin,

and

and
and

Tassel-gentel,
Lanaret,

and

and

Blood-red

The

Waskite

And

Jack

is the Stelletto of

The

there is of

I have

note, that thay are

Bockeret,
The Saker and Sacaret,
The Merlin and Jack Merlin,

There

to

their

made

usually

kinds ; namely,the long-wingedand

first kind, there be chiefly
: of the

hawk
short-winged
use

them

disturbance,believingthem
time amongst the herbs and

hawks, from

to my

into two
distinguished

the

I will leave

puts forth this May morning.

nature

see

to return

now

; bub

the least

labour,without

sweet

too

to

"

Book
from

Spaiu,

from

Turkey,
Yirginia:

hawks.
short-winged

The

Eagleand Iron,

The

Goshawk

The

Sparhawk and Musket,

The

French

and

Tar

Pve, of

eel.
two

sorts.

These

of

xilsohawks

worth

; but

The

Stanyel,the Ringtail,

The

Kaven, the Buzzard,

The

Kite,the Bald Buzzard,

Heu-driver,and others that I forbear
Forked

The

I should

Gentlemen, if
of

haTc

we

rank,

inferior

an

and

of note

hawks

reckoned

are

21

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

the

haggard,and
their several

"'

name.

to the observation

discourse

enlargemj

to

eiries,the brancher, the raniish hawk,

then treat
the two
sorts of lentners,and

renovation

of their

and

then

to

come

of

and
casting,
feathers : their reclaiming,
dieting,
stories of practice
rare
; I say, if I

their
ayries,

the

the

their

wings,rare

me

order of

other observations that I

these,and many
";ould make, it would be much, very much
pleasureto me :
should

into

enter

but lest I should

the rules of

break

to
civility

you,

by taking

of time allotted to me, I will

than the proportion
up more
here break off,
and entreat you, Mr. Venator, to say what you
of hunting,
to which
able in the commendation
are
you are
much

so

favour

affected ; and, if time will serve, I will beg your

of those several
for a further enlargementof some

of which

heads

I have

begin with a commendation

of the Air
most
excellently
upon
The

which
earth

I drive
is

no

beneficial
universally

present.

now

earth

; the

element

being that

wholesome, hungry
pleasant,

my

solid,settled element

at

more

take my turn, and will first

have done
of the Earth,as you

Well, sir,and I will

Yen.

But

spoken.

both

to

and

man

element

an

"

trade.

beast

to

most
who

men

have their several recreations upon it,as horse-racing,

hunting,
and
all
earth
feeds
the
sweet
walks
:
smells,pleasant
man,
those

several

recreation.

beasts

pleasuredoth

What

stately
stag,the

It is evident, from

this

not

art of

and

the raven,
Of the

game.

adept in the
are

not

other

list of

falcons

so-called
The

hawking.
at

birds named

man

him, and

all, and

were

afford

him

hunting the
boar,the cunning

take

buck, the wild

generous

was

an

feed

both

that

in

falcons, that "Walton's "Auceps"

blood-red
rook, the French i)ye,
to fly at winged
trained
never

in the list,only three

are

used

in

liawking,

be
viz.,the gerfalcon, the goshawk, and the falcon and tassel-gentel.It may
the
meant
is
to
peregrine
falcon"
explain the last two names.
By
necessary
tassel gentel" is merely the peregrine in
falcon, the best of all the tribe; and
hawks, and
its second or third year.
and
merlin
The
liobby are
very small
be said of
same
The
will catch quails,larks, and sometimes
may
partridges.
the sparrow-hawk.
The eagle, buzzard, hen-driver
(now called hen-harrier),
latter birds do not
In fact, these
and
valued
never
in hawking.
kite,were
"

"

jpursue

their quarry,

but pounce

upon

it.
"

Ed.

22

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

And

if I may
pleasureis it sometimes with

fox,and the fearful hare 1

otter,the crafty
descend

to

lower

what

game,

of the earth ] as, namely, the

very vermin
the pole
the fulimart,
the ferret,
-cat,the mould- warp,
fitchet,
and the like creatures
that live upon the face and within

ginsto betraythe

the bowels

of the earth !

How

both
herbs,flowers,and fruits,
mankind

! and

my heart,and
feasted Mark

the earth

have
Cleopatra

could

boars roasted whole

if the earth had

suitable,

supper, and other meat

bountiful mother 1 But

which

at

me

sharpensmy wit. How

Antony with eightwild

one
a

of
pleasure

the

physicand

the fruitful vine,of

least,
it clears my brain,cheers
moderately,

all,to

above

I drink

which, when

for

bring forth

earth

the

doth

been

by the mighty elephant,

and descend to the
nourisheth,

to

breeds and

not

at

pass

least of creatures,how doth the earth afford us

who
in the summer
example in the little pismire,

doctrinal

provides

to do the
and teaches man
laysup her winter provision,
like ! The earth feeds and carries those horses that carry us.
of my time and your patience,
wdiat
If I would
be prodigal

and

I say in commendations
of the earth 1 that
limits to the proud and raging sea, and by that means

might not

both
it

see

there

dailydoth those that venture

upon
drowned, and left to feed
shipwrecked,

that

we

beast,that it destroysthem

and

m"in

are

wise

so

as

keep ourselves

to

not, as

sea, and

the

haddocks
the

on

puts
serves
prewe
are

; when

earth,walk,

talk,and live,and eat,and drink,and go a hunting: of

which recreation I will say a little,
and then leave Mr. Piscator
and

to the commendation

Hunting

is

of

game

been

highlyprizedin

that

Xenophon
of

use

manly

manly

increase

was

hunter

Hunting trains

to
up the younger nobility
exercises in their riperage.f What
more

exercise than

fox, or

the

noble persons ; it hath

of the qualifications
one

and
princes

all ages ; it was

bestowed on his Cyrus,that he

of wild beasts.""'
the

angling.

for

wild

huntingthe

the hare 1

How

doth

boar,the stag,the buck,

it preserve health,and

!
and activity
strength

of Cyrus, book
i. chap. 5.
Cyrus, when a boy,
Cyropjedia,education
grandfather,Astyages, king of the Medes, who kejit
all sorts of wild beasts in large parks (paradeisoi,or paradises). Here
the
Persian prince hunted
continuallythe lion, the bear, and wild boar, and
young
in the sporting-field
Ed.
prepared himself for the battle-field.
*

paid

See
a

visit to his maternal

"

t Professor
the

John

Wilson

excellencyof

our

(the well-known

Kit

cavalryofficers to their

Duke

of Wellington kept a pack of fox-hounds

in their winter cantonments.
Ed.
troops were
"

in

North

of

Blackwood)

fox-huntingeducation.
Spain, and

hunted

when

butes
attriThe
his-

THE

And

for tlie

COMPLETE

23

ANGLER.

clogsthat we use, \vho can

heightwhich they deserve

commend

to that
excellency

is the hound

at

who
smelling,

first scent, but follows it

varieties of other scents,even
the earth !

What

never

perfect

forsakes his

or

through so
over

doth

music

leaves

their

'I How

changes and
many
and in the water, and into
pack of dogsthen make to

so
happy as to be set to
any man, whose heart and ears are
the tune of such instruments ! How
will a rightgreyhound
".x.his eye on the best buck in a herd, single
him out, and
follow him, and him
only,through a whole herd of rascal

and then kill him ! For my hounds, I

game, and stillknow
knov/ the languageof them, and they know
the languageand

meaning of

another

one

those with whom

I
and
of

discourse

we

know

as
we
perfectly

as

daily.

might

enlargemyselfin the commendation

of the

noble hound

dogsin general;

the voices of
of

hunting,

as also of the docibleness

especially,

and

land creatures,
that for

might make many observations of

and constitution,
order,figure,
composition,

and
approach nearest to the completeness
of man
of those creatures
which
; especially
in the law

and

permittedto

the

Jews, which

have

standing
underMoses

cloven

hoofs,

chew

the cud ; which I shall forbear to name,

because
I will not be so uncivil to Mr. Piscator,
a
as not to allow him
time for the commendation
of angling,
which he calls an art ;

but doubtless it is an
shall hear
a

watery

easy one ;
discourse of

and, Mr. Auceps,I doubt

it,but I hope it will not

we

be

longone.
Aug.

And

hope so too, though I

Pisc. Gentlemen, let

not

fear it will.

prejudice
prepossess

you.

fess
con-

recreation,
my discourse is like to prove suitable to my
calm and quiet; we seldom take the name
into our
of God
mouths but it is either to praisehim
or
jn-ay to him ; if
others

it

use

in
vainly

if they meant

as

fault

our

nor

to

our

the midst

I
conjure,

custom

we

of their

so vainly
recreations,

tell you that it is neither

must

protest againstit.

remember, I accuse
nobody ; for as I would
not put too much
so I would
watery discourse,"
it,nor would I raise the reputationof my own

not

"

diminution

or

to what

And

every

sort of

not

of another's."^ And

only like

so

pray
make
a

vinegarinto
art by the
for the prologue

much

to say.

mean

for the

now

Spoken

ruin

But

water, the element that I trade in.

an

angler,but like

field-sport,
though

he

true

sportsman, who

gives a preferenceto

one.

"

Ed.

The

appreciates

24

COMPLETE

THE

water

is the eldest

which

the

commanded

and

without

did

all
land, even
must
that have breath in their nostrils,
suddenly
chief
the
and
great lawgiver,
putrefaction.Moses,

creatures
to

which, those

called the

friend

of

inhabit

that

in all the

skilled
philosopher,
was

th.e element upon

creation,

the

first move,
the element which
to bring forth livingcreatures
abundantly;

God

Spiritof

God

return

daughterof

ANGLER.

the

the

of
learning

knew

God, and

who
Egyptians,

the

of the

mind

the first in the creation ; this

the Spiritof God did first move,

this element

Almighty,names

which

is the element

upon

and

in the creation : many philosophers

ingredient
to comprehend all the other elements, and

is the chief

have

made

it

most

allow

it the chiefest in

There

be that

water, and

to

in

box

any like
barrel full of

or

the

togetherafter
rooted and

tree

the tree

liundred

weighed;
the

to be without
the earth.
Hence
of

made

are

of

only : they

water

rain,or

speedy growing plant,newly

earth,weigh them all together

grow, and then

is increased from its first

begins to

pound weight

tree

water

again to

tures.
livingcrea-

demonstrate it tlius :

exactlywhen
weigh

back

willow,or

rooted

believe that all bodies

be reduced

may

endeavour
Take

to
profess

of all

the mixtion

and

you

diminution

dew,

and

of

it

when

shall find this

they infer this

from

than

more

weigh all
to
rooting,

augment of the

weightof

drachm

one

first

was

increase of wood

to be from

from

other

be

to

not

any
this wood

back
they afiirm they can reduce
be done
again to water ; and they afiirm also the same
may
in any animal or vegetable. And
this I take to be a fair tesof my element
of water.
of the excellency
', timony
is more
The water
productivethan the earth. Kay, the
element.

And

earth hath

no

the herbs and

the water
run

tops of

flowers and

produced,and thrive by
that
fed by streams
are

fruit

are

the very minerals

ground, whose natural

high mountains, as

many

; for all

showers

; and

imder

dews

fruitfulness without

breakingforth

on

the

also witnessed

by

the

carries them

course
we

or

see

to the

by several springs

tops of the highesthills ; and

this is

testimony of

several

dailytrial

and

miners.

Nay, the

increase of those creatures

that

are

bred and

fed

miraculous,but more
onlymore and more
of his life,
not onlyfor the lengthening
to man,
advantageous
for it is observed by the most
but for preventingof sickness,
in the

water

is not

THE

COMPLETE

25

ANGLEK.

.earned

off of Lent
tiuit the casting
plij^sicians,
days,which hath not only given the lie to so
of colleges,
for which
pious,wise founders

ashamed, hath doubtless

been

the

chief

putrid,shaking,intermitting
agues,
is

ours

now

subjectthan

more

unto

and

other fish

learned,

many

should

we

be

of those many
which this nation of

cause

those wiser countries that feed

herbs,salads,and plentyof fish ; of which it is observed

do.'^ And
story,that the greatestpart of tlie world now

on

in

it may be fit to remember

tliat Moses
appointedfish to
the chief diet for the best commonwealth
that ever

be

yet

was.t
And

it is observable,
not

only that there are fish,as, namely,

the whale, three times as big as the mighty elephant,
that is ]
fierce in battle,but that tlie mightiestfeasts have been of
so
fish. The Eomans
in the heightof their glory have
made
fish the mistress of all their entertainments
had
; they have
music to usher in their sturgeons,lampreys, and mullets,
which they would purchaseat rates rather to be wondered
at
than believed. He that shall view the writingsof Macrobius
Yarro

or

be confirmed

may

and

informed

incredible value of their fish and

of

this,and of the

fish-ponds.

Protestants
of them
vrill oat
certainlyhave cast off Lent; and many
Catholics
eat
meat
Good-Friday. Tlie majority of English Koman
four days out of the seven
of the Lenten
weeks.
Very few fast on fiAi from
Shrove
Tuesday to Easter Sunday : and in my opinion the latter would be far
*

The

meat

on

more

liable to agues
Walton

external

or

beef-eaters.

influences

in Piaster week, than

tlie Protestant

of
too much.
The inhabitants
prove
countries that should feed on " herbs, salads, and
of
would
never
fish,"
plenty
be so healthy and physicallypowerful as those whose
principal food might be
flesh-raeat

and

is
exclusively,
food

whose

and

bread.
much

The

to

golden eagle (falco crystatas),which feeds on flesli

powerfid bird than the sea-eagle(Jalco clnereus),

more

is fish,tlioughthe latter is the larger bird.

Ed.
not
He
appoint fish to be the " chief diet."
"

t Moses

did

of the

members

frequentlytries

what

fish

"

best commonwealth"

they

should

not

what

touch.

In

fish it is lawful

respect

merely
for them

to flesh-meat

Leviticus

same.

the waters

he

tells the
to eat,

does

xi. i),10, Moses

orders, " These shall ye eat of all that arc
whatsoever
hath tins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and

the
in

in

the rivers,them
shall ye eat.
scales in the
And
all that have
not fins and
in the waters, and of any living thing
seas, and in the rivers,of all that move
is in the waters, they shall be an abomination
which
unto
you." In Deut. xJv.
i),10, the great lawgiver repeats his fish-eating
clauses : " These
ye shall eat of
in the waters
are
shall
sc.iles
have fins and
: all that
ye eat : and

all that

unto
you."
not eat ; it is unclean
ye may
their
of
progenitors.
the
interdicts
little
edible
very
and tlio very best cooks of fish
They are, in England at least,great consumers,
scales" of plaice,soles,turbot, cod, barbel, tench, "c.
If the sumj)without

whatsoever
The

modern

hath

not

Hebrews

fins and

scales

heed

tuary laws of Moses were

be lost
fish shops would

observed
to

myriads

luxuries

by them, the economic

of Jews

and

Gentiles.

"

Ed.

of the fried-

26

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER.

I have almost lost myself,wliicli I confess

But, gentlemen,
I may easily
do in this philosophical
discourse ; I met with
of it very lately,
most
in a conference
and I hope,happily,
with a most
learned physician,
Dr. Wharton,'"'
a dear friend,
that loves both me
and my art of angling. But, however,
I will wade
no
deeper in these mysteriousarguments, but
with more
pass to such observations as I can manage
and less fear of running into error.
But
I must
forsake the waters,

whose

by

have

helpwe

so

pleasure,
not

yet

many

known

of

known

advantages.
And

Urst,to pass by the miraculous

baths,how
without

advantageousis

which

furnish

such

observations

not

with

us

How

now

daily traffic,

our

subsist !

How

does it not.

food and

physicfor the bodies,but with

mind
as
ingeniouspersons would

for the

ignoranthad

monuments,
unto

near

for

sea

our

want

the

could not

we

only

the

cures

urns,

old and

been

we

and

at,that

after his wish

of

beauty

rarities that

yet remain

as
E,ome, so many
view, and afford to each

new

therefore

And

learned and devout

so

Florence, of
in and

it is said will take

time to
up a year's
convenient
consideration
wondered

of the

Christ

of them

but

it is not

to

father

be

St. Jerome,

as

the

in

and to have
flesh,
heard St. Paul preach,makes
his third wish, to have
seen
Home
in her glory; and that gloryis not yet all lost,
for what

have

to

is it to
pleasure

of

the monuments

see

the historians ; of
bay-treesthat now

seen

best of orators

TuUy, the

of the

out

grow

Livy,the

choicest

; and

tomb

very

to

of

see

of
the

Yirgil!

These, to

must
be pleasing.But what
any that love learning,
is it to a devout
Christian to see there the humble
pleasure

house

in which

many

rich statues

St. Paul
that

content

was

made

are

to

in

dwell,and

Dr. Thomas

"Wharton,

an

professorof physic.

of his memory
!
St. Petert
and he lie

He

to Ptome.

physician and

eminent

the

honour

nay, to see the very place in which

buried too:ether! These are in and near

Gresham

to view

excellent

And

how

anatomist, and

lived in Aldersgate-street,London,

and

died

1673.

t The
the

deny

Protestants

Romish

not

only

assert, but that

writers

that
he

St. Peter
ever

of
Capellus. The sense
following epigram, alluding
simony practisedin that city

Apostolica of Lud.
in the
and

to the

lies buried
at

was

Rome.

the

Protestants

to

the pranomen

in the Vatican, as
See the Historia
on

"

"

An

Petrus

Simonem

fuerat
Romse

Romffi
nemo

sub judice lis est.

negat." H.

fuisse

"

this point is

pressed
ex-

of Peter, Simony

COMPLETE

THE

much

that

see

cloth it

more

pleasedto humble
and

to

and

the very

of
pleasethe piouscuriosity

which

placeon

the blessed Saviour

himself,and
with

converse

27

ANGLEK.

men

of
sepulchre

to take

to

:
our

of the world
nature

our

Mount

see

Lord

Christian to

was

him,^

upon

Zion, Jerusalem,

Jesus 1 How

it beget

may

heightenthe zeal of a Christian to see the devotions that

are
dailypaidto him at that place! Gentlemen,lest I forget
myself I will stop here and remember
yon, that but for my

and

element

of water, the inhabitants of this poor island must

remain ignorantthat such thingsever
were, or that any of
them have yet a being.

Gentlemen, I might both enlargeand

like

to have

; I might tell you

spoken to a fish but never

made

whale

in

the

on

that

arguments

shipto
appointedshore.
a

break

manners

myselfin such
Almighty God is said

beast ; that he
set his prophetJonah
to

carry, and

Of these I

for I
off,

lose

might speak,but

Theobald's

see

hath

house.

safe

I must

I cry your

mercy for beingso long,and thank you for your patience.

Aug. Sir,
grantedyou : I except against
my pardonis easily

nothingthat

have

said ; nevertheless I must

part with
at
this
for
which
I
am
park-wall,
you
very sorry ; but I assure
part with you full of good thoughts,
you, Mr. Piscator,I now
not onlyof yourself,
but your recreation.
And so, gentlemen,
God keepyou both.
Pisc.
nor

my

you

Well

now, Mr. Yenator, you shall neither want time

attention to hear you enlargeyour discourse concerning

hunting.
Yen.

Not

I, sir : I remember

of great antiquityand
attained to ; and you have

was

said that

you

perfect
art,and

so

won

upon

did

converse

togetherbut

the

high and

with

of it ; not

same

onlyof the

commendations

; and

few

art

an

what

happy thoughtsthat
but
antiquityof angling,
art,and

an

knowledgeand practiceof a wise

Yen.
Pray,sir,speakof them

you

now

easily
former

can

you

but if you

hours,to leave

that it is

not

in your

me

that I am
discourse,
very desirous to hear
farther concerningthose particulars.
Pisc. Sir,I did say so : and I doubt not

anglingitself

say

and

possessed
possess

me

that it deserves

an

art

worthy the

man.

what

have

you
House

think

for
fit,

wo

yet five miles to the Thatched

; during which
attention
walk, I dare promise you my patienceand diligent
shall not
which

be

wanting.

you have

And

vmdertaken

if you
"

shall make

first that

it is

that to appear
an
art,and an

-j^
"

28
worth

art

day

I shall heg that

learning,

and
a-hshing,

two

or

and

the

instructed

be

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

attend

I may
art itself which

that
the

in

I may
become

scholar

your

much

so

you

you

magnify.
Pisc.

sir,doubt

to deceive

art

with

trout

that

not

an

siglitedthan
sharp-

more

watchful

more

and

anglingis an art. Is
artificialiiy? a trout
hawk

any

timorous

than

your
to catch

an

! that is

named, and

have

you

it not

high-mettledmerlin

and yet I doubt

not
is bold ;*"*
morrow
tobrace or two
a
for a friend's breakfast ; doubt not,therefore,
sir,but
that anglingis an art, and an art worth your learning. The
"

whether
is rather,
[question

Ifor anglingis somewhat

t

j! mean,

with

like

inclinations to

discourse and

by

be

you

capableof learningit ?
to be born

are
poetry,men
both
it,though

be

may

so

ened
height-

be a
hopes
must
not
good angler,
only bring an inquiring,
searching,
but
he
of hope,
must
observingwit,
bringa largemeasure
and patience,
and a love and propensity
to the art itself; but
'
it,then doubt not but angling
havingonce got and practised
will prove to be so pleasant,
that it will prove to be like

virtue,a reward
Ven.

Sir,I

long much

:
practice

but he that

to

to itself
am

have

to

become

now

so

full of

that
expectation,

proceed; and

you

in the

order

you

propose.

Pisc. Then

for the antiquity

of angling,
of which I
first,
shall not say much, but only this ; some
say it is as ancient
Deucalion's flood : others,that Belus,wdio was
the first inventor
as
of

godly and
angling;

of

have

had

virtuous
and

recreations,was

say, for former

the antiquityof

about
disquisitions
the sons
of Adam, taught it
it

left it engraven
the
to preserve

was
on

ventor
first in-

others

some

their

Seth,one of
that by them,

the

times

it,that

his sons, and

derived to posterity
: others say, that he
and trusted
those pillars
which he erected,

knowledge of

the

to

mathematics, music, and

of that

the rest

preciousknowdedge and those useful arts

which
and his noble
by God's appointment or allowance
in Noah's
were
industry,
therebypreservedfrom perishing
flood.t
"*

is

"VValton

parted company
said to Venator,
It may
be taken

t Those
evidence

that

evidently thinking of Auceps, the falconer so named,

as
theyneared Tlieobald's House, otherwise lieAvould not
the hunter

with

in another

sense.

say

this

to contradict

are

hounds
"

and

not

with

hawks,

"

your

who
have

merlin."

Ed.

very safe in their assertion,for there is no

that the
it. It may, however, be observed

ing
remainsame

has

COMPLETE

THE

These,Sir,have been
have possiblyendeavoured
than

is

needful,or

I shall content
the

than

of

opinions of
make

to

several

Incarnation

the

mention

Job, which

; but

that

of

that

men

anglingmore

well be warranted

may

prophet Amos'"

the book

the

myself in telling
you,

ancient

more

29

ANGLER.

ancient

for my

part,

anglingis much
Saviour

; for in
of fish-hooks ; and
in

is made

our

long before the days of Amos,

for that book is said to be writ by Moses, mention
is made
also of fish-hooks,
which must
imply anglersin those times.
But, my worthy friend,as I would rather prove myself a
sive,
gentleman,by beinglearned and humble, valiant and inoffenvirtuous and communicable, than by any fond ostentation
of riches ; or, wanting those virtues myself,boast that these
in my

were

(andyet I grant that

ancestors

descent, and

ancient

was

such

merit

where

in

meet

noble and

any

it is

man,

double

of that person)
dignification
; so if this antiquityof
angling,which for my part I have not forced,shall,like an
ancient family,be either an
honour
to this
ornament
or
an
virtuous art which I profess
I shall be
to love and practise,
the

gladderthat

I made

accidental

an

mention

of it,of which I shall say no more, but

which I think it deserves.
just commendation
And

for

hath

that,1 shall fcellyou, that in

and
arisen,

happinessof

it remains

in this

man

Concerningwhich
opinion

mortals

been

and

also

freemasonry

Abraham,

Moses

*^

and
In

these

words

times

whether

bate
dethe

in contemplation

more

"

your

"Behold

saying,that

of

the

imitation,the

arts ; and, if I mistake

the former
whereof
and

maintain

to

nearer

we

happy

more

not, of the hermetic

Ashmole

the fathers

has the

fidence
con-

the flood, as

before

gomena
See the ProleSolomon, wrought many
wonders.
such
there is more
Britannkum, in which

Chemiciim
If.

of Amos,

and

endeavoured

of it Adam

iv. 2,
holiness, that, lo, the days shall

hooks,

by

way

other

means

absurdity.

the book

with

consist

concerning

and

to liis Thmtrum
nonsense

by

of many

affirm, that by

to

first ;

to God

come

have

some

of the

said in favour

science

ancient

yet unresolved

world,doth

that

proceedto

action ^

or

their

of the antiquity

Ave

find

come

posteritywith

"
"

upon

The

God

Lord

you,
fish-hooks."

that

He

In

hath

sworn

will take
Jeremiah

by His

away
you
xvi. 16, are

for many
fishers,saith the Lord, and they
for many
hunters, and they shall hunt
them
from
and out of the holes of the
every mountain, and from
hill,
every
rocks.
all of them
Finally,in Habakkuk
i. 15 it is written : " They take up
with the angle, they catch
in their drag,"
them
in their net, and
gather them
:

shall fish them

etc.

Angling

sports,
"Ed.

and

and

I will

send

after will

hunting

isecessity
as well

as

I send

are
primitive of field
unquestionably the most
pleasure led to tlic pursuitof bird, beast, and fish.

so

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

they say that God enjoys himself only,by

of his own
ix contemplation
infiniteness,
eternity,
power, and
goodness,and the like. And upon this ground, many cloisof great learningand devotion,prefercontemplateral men
tion
Vie

And

are.

of the fathers seem

many
appear in their commentaries

before action.
this

opinion,as

And

may

to approve

upon

the

Martha, Luke x. 41, 42.

And
not men
of equalauthority
the contrary,there want
on
that preferaction to be the more
excellent ;
and credit,

words

of

Saviour

our

to

and
namely, experimentsin physic,

as

the

of it
application
of man's life; by which
for the ease
and prolongation
is enabled to act and do good to others,either to
man
his country, or do good to particular
And
persons.

both
^ach
serve

and
say also that action is doctrinal,
virtue,and is a maintainor of human

_they
and

these,and

other

like reasons,

be

to

teaches both

society;

art

and

preferredbefore

for
templation.
con-

I shall forbear to add a

Concerning which two opinions,
in
own
third,by declaring
; and rest myself contented
my
tellingyou, my very worthy friend,that both these meet
and do not properlybelong to the most
honest,
together,
of
harmless
and
art
ingenious,
angling.
quiet,
I shall tell
iirst,

And

you

a
truth,that the very sitting
by the
the
templation,
only
quietestand fittestplacefor con-

f I have found
river's side is not

but will invite

intended

an

the learned

anglerto

it : and

this

to

seems

Du

Peter

who in his
Moulin,'^
of prophecies,
observes,that when
fulfilling
reveal any future events or high notions to

by

discourse of the
God

observed,and

have

some

real

it to be

be maintained

what

to

his

he
prophets,

the

that havingso separated

them
sea-shore,

then

carried them

either to

the

from

deserts
amidst

or

the

of the world, he
and the cares
press of peopleand business,
might settle their minds in a quietrepose, and there ma.ke
fit for revelation.

them

this

And
Israel

who havingin
cxxxvii.),t
(Psal.
and

iill mirth

hung
*

mute

their

remembered

by

the

Children

sad conditionbanished

pensivehearts,and

harpsupon

of

the willow-trees

author

of several

having
grow-

piecesin

the

H.

controversy.

By

thereof."

from

ancient prebendary of Canterbury, and

An

"

music

up their then

llomish
t

also to be intimated

seems

"

we
Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we
wept, when
the
in
the
willows
midst
hanged
our
harps upon
(Psalm cxxxvii. 1,2.)

the

rivers

Zion.

of

We

THE

ing by the
bemoaning

down

Babylon, sat

rivers of

Sion, and

of

the ruins

31

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

tliese banks

upon

contemplatingtheir

own

sad condition.
And

that

ingeniousSpaniard says,

an

watery element

of the

inhabitants

"rivers

made

were

and

for wise

the
men

contemplateand fools to pass by without consideration."

of the first,
And
though I will not rank myselfin the number
to
yet give me leave to free myselffrom the last,by offering
first of rivers and then of fish ;
you a short contemplation,
tions
concerningwhich I doubt not but to give you many observato

that will appear

appeared so
more

to

and

me,

considerable

very

made

as
quietlyon a
pleasantly,
I shall
what
and
river,
contemplated
And
first,
concerningrivers : there be

I have

sat

calm

of

written

reportedand
that be bred

them,

live in them

and

good credit,that

need

we

and

pass away
flowerybank by a
relate to you.
wonders
many

now
so

those

an

'

creatures

authors

by

deny them

to

theyhave

to

of the several

; and

not

sure

hour

an

many

am

of

so

historical

faith.

namely

As

being

turns

rod

any

drank
wand

or

like in

England,and

is also

river

thereof have
one

of

madness,some

cause

The

death.

laughterto

some

\
Epirus,that puts out any lighted
torch that was
not
lighted.Some )

river in

kindles

torch,and
waters

of

well

music
to

several times
it is called

Kirby
every

breaks

in

boast,as
divers

they feed
for I would

again

of

the

There-

it

and

And

Camden

he tells us

after it has
or
so

makes
far

of

itself

Spaniardsdo of
flocks of sheepupon

tells us

ebbs

and

of

flows

Surrey,
miles,being
under ground,

river in

several

run

off,that

the

sandy,and so continues
presentlyreturns to its

Westmoreland, that

day

Mole, that
out

then

clearness.

and

finds
opposed by hills,
and

mentions

merry river,
at the noise of music, for with

but

ceases,

calmness

near

few hours

in Ireland.

tells us
Aristotle,

Elusina,that dances
music it bubbles,dances,and grows

wonted

in Arabia, of which all the sheej)

that drink
their wool turned into a vermilion colour. And

the river
till the

in

Camden

our

the like in Lochmere

less credit than

no

river Selarus

stone; and

to

drunkenness,and j

way

the inhabitants

about
there-

their river Anus, that

a bridge. And
lastly,

of no less authority
tire your patience,
one
that learned Jew, tells us of a river in Judea
than Josephus,
that runs
swiftlyall the six days of the week, and stands

stilland

not

rests all their sabbath.

32
But

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

I will

lay aside my discourse of rivers,and tell you

of the monsters, or fish,
call them what you will,
some
tilings
that they breed and feed in them.
Pliny,the philosopher,
says, in the third chapterof his ninth book, that in the Indian
is so long and broad
.Sea,the fish called halcena or whirlpool,
to take up

as

ground ;

in

lengthand

breadth

of other fish of two

hundred

more

and

that,in the river

He

Ganges,there

says there,that these

two

of

acres

long; and
thirtyfeet long.
in the sea
only
of water falling

cubits

eels of

monsters

appear
torrents
the
oppose
the rocks into it,and so turningwhat layat the bottom

when

temjDestuouswinds

from
to be

of

be

than

seen

the water's

on

Cadara,an

houses

island

near

he says, that the people

this place,
make the timber for their

top. And

of those fish-bones.

sometimes

there tells us, that there are

of these great eels found wrapt or

thousand

He

interwoven

together. He tells us there,that it appears that

love music,and will come
when called for,by some
dolphins
to feed them; and that they
men
or boys that know, and
use
swim
be shot out of a bow; and
can
as swift as an
arrow
can
of this is spokenconcerning
much
the dolphin,
and other fish,
as

be

may

of

found

also in the learned

and Incredulity,"
Credulity
printedby

the year 1670.'"'

I know, we
islanders
wonders
seen,

; but

the

will not
the

son;

the

to

averse

course
Dis-

about

belief of these

strange creatures to be now

many
John Tradescant,t
and others added

stronglytlie credulityof AValton, than

the ridiculous

made

in this paragrapli and that ^vhich precedes it,touching

of rivers and the alleged Animalia
they produce. The modern

character

t There

are

him

"

so

by

more
testify

statements

reader

there be

collected

many

Xotliingcan

Dr. Casaubon's

place the slighest

"

historical faith" in them.

it seems, three
of the Tradescants
is the person
here meant;
the two

son

"

Ed.

grandfather, father,and
former
were
gardeners to
Charles I.
all great
They were

were,

"

Elizabeth, and the latter to King

and
other curiosities,and dwelt at South
botanists, and collectors of natural
in Surrey; and, dying there, were
Lambeth
buried in Lambeth
churchyard.

Queen

Ashmole

acquaintance with the last of them, and together

for a summer,
during which Ashmole
agreed
for the purchase of Tradescant's
was
collection,and the same
conveyed to him
Tradescant
after died,
and
his wife.
soon
by a deed of giftfrom Tradescant
and Ashmole
was
obliged to file a bill in the Court of Chancery for the delivery
Mrs. Tradescant, shortlyafter the
and succeeded
in his suit.
of the curiosities,
found
the
drowned
in
her pond.
This collection,Avith
was
decree,
pronouncing
My.

with

contracted

his wife boarded

what

additions

Oxford, and

so

for all the three

be

seen

an

at his house

he afterwards
became

Tradescants,

in Lambeth

made

the founder
very

churchyard.

to

it,Mr. Ashmole

of the

curiously ornamented
The

natural curiosities in this kingdom, and

the second.

"

H.

gave to the Universityof

Museum.
A monument

Ashmolean

Tradescants
Ashmole

were

and

with

sculptures,is

to

the first collectors of

Sloane
Sir ILans
were

33

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

by my friend Elias Aslirnole,Esq.,who

carefullyand methodicallyat his house
London,

near

wonders

as

get

may

belief of

some

keeps them

now

Lambeth

near

to

some

of the other

I will tell you some

of the wonders
unless you
see, and .not till then believe,

mentioned.

that you may

think fit.

now

the dog-fish,
the dolphin,the
may see the hog-fish,
the parrot-fish,
the shark,the poison-fish,
sword-fish,
coney-fish,
You

and

not

only other

incredible

salamander, several

Paradise,such

and

so

of

forms, and

various
and

other wonders

note, that the

birds'-nests,
as

amusement

spake of

waters

are

conclusion

sweet

Herbert

such

the

geese, the

wonderfullymade,

so

the

less incredible ; for you may

in which she
nature's store-house,

locks up her wonders.

But, sir,lest this discourse
it

Solan

see

may
in any beholder : and so many
of other rarities in that collection,
will make
the
as

beget wonder
hundred

snakes, and

of

sorts

there

may

and
barnacles,

of

sorts

bird of

fish,but you

his divine

Lord, who
None

And

hath

can

holy poet

Contemplation

on

God's

express

thy

works

but

so

Mr.

give
George

Providence."

who hath any ?

he that knows
them

know

can

shall

praiseenough ; nay,

thy works, they are

complete,but only he that owes

none

And

"

of that

out

I
tedious,

seem

may

so

many,

them.

We

all acknowledgeboth thy power and love

To be exact, transcendent,
and divine ;
dost so strongly
and so sweetlymove.
Who
Whilst

all

Wherefore,most
For

And

as

sacred

end, yet

none

but thine.

I here present,
Spirit,

and

all my fellows,
praiseto thee ;
me,
it
is
that
I
should
just
pay the rent,

Because

And

their

thingshave

the benefit

accrues

in
fish,
concerning

to me.

that

wherein,
psalm(Psalmciv.),
wonders, the prophetDavid seems

heightof poetry and

to exceed himself;how
doth he there express himself in
even
choice metaphors,even
of a contemplative
to the amazement
reader,concerningthe sea, the rivers,and the fish therein
contained !
And
the great naturalist,
Pliny, says, that
for

"

nature's great and wonderful

the

sea

numerous

than
and

on

the

land."

power
And

various creatures

is

demonstrated

more

this

appear
inhabiting both in and
may

in

by

the

about

34

THE

that element

the

to

as

COMPLETE

ANGLER.

readers

of

Gesner,* Kondeletius,+

and others,
Aristotle,
Pliny,Au.soniiiSjJ
may
this discourse also out of

I will sweeten

But

in the sea, and

d
quicken'

in the

contemplation

(inthe fifth day)who

Bartas,"

in divine Du
God

be demonstrated.

says

"

rivers,

fishes of so many
So many
features,
That in the waters we may see all creatures,
Even all that on the earth are to be found.
in deep waters
drown' d.
As if tiieworld were
have sun, moon, stars ;
For seas
as well as skies
As well as air swallows,rooks,and stares ;
"

"

"

earth

vines,roses, nettles,melons.
and many
millions
Mushrooms, pinks,gilliflov/era,
Of other plants,more
rare, more
strangethan these,
in the seas ;
As very fishes,
living
As also rams, calves,horses,hares,and hogs,
and dogs ;
Wolves, urchins,lions,
elephants,
As well

as

and

Yea, men

"

maids

and, which

I most

admire,

mitred bishop and

the cov/led friar ;

Of which,examples,but a few years since,

The

Were

These
doubt

shown

the

to be

seem

from

men

them

more
fishes,

Polonian Prince,

wonders,but

of
nor

and

Norway

have

had

so

many

learningand credit,that

3^ou

the

are

strange or

number,

more

the various

nor

fit for

ations
confirmneed

not

shapesof

than
contemplation,

their

and actions ; concerning

which
difierent natures, inclinations,
I shall beg your patientear a littlelonger.
cuttle-fish will cast

The

which, like

anglerdoth

an

as

her

pullethin again at

long gut out of her throat,

his line,
she sendeth forth and
she

pleasure,
accordingas

sees

some

her ; and the cuttle-fish,

being then
lets the smaller fish nibble and bite the end
hid in the gravel,
littlefish

to

near

come

bom
at Zurich,
eminent
physician and naturalist, was
such
as
procured him
botany and natural
liistorywas
the appellationof the Pliny of Germany ; and Beza, wlio knew
him, scruples
Conrad

Gesner,

assert, that he concentred

not

to

He

died

in

Kondelet,
He

guedoc,in 1507.
all that

where
a

" Guillaume
Works,"
work

Walton

Ausonius,

preceptor

Walton's

are

learning

the

to the

from

He

Joshua

the

of

of

Fliny

and

Varro.

Montpelier,in

He

de Bartas,

French,

was

died
was

poem

He

Piscibus
died

Lan-

Marinis,

very

poor,

in ISfiG.

figsto excess,

Gratian.
in

at

treatise De

liim is to be found.

of Bordeaux,

Emperor
wrote,

whence

extracted.

English by

native

books, and

from

by eating

Saluste, Sieur

de

time.

several

lias taken

physician,born

eminent

an

wrote

surfeit occasioned

% Decius
and

in himself

1565.

t Guillaume

of

an

IJis skill in

in 1516.

Latin

poet, consul

about

390.

poet

of

Home,

of great reputation in
"Divine
Weeks
and

called

in the text and

others cited in this
passage
many
his other delightfulworks, was
translated
into

This, with

Sylvester.
"

H.

THE

of

it^at which

fish

so

time she
devours

and

catches

her,that she

to

near

called this fish the

there is

And

her

fish's shell,
and

she makes

would

and

it defend

is also

at

her

from

certain age
there

hermit

weather,and

fish called,
by

like

the

dwells

turns

so

have

some

her

shell,

that
injuries

they

her.

bringupon

There

reason

sea-angler.
that
a hermit,

a
gets
alone,studyingthe wind

that

for this

the smaller

her, and then

leapupon

may

and

littledraws

fish called

dead

into

littleand

bj

35

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

^lian, in

his ninth book

of the
Living Creatures,chap.16,the Adonis, or darling
called because it is a lovingand innocent fish,
fish
so
a

nothing that

hurts

inhabitants

numerous

I think most

of that vast

anglers

so

watery

disposedto

also lustful and

are

sea;

that

peace with all the

element : and truly
of mankind.

most

chaste

of which
fishes,

giveyou examples.
Bartas

first Du

And

because
you

is at

and
life,

are

there

And
shall

hath

of

can

none

in his

credit for

says of a fish called the "argus ; which

express it better than he does,I shall give

words

own

being in

observations

verse

supposingit
; for he hath

of authors

out

shall not

that have

searchers into the secrets

have

the less

gatheredthis and
been

other

trious
great and indus-

of nature.

adulterous sargus doth not onlychange

every day, in the deep streams, but,strange,
As if the honey of sea-love delight
Could not suffice his ragingappetite,
The

Wives

Goes

courtingshe -goatson

Homing
the

And
which

author writes

same

But, contrary,the
Is
In

constant

ever

constant

loves any

words

own

but his

littlelonger,
and

own

canthar

us

that

!
"

cantharus

to his faithful spouse

nuptialduties spendinghis

Never
a

the
concerning

shall also hear in his

you

Sir,but

the grassy shore,

that had horns before.

their husbands

chaste life;

dear \nfe.

I have

done.

for your discourse

Sir,take what liberty
you think fit,
attention.
to be music, and charms
to an
seems
me
rather
Pisc. Why then,sir,I will take a libertyto tell,
or
that
to remember
they
you what is said of turtle-doves : first,
that
then
and
their
the
troth,and marry;
silently
plight

Yen.

survivor

scorns,

outlive his

or

as

the

Thracian

her mate, and

women

this is taken

c2

said to

are

for

do,to

truth; and

if

86

THE

the survivor shall

the

livingbut
the

And

it either the he

dead,be
of

to condemn

violate the

law

affirmed

St.

by

and which
liearts,

condemn

leave them

Du

what

fulness v/ill be music

to

Paul, Kom.
he

and
religion,

fowl ;
ii. 14,

that

men

15, to be

says shall at the last

day

without

to all chaste

Du

what

Bartas

ears, and

singsof

mad

with

to shore she

woe

Prest to consort him

both

therefore

I pray

the mullet.

But for chaste love the Mullet hath

her
For if the fisher hath surprised
As

moral

to
excuse
; I pray hearken
for
the
of
such
sings,
conjugalfliithhearing

Bartas

hearken

teach mankind

faith of fish and

writ in their
and

she,is denied

those that talk of

short of the moral

come

the

or

only the

not

turtle-dove.

true

this land-rarity,
and
parallel

to

faithfulness, and

yet

couplewith another,then

ever

and honour

name

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

no

peer ;

pheer,

followeth,
death.*

in life and

contrary,what shall I say of the house-cock,which

treads any hen, and then,contrary to the swan, the partridge,
and pigeon,takes no care
to hatch, to feed or
to cherish his
own
brood, but is senseless,
though they ])erish.
it is considerable that the hen, which, because she also
And
takes any cock, expects it not, who
is sure
the chickens be
the

On

her own, hath by

brood
to her own
that

had

done

an

doubled, even

Job

their spawn
on
flagsor
and exposedto become

example

for

stones,and
a

and

prey

affection

such

to

height

Jerusalem,Matt,

of tender

pattern of

cock, there

and

care

expressinghis love to

this
to parallel

other fishes;but

impressionher

than

more

37, quotes her for

his Father
And

moral

Saviour,in

our

xxiii.

affection ;

patience.

be divers fishes that

then

as

cast

leave it uncovered

be devoured

by vermin, or

the

other

as
fishes,
barbel,take such
namely
of
that
unlike to the cock
care
preservation their seed,
both
the spawner
the cuckoo, they mutually labour,
and
ov
the spawn with sand or watch it,tor hide
the melter,to cover

for the

AH
"

that
Tlie

Walton

deserves, however, the

to be music, and
seems
t No
ova

are

about
to

compliment
charms

me

the habits of fish,from

the

paragraph beginning,

in fact.
point, lias no foundation
It
Your
paid to it by Venator
discourse

this

"

"

to

an

attention."

"

Ed.

after deposition. When

v,'atchcs its spawn
ova
or
the
depositedby the female, and impregnated by the male fish,and covered
by the parents,
superstructure of any substance, they are abandoned
river-fish

ever

in by a
and left to be vivified
"Ed.

writes

cuttle-fish," down

by the chemical

action

of

water, sun, and

atmosphere.

COMPLETE

THE

it in

place,
unfrequentedby

secret

some

37

ANGLER.

vermin

or

fisli

any

but themselves.

Sir,these examples may

but they are testified,
some

to

and

you

others

by Aristotle,some

strange,

seem

by Pliny,some

by Gesner,and by many others of credit ; and are believed

and known
to be a
by divers both of wisdom and experience,
truth ; and indeed are, as I said at the beginning,fit for the
And
contemplationof a most serious and a most pious n^an.
doubtless
this made
the prophet David
They that
say,
works of
occupy themselves in deep waters see the wonderful

'

''

God

:" indeed

such wonders

and

the

too, as
pleasures

land

affords not.
And

that

they be fit for the contemplationof the most

to be testified
piousand peaceablemen, seems

prudent and
of so many
devout
by the practice
the patriarchs
and prophetsof old
Saviour

in

to

them

contemplativemen,

of
; and of the apostles
latter times,of which twelve,we
sure
are

our

chose four that

sent

and

simplefishermen,whom

were

publishhis

also with

powerful eloquenceto beget faith

in the

and

Saviour

and

to suffer for that

to

way

had

they

preach freedom

our

he

and
inspired

blessed will to the Gentiles ; and

and
power to speak all languages,

themselves

he

as

from

whom

their

fathers
fore-

crucified ; and, in their sufferings,

to
the encumbrances
of the law, and a new

life :
everlasting

happy fishermen.

inspired
by their
unbelievingJews ;

this

the

was

which
Concerning

employment

choice

of these

have

some

made

these observations.

First,That
or

as
calling

secondly,he

he

found

sweet, and

these

men

our

reprovedthese

never

did scribes and

fitted for

were

and

he

that

the

the hearts

contemplationand

for their

money-changers. And
of such men
by nature
of mild,
quietness
; men

indeed
as
peaceablespirits,
blessed

employment

Saviour,who

most

anglersare

is observed

to

love

to

plantgrace in good natures, though indeed nothing be too

hard for him; yet these men
he chose to call from their irreand gave them
provableemployment of fishing,
grace to be
his

and
disciples,

to follow him

and

do wonders.

I say four

of twelve.
And

these

it is
our

that
observable,

four fishermen

was

our

John, and then the

Saviour's will,that

of
priority
Matt. x. 2.
apostles.

should have

of his twelve
catalogue
St. Peter, St. Andrew,
namely, first,

in the
as

it

rest in their order.

St.

nomination
i. 1 3 ;
and St.

Acts

James,

SB

THE

And

it is

Saviour

yet

ANGLER.

observable, that when

more

into the mount, when

chose odIj three to bear

went

those three

were

blessed

our

he left the rest of his

up

and
disciples
that
transfiguration,
is to be

COMPLETE

him

company
all fishermen.

at

his

And

it

after they betook

believed,that all the other apostles,

themselves

to follow

Christ,betook

themselves

be

to

men
fisher-

that the greaternumber

of them
; for it is certain,
found togetherfisliing
Jesus
after his Eesurrection,
by

too
were

it is recorded

as

3 and

since I have

will take the

made

that God
hath

chapterof

St. John's

by

been

appointedto

pleasedto

write

had inclined
practice
example,who before
and

was

Old

I
patience,

God

metaphorsas
them

it may

observes,

their former

affections

to; and he bringsSolomon

his conversion

after, by God's

and

that hath

he himself
those,whom
his holywill in holy writ,yet,to express
for

or
an

remarkably carnally
that
appointment, wrote
was

the Canticles,
love-song,

his church

; in whicli he
had eyes like the fish-pools
of Heshbon.
And
if this hold in reason, as I see none

you

with

me

allow

or
spiritual
dialogue,
holy amorous

betwixt

hear

upon an observation
ingeniousand learned man, who

an

hath

amorous

promise to

your

to look back
liberty

his will in such

then

ver.
Gospel,

4.

And
been

in the 21st

says, his beloved

to the

contrary,

be

probably concluded,that Moses, who I told

before writ the book of Job, and the prophet Amos, who
both anglers; for you shall,in all the
were
a shepherd,
Testament

find

meek

namely,by
prophet Amos.

I think,but twice mentioned

fish-hooks,
Moses, the friend of God, and by the humble

Concerningwhich last,namely, the prophet

Amos, I shall make but this observation ; that he that shall

read the humble, lowly,plainstyleof that prophet,and compare
it with

the

high,glorious,
eloquentstyleof the prophet
Isaiah (though
they both be equallytrue),
easilybelieve
may
Amos
to be, not
but a good-natured,
only a shepherd,
pl'din
Whicli
fisherman.
I do the rather believe,by comparing
the affectionate,
of St. Peter,
liumble, epistles
loving,
lowl}^,
St, James, and St. John, whom
all fishers,
know
we
were
with the glorious
languageand high metaphors of St. Paul,
whom
And

we

believe was
may
for the lawfulness

maintained

by

into the water

Csesar.

not.

of

: it
fishing

our

may
Saviour's biddingSt. Peter

and

catch

fish,for money

to

very
cast

pay

well

be

his hook

tribute to

And

let

much

me

Ferdinand

that

He

a-fishing.
priests
anglingwas not
and
Anthony and Cleopatra,
wonderful
glory,used angling

Pliitarch shall find that

he that reads

And

in the days of Mark

";ontemptible
that they,in the midst of their
And
recreation. t
as
a principal
Scripture
anglingis always taken

traveller

noted

so

Pinto," is

Mendez

"

t I must

here

insult.

prostituteendeavoured
following:

that

in the best sense, and

author,

my

it

make

to

tell you, that in the

me

of travels

nan-ator

to call any

Ed.

"

days of Mark

in the

let

mendacity, that

for his

an

far differ from

so

contemptible

not

and

esteem

several

king and

high

of
reads the voyages
Pinto,"'^^shall find that there he declares

Mendez

found

to have

of

anglingis

tell you that

in other nations.

use

39

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

angling

was

Cleopatra, that illustrious

and

related

fact

The

so.

if

say, that

to

as

Antony

is the

Plutarch

by

"

"

It would
must

not

and

be very tedious
be forgot. He

tnflingto
out

went

recount

day

one

to

ing
all his follies ; but his fishwith
Cleopatra
; and
angle

presence of his mistress, he was

to dive under
fishermen
orders
the
water,
and
secret
to
vexed,
very
gave
After he had drawn
his hook.
and put fishes that had been fresh taken upon
or
three, Cleopatra perceived the trick ; she pretended,however, to be
up two
and
dexterity, told it to all her friends, and
surprised at his good fortune

being

unfortunate

so

to catch

as

in the

nothing

much

them

invited

to

large company
down

and

come

out

went

him

see

his line, she commanded

and, diving into

those

which

The

brought

were

story here

persons

of the

told

of her

one

the

fish the

and

servants

as

to

from

liad exhausted

Antony

beforehand

be

all the

salted

Behold

of serious reflection.

affords matter

highestrank, who

as

soon

hook

fix upon
his
Sea."
the Euxine
to

water,

Accordingly, a

day.

next

fishingvessels

in the

had

very
let

with

tony's,
An-

fish,one

of

here

two

of sensual

sources

light
de-

tasteless
appetites palled, and
gratificationrendered
every
sort ; and of tyrants and
stooping to partake of the recreations of the meaner
of sillyfish and
the deceivers
persecutors of their fellow-creatures, to become
their

"

of each

"

Doubtless

otlier.

we

suppose,

may

that

long

before

tragicalend

the

wicked
of a profligateand
life,they were
grown
they severallymade
that
and
to exclaim
tired and sick of the world, and had frequent occasion
with greater reason
than their predecessor in worldly glory that all the pomp
and
and splendour of dominion, all the power
authority resulting from regal
projects,pursuits, and
enterprises,all merely human
grandeur, all ambitious
pleasures, without a tranquil and composed mind, such as God vouchsafes only
of spirit. 11.
to the meek
and humble, are
vanity and vexation
which

"

"

"

[Shakspeare,
of

no

doubt, read the above

and

find the

passage

from

Plutarch

followingverses

for in his

play

Anthony
Cleopatra
Cleopatra. Give me mine angle. We'll to the river ; there,
My music playing far off,I will betray
Tawny-finned fishes ; ray bended hook shall pierce
we

"

"

"

Their

slimy jaws

I'll think

them

And

'

Cluirmian
You
Did
With

say,

Ah,

and

as

I draw

them

up,

an
Antony,
every one
ha ! you're caught.'

'Twas

"

wager'd on your
hang a salt-fish

fervency drew

angling
on

his hook,

up."

merry,

when

your diver
which he

when

Act

II.,Scene 5.]

40

THE

though hunting may

seldom

to be

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

be

sometimes

understood.

so

taken, yet it is but

so

let

And

add this more, he

shall find hunting

me

that views the ancient ecclesiastical canons,

to be forbidden to churchmen, as beinga turbulent,toilsome,
shall find

perplexingrecreation

; and

clergymen,as being a

harmless

invites them

recreation

"

to

Whittaker
been.

But

that lived
been

to

near

that

learned

Doctor

our

have
great learning
memorable

Parliament
him

to

one

be the

that

in

the

as

of

Dean

of the Cathedral

his monument
reformation

stands
of

should

stand

as

the then

and
both,chose,enjoined,
a
a

catechism

for

Queen
for his

noted

was

to make

man

have

angling.

London, where

and Convocation

men,,

to

so
Henry YIII.,
a
nd
that
spirit,
deep learning,
prudence, piety,

meek

mendations
com-

and how

I also take

Nowel, sometime

man

what

angling:

two

time, whom

to the art of

of St. Paul's in

yet undefaced
Elizabeth,not

myself with

own

our

is Doctor
first,

Church

on

others of

many

I will content

ornaments

The

indeed

as

was,

bestows

of it
great a practiser

lover,and

Perkins

learned

our

dear

to

recreation that

and quietness.
contemplation
might here enlargemyself by tellingyou

angling allowed

trusted

publicuse,

rule for faith and

such
to

manners

their

posterity.And the good old man, though he was very

learned,yet knowing that God leads us not to Heaven
by
that
hard
like
honest
m
ade
nor
by
angler,
questions, an
many
which
with our
is
unperplexedcatechism,
good,plain,
printed
I say, this good old man
was
a dear
good old service-book.*
lover and constant practiser
of angling,
as any age can
produce:
and

his custom

was

to

spend,besides

his fixed hours

of prayer

of the church,were
(thosehours which,by command
enjoined
the clergy,
and voluntarily
dedicated to devotion by many
primitiveChristians)
; I say, beside those hours, this good
observed to spend a tenth part of his time in angling
was
man
;

also,for I have conversed with those which have conversed

and usually
with him, to bestow a tenth part of his revenue,
all his fish,
amongst the poor that inhabited near to those
it was
rivers in which
caught; sayingoften," that charity
:" and, at his return to his house,would
gave life to religion
praiseGod he had spent that day free from worldlytrouble ;.
and

The

Catechism

bound

up

with

the

He drew
compiled by Dr. Nowel.
up
which
a
Catechism,
Eliz.),
larger
(temp.
not by Tarliament, in 1562.

Book
at
was

the

of

Common

Prayer, is

not

that

request of Mr. SecretaryCecil

sanctioned
by Convocation, and.

THE

COMPLETE

both

and
harmlessly,

in recreation

And

this

was

good
should
posterity
to
now
picture,

College
;
him, and

know
be

he

he

was

hand

one

lyingin

of him

round

churchman.

desirous,that

not

angler;as may appear by his

carefully
kept,in Brazen-nose

an

and

was

that became

content, if

liberal benefactor.

drawn, leaning
on

was

on

well

seen,

which

to

picturehe

man

41

ANGLER.

In

which

desk,with his Bible before

his lines,hooks, and other tackling
a

; and on his other hand are his angleand by them this is written,^^ That he

rods of several sorts:

died 13 Feb.

1601, being aged

memory,
useless."

made

years, 44 of which he had

been Dean of St. Paul's Church
; and that his age had neither
dimmed
his eyes, nor
weakened
his
nor
impairedhis hearing,
any

of the faculties of his mind

weak

or

'Tis said,that anglingand temperance^'

were
great
of these blessings,
and I wish the like to all that

causes

imitate

My

him, and love the memory

man

whose
whose

last

and

next

money,
a

nor

95

of

good

so

man.

example,shall be that under-valuer

the late

of

Sir Henry Wottont

provost of Eton College,
with whom
I have often fished and conversed,a man
employments in the service of this nation,and
foreign
made
his
wit, and cheerfulness,
experience,
learning,
"

to be esteemed
of the delights
of mankind
one
: this
company
whose
sufficient to
man,
very approbationof angling were
convince any modest censurer
of it,this man
also a most
was

dear

lover,and

which
which

of
frequentpractiser

he would

of*

angling;

'Twas

an
employment for his idle time,
say,
then not idlyspent :" for angling
was, "after tedious

was

study,a

the art of

"

rest to his

mind, a cheerer

of his

a diverter of
spirits,
of passions,
sadness,a
a moderator
unquietthoughts,
of
contented
:" and
that it begat habits of
a procurer
ness
it."
and practised
peace and patiencein those that professed
will
find angling
to be like the virtue
Indeed, my friend,
you
of humility,
which has a calmness
of spirit,
and a world of

calmer

of

'^

It would

teetotaller

appear, that though reputed

"
for Sir J. Hawkins
that
says,

temperate, he
Fuller, in his

by no means
Worthies,' Lanca-

was
'

sliire,
p. 115, has thought it worth
recording of this pious and learned divine,
and that in language so very quaint as to be but just intelligible,
that he was
accustomed
of ale in
to fish in the Thames
bottle
Iiavingone day left his
; and
but a
the grass, on the bank
bottle,
of the river,he found it some
no
after,
days
of
the
such
sound
what
at
the
with
degree
thereof
And
hence,
gun,
opening

sagacity,let the
England."

reader

determine,he

seems

to derive

the

originalof

bottled

ale

in

by Walton, in First Part of Universal Library," section

Biography," published by Messrs. Ingram, Cooke, and Co., 227, Strand, 1853.
t See

"'

his

Life

"

42

THE

other

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

blessings
attendingupon

of that learned
And

I do

it.

Sir,this

the

was

saying

man.

and a
peace and patience,
calra content, did cohabit in the cheerful heart of Sir Henry
Wotton
that when
he was
beyond seventy
; because I know

easilybelieve,that

years of age, he made

this

of a part of
description

that
pleasure

him,
possessed

evening,on

bank

which

because

it

he

as

sat

It is a
a-fishing.
soft and

glidedas

that river does at

this

shall

you

repeat it unto

This day dame

The lustysap

quietlyin

present

summer's

of the
description

spring;

his pen, as
then made, I

sweetlyfrom

which

time,by

the

it

was

"

Nature

seem'd in love ;

began to

move

Fresh juicedid stir th' embracingvines ;

And
birds had drawn
their valentines.
that
low did lie,
The jealoustrout,
Hose at a well-dissembled fly;
There stood my friend,with patientskill,

Attendingof

his

tremblingquill;

the eaves
possessed
the swift pilgrim's
daubed
nest ;

Already were

With
The groves alreadydid rejoice
In Philomel's triumphingvoice,
The

showers

The

morning fresh,the

weather mild,
evening smiled.

short,the

were

Joan takes her neat-rubbed

She tripsto milk the sand-red

Where,

for

some

pail,and
cow

now

sturdy foot-ball swain,

syllabubor twain.
gardens were beset

Joan strokes a
The fieldsand
With tulip,
crocus, violet ;
And now, though late,the modest rose
Did more
than half a blush disclose.

Thus all looks gay and full of cheer.

To welcome the new-liveried year.

These

the

were

iiurbed mind
of another
which

he

of

thoughtsthat
Sir Henry Wotton.

angler,and
also singsin
Let

me

or

the
possessed

undis-

Will you hear the wish

of his happy life,
the commendation

verse

;
"

viz.,Jo. Davors, Esq.:

"

live harmlessly
; and

Of Trent

then

Avon

have

near

the brink

dwelling-place,

Where I may see my quillor cork down sink

With eager bite of perch,or bleak,or dace ;
And on the world and my Creator think :
strive ill-gotten
Whilst some
men
goodst' embrace,.
And
Of

others

wine,or

spend their
worse,

in

time

war

and

in base

excess

wantonness.

And

still pursue,
these pastiiues
list,
fancies feed their fill;
pleasing?

that

Let them

such

on

meadows

So I the fields and

the daisies and

Among

view,
will,
blue,

may

green

dailyby fresh rivers walk

And

43

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

TPIE

at

the violets

hyacinth and yellow daiFodil,

narcissus like the morning rays,
and azure
Pale gander-grass,
culverkeys.
Red

Purple

I c(mnt

it

higherpleasureto

behold

statelycompass of the loftysky ;

in the midst thereof,like burning gold,

The

And

flaming chariot of the world's great e3'e ;

watery clouds that, in the air up-roU'd,
With
sundry kinds of paintedcolours fly;
And
fair Aurora, lifting
up her head.
The

The

Still blushing,
rise from old Tithonus' bed.
hills and

The

raised from the

mountains

plains,

level with the ground ;

The plainsextended
The grounds divided into sundry veins.
The veins enclosd with rivers running round

These rivers making way through nature's chains

into the sea profound;
Vfith headlongcourse
The

beneath

ragingsea,

AVhere lakes and

The

loftywoods, the
with

Adorn'd
In whose
Do

The

rivulets do flow.

forests wide and

the

long,

branches fresh and

leaves and

cool bowers

birds,with

many

Avith their choir the summer's

welcome
meadows

Are

the valleyslow,

rills and

Flora's

fair,where

with
intermix'd,

green.
song,
queen

giftsamong

verdant grass between

The silver-scaled fish that softlyswim

Within the SM-eet brook's crystal
watery stream.
All

these,and

That

Taking

made

of His creation
more
many
the heavens, the angler oft doth

therein

To think

Framing

how

thereof

see

little delectation,

no

wonderful they be
contemplation

strange, how
an

inward

To set his heart from other fancies free ;

whilst he looks on these with joj^ful
eye,
His mind is wrapt above the starry sky.

And

lias not lost these last verses,

glad my memory
suitable
because tliey
somewhat
are
more
pleasantand more
I am
And
glad your
to May- day than my
harsh discourse.
and me
hath held out so long,as to hear them
; for
patience

Sir,I

both

am

have broughtus
together

House.

And

I must

be

your

attention, for the

some

other

your

Thatched

debtor, if you think

it worth

of my

rest

and
opportunity,

sightof the

within

the

promised discourse,till

like time

of leisure.

44

THE

good

angled me

on

; and

House

the Thatched

ANGLEE.

have

Sir,you

Yen.

COMPLETE

with

much

find your words true, "that

short ;" for trust me, sir,

now

had

the way seem

three miles of this
wanted

that

are

makes

company

pleasureto

house, till you

it me.
at it,we'll turn into it,and
But now
shewed
we
are
refresh ourselves with a cup of drink, and a little rest.
Pisc. Most gladly,
sir,and we'll drink a civil cup to all the
I

thoughtwe

otter-hunters
Yen.
which

That

you

to
willing

now

am

to-morrow.

to all the lovers of

will,sir,and

we

number

to meet

be

and

if you will but meet

I have

put

on

the

new

it :
profess
time and place

of all that
at the

to-morrow,

me

myself: for,by

one

helpof your good discourse and company,

and
thoughtsboth of the art of angling,

of
angling,

and
bestow one
day with me and my friends in.
appointed,
huntingthe otter,I will dedicate the next two days to wait
upon you, and we two will for that time do nothingbut angle,

and talk of fisliand

Pisc. 'Tis
at Am

morning before

the first day,passed in peripatetic

chapter,
but is chiefly
occupied
nothingpractical,
praiseof hawking by Auceps,of huntingby Venator, and of angling
tlie first

With

"

ends.
conversation,
Piscator

by

to be
willing,
sun-rising.

match, sir ; I'llnot fail you, God

well-hill to-morrow

[Note.
in the

fishing.

It contains

Old

"
"

Izaak

and makes
dissertations,
too

seems

wild

"

Of

himself.

of Venator

he has the best of the

course

steadypupil. Auceps the falconer,

of
the quiet amusement
to

fellow to settle down

angling. Ed.]
"

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

Ven.

My

friend

for the
thoughts,
to this

come

otter.

Look

OF

Piscator,you

sun

is

at

meadow, checqueredwith
you
see

have

dogs have

the bottom

kept
I

water-lilies and
:

time

with

put down

hill there

in

an

that

lady-smocks;there

look ! look ! you

men

my

myselfjust now

justnow

of the

they make
may see what work
all busy,men
and dogs,dogs and

CHUB.

AND

OTTER

and
justrising,

and the
place,
down

THE

II.

all

busy.

may

COMPLETE

THE

Sir,I

Pisc.
fair

so

Venator, let

more

Ven.

iis

all in

men

reasonable

no

meet

pursuitof the otter. Let us

but join nnto
them.
Come, honest
longer,
be gone, let us make
haste ; I long to be

dogs and
"compliment no
many

doing ;

into

entrance

an

you, and glad to have

this day'ssport,and
glad to see so

right glad to

am

45

ANGLEE.

ditch shall hold

hedge or

Gentleman-huntsman, where

found

me.

this otter ?

you
from

this place,
Marry, sir,we found her a mile
a-fishing.She has this morning eaten the greatestpart of
Hunt.

; she

this trout
was

fishingfor

but

we

It is worth

otter

an

be

all these

Whj'",sir,what

Hunt.

see, and

you

her
an

just at it;

hour

; sure,

she

to have

the

came
am

before

huntsman, let

be

resolved

made

vows

never

been

by
to

in my

the

eat

debated

to differ about

beast

Sir,it is not

it ;

or

upon
ten miles in

ask

the

hands

you

gloves

that

power

pleasant

to resolve you

; I leave

have

who
collegeof Carthusians,

flesh.

But

among

many

yet

most

catch

night,to

can

fish ?

I have

the tion
quesand
clerks,
great
they

agree

body

walk

gloves;

me

be fish too, then I may

land ; for an otter does so,

if her

best fortification for your

againstwet weather.

it to

and

men.

to make
shillings

ten

I pray, honest
question; do you hunt

seem

dogs and

as

found

we

is the skin worth

Pisc.

hath

came

the

are

thoughton

Hunt.

we

of it

much

kill her.

skin, if we

of

; when

more

hardlyescape

Ven.

only left this

here very early,

here
we
were
have givenher no rest since we

were

sunrise,and
will

has

for

heard

that her tail is fish ;

say that a fish will

sometimes, five

or

six

her

to
or
ones,
young
glut herself with fish. And I can tell you that pigeonswill
the otter
flyfortymiles for a breakfast ; but, sir,I am sure

or

devours

much
And

eats.

Latins

him

kills and

and
fish,

call

can

him,

can

Gesner

tell you
smell

than
he
more
spoilsmuch
the
that this dog-fisher,
for so
fish in the water
yards
a hundred

farther ; and that his stones

sickness ; and that there is an
are
good againstthe falling
herb, benione,which beinghung in a linen cloth,near a fish
from

can

Camden

much

to avoid the
him
lie uses, makes
and land ; and
proves he smells both by water
wall,
tell you there is brave hunting this water-dogin Cornlearned
that our
there have been so
where
many,

pond, or any
place; which
I

says

haunt

that

says, there is

river called

Ottersey, which

was

so

46

named, by

abundance

of the

reason

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

tliat bred

of otters

aud

fed in it.*
thus niucli for my
above water
see

And
now

may
him

; I

now

knowledge of the otter,which

you

vent, and the dogs close with

he will not last long,follow therefore my

see

at

masters, follow,for Sweetlipswas

like to

have

him

this

at

last vent.t
Ven.
shall

Oh

me

do

now

we

Hunt.

again I

got

are

the water?

over

stay a littleand follow

so

eager ;
the dogs will be

this side

suddenly on

the otter too,it may

Kilbuck, for he vents again.
; and

you

river,what

the

over

follow them

we

be not

they and

warrant

with

him

at

horse

Shall

No, sir,no,

for both

me,

! all the

be

have

now

Yen.

Marry so he does, for look he vents in that corner.

he's gone again,and has
Now, now
Ptingwoodhas him : now
bit the poor dog. Now
Sweetlipslias her ; hold her. Sweetall the dogs have her, some
under
above and some
lips! now
; but now,

water

she's

now

tired,and past losing: come

Sweetlips. Look, 'tisa bitch

latelywhelped,let's go to the placewhere
her to me,
and

it you will find all her young

all too.
you, and kill them
all,let's go
Come, gentlemen,come

warrant

Hunt.
where

put

we

the

otter.

Look

; look

you,

here it

down

that she kennelled

her young
ones, no less than
Pisc. No, I pray, sir,save

The

reader
is

otter

and

was

I dare

ones,

to

the

place

hereabout

it

was

indeed, for here's

all.
let's kill them
five ; come,
me
one, and I'll try if I can

shire,
her tame, as I know
an
ingeniousgentleman in LeicesterMr. Nicholas Seagrave,
has done ; who hath not only

make

the

you,

has

put down,

was

far from

not

she

otter, and
she

bring

need

fish."

"

hardly be told, that neither the tail nor any other

otter will live upon
be trained
land, and can

The

fish for its master.

catch

of nocturnal

attacks

Fish

is not

its

only

food

part of
to

it has been
; and
It seldom
or
never

hunt

guilty

eats
hen-roosts,rabbit-hutches, "c.
of a fish.
What
is called the
otter's bite,"or honne hoiiclhe,
is that
the whole
the poll or neck
The tail part of a fish
and dorsal fin.
part of the fish between
of
There
animal
is no
is not succulent
enough for the palate of this gourmtt.
than
the otter ; and in its contests
teeth
its size that has stronger jaws and
fails to fracture, by biting through one
of their
two
"with dogs, it seldom
or
on

"

fore-legs. No dog can bite through

The
impenetrable fur) of the otter.
by the head, and

his quarry

"} i.

e.

view.
of

purpose
under
water

The

otter

the

covered
body-skin (so tliickly

otter-hound

by crushing it
when

"vents"

he

comes

shows

that

knows

his

off victorious.

Iiis head

"

above

Ed.
water

respiration {venting, taking in wind") after having been

"

to escape

his pursuers.

"

Kd.

is it with

business, seizes
for the

swimming

THE

lier tame, but to catch

made

of much

and
fish,

do many

other

things

pleasure.
Take

HuiST.
And

4T

ANGLEll.

COMPLETE

with

one

let's go to

all my
honest

heart,but

let

kill the rest.

us

where we may hav

ale-house,
and sing Old Hose," and all of
cup of good barley-wine,
now

an

*'

together.
rejoice

us

Ven.

me

invite

you along
shall bear

this night,
and you
; I'llbear your charges
to-morrow
j for my intention is to accompany

with

us

mine

Pisc.

you

day

hshing.

tv/o in

or

let
Piscator,

friend

Come, my

is

Sir,your request

gladboth

exchangesuch

to

granted,and

courtesy,and

also to

shall be

right

enjoyyoui^

company.

let'sgo to your
Let's be going with all my

Yen.

Well,now

Pisc.

sport of angling.
heart. God

keep you all,

gentlemen,and

send you meet

this day with another bitchtoo.
otter, and kill her merrily,and all her young ones
where will you beginto fish ?
Yen.
Now, Piscator,
We

Pisc.
a

mile further
Well

Yen.

not

are

yet

to

come

I
likely
place,

must

walk

yet before I begin.

then, I pray,

as

walk

we

tell me

how
freely,

do

like your lodging,

and mine host,and the company
? Is
?
not mine host a witty man
Pisc. Sir,I will tell you presently
what
I think of your
I will tell you, I am
host : but first,
glad these otters were
you

killed ; but I am
otter-killers ; for I
sorry there are no more
that the want
of otter-killers,
know
and the not keepingthe
fence-months
for the jDreservation
of fish,will,
in time,prove
the destruction of all rivers.

left,that make

conscience

And

those very
of the laws of the

keepingdays of abstinence,will
suffer

inconveniences

more

Yen.

Why, sir,what

and

May;

out

of the

those

for these be the usual

sea

Walton

is

May

very

spawn

be

are

to

are

nation,and of
eat
flesh,or

yet foreseen.
that

you

call the

fence-

Sir,theybe principally
three,namely, March, April,

Pisc.

than

forced

that

months

and

be

few

in

; a

in most

to spawn

again wrong

in his natural

small

of

September

number

but

the

that salmon
come
fresh rivers."' And their fry
months

history. No

late fish spa^vn

general spawning

in

season

salmon
Marcli.
is from

spawn

in

April

Early salmon
the

middle

of

48

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

would, about a certain time, return back to the salt water, if

not hindered
by weirs and unlawful gins,which
they were
the greedy fishermen set,and so destroythem by thousands ;
as
they would, being so taught by nature, change the fresh
He

for salt water.

of Edward

in the 13th
several

see

and

that shall view

I.,and

made
provisions

the wise

the

like in

againstthe

statutes,made

Eichard

II.,may
of fish ;

destruction

professno knowledge of the law, yet I am

of these defects might be easily
mended.
regulation

though

sure

the

But

I remember

that

of mine

wise friend

is everybody'sbusiness

''that which

did

usuallysay,

nobody'sbusiness."

is

nets
and
otherwise,there could not be so many
fish,that are under the statute size,sold dailyamongst us ;

If it

were

the

should

be

But, above all,the taking fish in spawning-timemay

said to be againstnature
; it is like the takingthe dam on

be

which

of

and

the

of

conservators

waters

ashamed.

she

when

nest

Almighty

that

hatches
God

her

young : a sin
in the Levitical

hath

the

againstnature

so

law

made

law

againstit (Deut.xii. 6, 7).

But

fish have

the poor

enemies

enough

besides

such

natural
un-

fishermen,as namely, the otters that I spake of,the

the heron,
cormorant, the bittern,the osprey, the sea-gull,
the gorara, the puet, the swan,
the king-fisher,
goose, ducks,
call the water-rat
and the craber,which
: against all
some
which

honest

any

might

man

not, I will leave them

others ; for I
but fish.
And

he
truly,
conceits

to the

April
"

and

May,
and

Scotland

middle
and

Ireland

edicts.

are

of

are

I will

killed

cruel nature, I love to kill

December.

"

by

nothing

The

fry,when

well

year old,go to
in Walton's
as

sea

in

are
time,
destroyed now,
for salmon
The fence-months
in
greedy fisliermeu."
October,
December,
November,
September,
January,
as

of the Irish rivers.

regulated by magisterial

They

quarrelledwith, and

doubt

no

exceptionsin some

Wales

me

gins" and

unlawful

with

to

but
just quarrel,

host ; to speak
a
good companion ; for most of his
for
lascivious jests,
or
Scripture-jests,

either

were

November

by

is not

be

concerningyour
question

to your

now

of

not

am

to

make

decrees,

The

fence-months

rather

differ,therefore, in different rivers. In

week
to be caught until the third

than
some

in

England and
parliamentary
by
rivers

in December.

in Wales,

March,
for several of our
river-fish,
April,and May ought to be made fence-mouths
and April, and
are
particularlyfor pike and grayling,which spawn in March
months.
For
the habits, "c.,of
until the tbllowing autumn
not in condition
at the end of chap. vii. Ed.
the salmon, sec my remarks
salmon

are

allowed

"

"whicli I count

no

wittj,for

man

49

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

the

devil will

help

man

to the first; and his own

inclined,
corrupt nature,
panion
always carries with him, to the latter ; but a comwith wit and mirth, and
that feasts the company

that way
which he

is

which

the sin

leaves out

such
; and indeed
borne, and to such company
the

man

for at

and let

company

is

this

them, he is
his

have

hope to bringyou

charges
this night;

I purpose

place,where

to

anglerthat proves good

course
and good disgood company

usuallyan

tell you,

me

should

man

not far from

Trout-hall,

there
lodgeto-night,

with

usuallymixed

the very sinews of virtue : but for such discourse

heard last night,it infects others ; the very
as we
boys will
learn to talk and swear, as they heard mine
other
host,"and anare

I
that shall be nameless ;
of the company
will not
the other is a gentleman; for less religion
"

souls than
last

: I think
beggar's

great day. Well

will be

more

save

sorry
their
the

requiredat

example is

what

know

! you

am

able

to

poet says in the like case,

by all parents and people of

do ; and I know
the
what
which is worthy to be noted

"

:
civility
a

many

one

Owes to his country his religion

;
And in another would as stronglygrow,
mother taughthim
Had but his nurse
or

This is
of

wise

put into

reason

of this

But

man.

verse, and

civility,
yet

I hate

severe

I doubt

but at

yonder tree

not

then we'll turn

to

censures.

honest

an

worthy the
; for

more

no

so.

consideration

though I

I'llto my
I shall catch

own
a

that
hostess,
cleanly

art ; and

chub
I know

trout

this

clear,that I will

evening.
reckoned

sir,there
staid

morning,that
And

not

so

the

is not

likely
placefor

trout

men
take leave of your huntsis got so high,and
shines so
till
the catchingof a trout

sun

be, by you and

yet you shall see

chub

of fish ;

longto

undertake

though a

the worst

and

dinner.

to my

Pisc. Trust me,

hereabout : and we

right

well ; rest ourselves there ; and dress it for our dinner.

Yen.
Oh, sir ! a chub is the worst fish that swims

hoped for

love

others,
many
it a
I'll make

it.
good fish by dressing
Yen.

'

Why,

how

Of the Thatched

will you

House,

at

dress him

Hoddesden,

night.
D

where

*?

Piscator

passed the first

50

THE

Pi

I'lltell you

sc.

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

and

by

by,when I
1 (but you
see

liave

Looic you here,sir,do you

there lie upon the top of the
close),

twenty chubs.

biggestof
Ven.

you

shall

Ay, marry, sir,now

are

say you

stand

must

very
this
in
water,
very hole,
that
shall
be the
and
catch
I'll
only one,
all ; and that I will do so, I'll hold you

to one, and

twenty
^'

them

caught him.

one, when

presently: look,the
bruise iipon his tail by

talk like

you

I shall

do ; but I yet doubt

you can
Pisc. You shall not doubt
it

it done.

see

see

you

and
artist,

an

performwhat

you

say

me

do

it.

long,for you shall

biggestof these chubs has
a

I'll

it

pike,or

some

see

had

some

accident,and

other

to put
a white
spot ; that very chub I mean
in the shade,
into your hands presently
; sit you but down
and staybut a littlewhile,and I'llwarrant
you I'llbringhim

that looks like

to you.

Ven.

I'llsit down, and

hope well,because

you

seem

to be

confident.

so

Pisc.

there he
you, sir,there is a trial of my skill,*
white
is,that very chub that I showed you with the
spot on
and
him
his tail :
I'llbe as certain to make
a
good dish of
lead you to an honest
I'llnow
meat, as I was to catch him.
Look

ale-house where

we

shall find

cleanlyroom,

windows, and twenty ballads stuck about

hostess,
which, I

lavender

in the

the wall ; there my

tell you, is both cleanlyand handsome,

dress
and civil,
hath dressed many a one for me, and shall now
it good meat.
it after my fashion,and I warrant
may

explain the particulars of his trial of

caught by dibbing or daping with a natural
seventh
paragraph of chap, iii.,
beginning, Go to the same
also my remarks
at the end of chap. iii. Ed.
*

Walton

the clmb

does

not

was

"

"

skill.

Evidently,

insect.

See

hole," etc.

the

See

THE

51

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

Yen.

for I begin to be
Come, sir,with all my Iieart,
hungry,and long to be at it,and indeed to rest myselftoo ;
for though I have walked but four miles this morning,yet I
begin to be weary ; yesterday's
huntinghangs stillupon me.
Pisc. Well, sir,
you shall quicklybe at rest,for yonderis
the house I mean
to bringyou to.
Come, Hostess,how do you do ? Will you lirstgiveme a
cup of your best drink,and then dress this chub as you
dressed my last,
when I and my friend were
here about eight
or

ten

daysago

be done

But

you must

do

me

one

it must
courtesy,

instantly.

Hostess.
I

I will do

and with all the speed

it,Mr. Piscator,

can.

Pisc.

Now, sir,has not my hostess made haste 1 and does

not the fish look lovely?
Yen.
Both, upon my word, sir,and therefore let's say
grace, and fall to eatingof it.
Pisc. Well, sir,
how do you like it ?
Yen. Trust me, 'tisas good meat
tasted : now
I ever
as
thank you for it,drink to you, and beg a courtesy of
let me
not be denied me.
you ; but it must
Pisc. What
is it,I pray, sir ? You a^^e so modest, that
methinks I may promise to grant it before it is asked.

SIR

HICNIVY

WOTTON

d2

52

Why, sir,it is,that

Yen.
allow

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

from

henceforth

would

you

Master,and that reallyI may be your

such a companion,and have so quickly
are
cooked
this fish,as makes
me
excellently

to call you

me

scholar ; for you

caught,and so
ambitious

to be your

Give

Pisc.

me

your

scholar.
hand

; from

this time

forward

I will

of this art as I am
be your master, and teach you as much
of the
somewhat
able ; and will,as you desire me, tell you
of the fish that we
to anglefor j and
I
nature
of most
are
than any common
I both can and will tell you more
sure
am

Angler yet knows.

CHAPTER
HOW

TO

FISH

FOR,

AND

TO

III.

DEESS,

CHAVENDER,

THE

OR

CHUB.

Bay.]
[^I;trti
Pisc. The

Chub, thoughhe

usuallydressed he
only for being full of

is

all his

body,but

eat

does not.
small

well thus
He

forked

dressed,
yet

as

he

is

not
objectedagainst,
bones,dispersedthrough

that he eats waterish and

that

the flesh of

him

is not

him

so

be

THE

COMPLETE

ANGLER.

firm,but

short and

tasteless.

mean

as

to call him

as

to make

dressed

so

he be

largechub,

The

French

esteem

he
vilain; nevertheless,

un

him

good

very
dress him

then

53

First,scale him, and then wash

out his guts ; and to that end make

meat

namely,if

; as,

thus

him

clean,and

may

"

the hole

then

littleand

as

take
near

make
and especially
conveniently,
may
you
clean his throat from the grass and weeds that are usuallyin
him to taste
it ; for if that be not very clean,it will make
his

to

as
gills,

Having

sour.

very

done, put

so

with

then tie him

belly; and

two

often with

him, basted

and

roast

and

butter, with

good

dressed,you

will find him

thus

than
which

all chubs

much

verjuice
Being

it.

dish of meat

better

fluid

watery humour

you, that a chub

than a
better
much

take this rule with

But

with

anglersthemselves, do

than
the

dries up
do abound.

for this

imagine:

rather

vinegar,or
a

into his

to a spit,
splinters

three

of salt mixed

store

folk,even

most

or

you,

or

herbs

sweet

some

newly

with
and

taken

of a day's
chub
newly dressed is so
keeping after he is dead, that I can compare him to nothing
from a tree,and others
to cherries newly gathered
as
so
fitly
But
that have been bruised and lain a day or two in water.
and not
the chub
being thus used, and dressed presently,
after he is gutted(for
washed
note, that lyinglong in water,
and washing the blood out of any fish after they be gutted,

dressed

sweetness),
you will find the chub (beingblood, and quickly)to be such meat as will

of their

abates much

the

in

your labour,and disabuse your opinion.

recompense
chub thus :
Or you may dress the chavender
or
When
have scaled him, and cut ofi"his tail and
you
"

and
the

washed

middle, as
four

or

him

cuts

broil him

and

on

all the

a
or

this add

scotches

charcoal,or
time

butter,and

sweet

clean,then chine
salt fish is usuallycut ;
very

he

good

Tlie cheven

store

was

so

ate

of,had

rush.

then

with

that is

baste
a-broiling

give him

hath

three

your

with
with

exceeding small,or

thus dressed

through

knife,and
free from smoke,

him

of salt mixed

so
away, for which
many
the cheven dressed that you

taken

back

wood-coal

little thyme cut

the butter.

is

the

on

slit him

or

fins,

the

best

the

it ; and

to

bruised into

watery

except againsthim.
liked so well,and
now

taste

Thus
mended
com-

much.
that if this cliub that you
But note again,
been kept till to-morrow, he had not been, v/orth

And

remember

that his throat

be washed

very

clean,

54

THE

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

I say very clean,and his body not washed

fish should be.
as indeed
no

Well, scholar,
you

painsI have
despisedchub.'^"

what

see

the lost credit of the poor

rules how
giveyou some
no

Go

to the

same

hot

days you

near

the

top

on

will find

of the water

the

And

; and

recover

I will

now

glad to

am

as

or

will sink down

But

as
grasshoppers

the

tree,

possible
; then put a
hook hang a quarter

rest your
you must
the chubs
it is likely

of the

the bottom

towards

three

let your
which end

of the water, to
bough of the tree.

some

is

as

in

twenty chevens floating

behind
get secretly

hook, and

your

or

two

get
and

motion

from

caughtmy chub, where

dozen

meadow,

free

grasshopperon
of a yard short
rod

to

particular
way.
I

hole in which

most

go over
stand

be this

then it must

caught,but

you
and

to catch him

taken

gutted,

a chub,for there
by catching
you into the art of fishing
fish better to enter a young
he is so easily
angler,

enter

is

after he is

at the first

water,

and
of your rod (forchub is the fearfulest of fishes),
will do so if but a bird flies over
him and makes the least
shadow

shadow

rise uj) to the

they will presently
shadow
top again,and there lie soaringtill some
aflrights
them again. I say, when
theylie upon the top of the water,
look out the best chub
(which you, settingyourselfin a fit
and move
as a
place,may very easilysee)_,
your rod as softly

The

are
very lightlyprized. That celebrated
"
Cliub I do
Modern
Housewife," p. 160
taken
river
where
; those
depends on the

edible propertiesof the chub

cuisinier,Alexis
think

not

But

the water.

on

Soyer, says,
of, but it

much

no

in his
doubt

"

"

like carp." M. Soyer

be cooked
caught in the winter are best.
They may
"
JJaked
fish.
excellent
for
latter
an
the
Carp. Procure
recipe
gives
cooking
a good-sizedcarp, stuff it like the pike (with veal stuflang,
adding a few filletsof
and
anchovies
it
into
then
a
chopped lemon-peel),
baking-dish,with two
put
onions, one carrot, one turnip, one head of celery,and a good bouquet of parsley,
with
two
thyme, and bay-leaf; moisten
glasses of port wine, half a pint of
about two liours to
oven
water, salt,pepper, and oil,and put it in a moderate
if the flesh leave tliebone
bake ; try if done with a knife, which
is the case
"

without
a dish
a
napkin; then have ready the following
into
large Spanish onion with two common
ones, and put them
three spoonfuls of salad oil,saute rather a yellow colour, add
a stew-pan with
two
glasses of port wine and one spoonful of flour, mix all well together,add
of glaze,
some
a pint of broth (reservedfrom
soup), or water, with half an ounce

easily; dress
sauce

or

half

in from

mince

upon
a

gillof brown gravy

which
the vegetables,

boil it up,
also add

drain

to the

cooked
the carp was
of
boil well at the corner

the stock
sauce

teaspoonful of Harvey sauce, one

of anchovies, and a
of essence
pepper, pour all the liquor drained
The above is a capital
serve."
from the fish out of your dish, sauce
and
over,
and
of
barbel, and even
tench,
chub,
bream,
very
river-fish,
cooking
coarse
way

the

stove, skim, and

large roach.

"

Ed.

when

rather

thick, add
little Cayenne

THE

55

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

snail moves, to that cliub you intend to catch ; let your

fall gentlyupon
three or four inches before
the water
and

take the bait.

infallibly

he will

to catch him

of which

give him

hook

does

of the

one

ever

scarce

him,

as

sure

fishes,'""

lose its hold ; and therefore

offer to take him out of the
my

rod

; and

my

till you
tackling

I will sit down

mend

and

and

do

as

back.

return

Ven.

Truly,my

I could wish.

as

is

you will be
leather-mouthed

playenough before you

Go your
; take
presently
way

water.

bid you

; for he

And

bait

Look
"

as

me

fair\

I
your directions.
done, that which joysmy(

I'll go, and

observe

I have
you, master, what
caughtjustsuch another chub

heart,

offered

have

lovingmaster,you

as

was.

yours

Marry, and I am glad of it : I am like to have a

I now
that with advice and
see
towardlyscholar of you.
an
anglerin a short time. Have but
practice,
you will make
Pisc.

love to it ; and I'llwarrant

you.
Yen*. But, master, what if I could not have

found

hopper
grass-

?
Pisc. Then

with his
I may tell you, that a black snail,
show his white, or a pieceof soft cheese,twill

bellyslit to
usuallydo as well. Nay, sometimes a worm, or any kind of
the dor or
the ant-fly,
the flesh-fly,
as
or
fly,
wall-fly
; or
which you may
find imder cow -dung,or a bob, which
beetle,
and in time will be a beetle;
place,
you will find in the same
it is a short white worm,
like to and biggerthan a gentle,
or
any of these will do very well to
fish in such a manner.
And
after this manner
you may catch
in a hot evening: when
a trout
as
you walk by a brook,and
a

cod-worm,

shall

see

or

put

or

case-worm,

it

on

your

long,standingbehind
make
you

your

then if
leapat flies,
hook, with your line

hear him

bush

or

tree

bait stir up and down

if you stand close,
be sure

may,
catch him, for he

is not

where

on

of

you

about

get

two

his hole

hopper,
grass-

yards
is,and

top of the water,

bite,but not sure to

the
a

leather-mouthed

fish : and

after

rally
fish are those
possessing tough palates; they are genefish
Tender- mouthed
of the carp tribe.
The barbel is a good example.
fish
latter
The
are
mostly of the salmon tribe,with crisp and tender palates.
tear
hook-hold
the
lest
when
hand,
hooked, must be
delicate
with
*

Leather-mouthed

played

Ed.
be played roughly without
any such danger.
away ; the former may
at
the
top or
not
must
angle
t In fishingwith cheese, snails,or worms,
you
float.
middle-sized
line
and
of
leaded
the
but
snrface
at the bottom, with
water,
"

"Ed.

56
manner

live

with
but especially
fly,

Yen.
mean

may

with

fish for him

this

you

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

almost

I pray,
before you go further,
fish ?
by a leather-mouthed

you

By

teeth in their

fish I

leather-mouthed

throat,as the chub

gudgeon,and carp, and

being stuck into the leather
the

of

grasshopper.

But

Pisc.

kind

any

good master, what

such

mean

cheven,and

or

as

have

so

the

; and

divers others have

their

barbel,

the hook

skin,or the mouth of such fish,

lose its hold : but, on the contrary,
does very seldom or never
which have
other fish,
a pike,
a
perch,or trout, and so some
not their teeth in their throats,but in their mouths, which
and the skin very
you shall observe to be very full of bones,
takes
thin,and littleof it;I say, of these fish the hook never
so
sure
hold,but you often lose your fish,unless he have
or

gorgedit.
Yen.

what

now,

you, good master, for this observation ; but

shall be done with my chub or cheven that I have

I thank

caught*?
Pisc. Marry, sir,
it shall be givenaway to some
for I'llwarrant
you I'llgiveyou a trout for your
it is

good beginningof

the poor, who

will both thank

silence you seem

it
to part with
willingness
see

by

to ofier your

art

your

you
to

your

so

and

God

poor

body,

supper : and
first-fruitsto

for

it,which

for your
I will also teach
charitably,
consent

And

to.

to note that in March

are
: you
concerningchub-fishing
and April he is usuallytaken with worms
; in May, June, and
at beetles with
at cherries,
or
or
July,he will bite at any fly,
their legs
at the
and wings cut off,or at any kind of snail,
or
And
he never
refuses a
black bee that breeds in claywalls.
more

swift stream,'"*
nor, at the bottom,
is
that breeds in long grass, and
the young
humble-bee
found by the mower
of it. In August, and in the
ordinarily
the

on
grasshopper,

cooler
and

months,

much

of

colour.
which

it,as
And

yellow paste made

pounded in

top of

mortar, with

being beaten
some

time the chub

that the forked bones

make

strongestcheese,

lirtlebutter and

so
saffron,

small,will turn it to a lemon

paste,for the winter months, at
best

(forthen

turned

into

is accounted
are

of the

or
lost,

it is observed

kind

of

gristle,

*
In the Thames, above Richmond,
the best way
of using the
grasshopper
for chub, is to fish with it as with
artificial fly; the first joints of the legs
an
must
be pinched oflf; and in this way, when
the weed
is rotten,which is seldom
till September, the largestdace are taken.
H.
"

if he
especially

baked),of

be

57

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

turpentine. He

cheese and

will

minnow, or penk, as a trout will : of which I

and of divers other baits. But
shall tell you more
hereafter,
take this for a rule,that,in hot weather, he is to be fished for
the top ; and in colder weather
towards the mid- water, or near
if you fish for him on the top,with
And
the bottom.
nearer
bite also at

line be very long

told you that his

to let your

then be sure
or
beetle,
any fly,
and to keep out of sight. And
a

having

of

that the head

spawn is excellent meat, and

the throat being w^ell washed, is the best

But, lest you

chub

dressed

is

him, I will

of

wish

may

you

urging to

have

the

taken, I will commend

curious former

how

consideration

to your

nice in

judge me too
after he
presently

may

so

part

present,but

of this fish at the

more
say no
catch the next you fish for.'"'

largecheven,

times have

been

in

the like kind.

You

shall read in

Cap. 17, that

Seneca,his

the ancients

that that seemed

fish,

their

not

hand
guest's

alive into the

curious in the

so

were

Questions,"Lib. 3,

Natural

"

that

enough

new

; and

he

that

says

of

newness
was

not

to

that

put
end

they did usuallykeep them livingin glassbottles in their

dining-rooms: and they did glorymuch in their entertaining
of

to have
friends,

alive that

great pleasureto
colours,when they were
of the

[Note
fish is

dying.

CHUB-FisiiiNa.

The

"

which
Cyprinus cejplialus,

Blaine,in his celebrated

colour

see

thus,
"

"

of this well-known

scientific name

means,

the

carp,

golden olive

with

carp.

Although

big-headed
carp.

Sports,"describes its

of Rural
Encyclopaedia

"silverybluish

rather call it the

But

spare time.

of my

on

their table

enough of this,for I
tions
observastayedtoo longfrom givingyou some
trout,and how to fish for him, which shall take

I have

up the next

under

from

he says, they
And
be fed upon.
their Mullets
change to several

to
instantly

was

took

doubt

fish taken

that

olivaceous

The

scales

back,"
"

should

its sides have

on

tainly
cer-

yellow or golden hue, than of a bright or silveryone.

the whole
from the author just cited,is on
followingdescription
It much
resembles the carp, but is of a longerform ; the body
good :
of

more

The

"

"

Piscator

for chub.
in the
take

art

givesin

AValton
of

this paragraph some

the matter

understood

fishingfor

the minnow,

or

any

chub
other

and
sort

cheese, honey-paste, insects,natural

Study

my

directions

at the

end

barbel.

good

very

well, and

was

no

touching angling
a great adept
indeed
rarely
very
gentles,prepared

doubt

chub
However,
Lob-worms,
artificial,are the best baits for them.

of fish-bait.
and

advice

of this chapter.

"

Ed.

58
is

THE

oblong,rather

round, and

greaterpart of the
cheeks
of the same

AIs^GLER.

COMPLETE

slope;

of

pretty equal thickness in the

are
large,the irides silvery
; the
head
and back
of a deep dusky
white ;
summer
yellov/
; the belly
a

the scales

colour; the

the sides

but in the
silvery,
green ;
the pectoral
fins of a paleyellow;the ventral and

forked,of

brownish

chub

is

when

in full

hue,

altogethera

but

tingedwith

handsome

fish/'

anal fins

blue at
it

So

the

red; the tail

end

and

the

is,a very handsome

fish

and fresh

caught. Authors differ as to the period

of the year at which this fish is in best condition.
in April,
It spawns
and Blaine says it soon
its condition.
Daniel says it is not in
recovers
prime

season

condition until December.

authority.I
July,but

have

found

inclined to agree with the latter

in tolerable condition in the Thames
in

chub

in the very same

in the Trent.

am

I have

month

caught the fish miserably

.emaciated
There is no
general rule for the colour or
condition of fresh-water fish. Each depends on
the river in which fish
are
Chub
bred, and on the atmosphericinfluence of particular
seasons.
still
and
bushes.
In
with
generallyprefer
waters, weedy,
over-hung
truth,the fish is a pond one, and in ponds fed with a slightdash of
runningwater, providedthey are weedy, and so give a harbour for the
breed of insects,
they thrive well. To bringthem to a large size,they
should be fed with worms,
larva?,grubs, horse -gentles,
grains,piecesof
soft cheese,
prepared greaves, and even raw beef cut into threads the
size of dew-worms.
in
instance,

Daniel

says
of sand

are

in

the Trent
The

"
"

or

at

clay,or

to communicate

in such rivers

as

of the

which

Chub

to
some

be

by clayeybanks

etc."

with

met

in

The

late Mr.

at

for

Sunbury.
bottoms

particularly

Blaine

rockyrivers,but

deepswith soft bottoms

with waters

streams

in rivers whose

are

bounded

are

by trees,weeds,

They are sometimes

alwaysfound to have

found

frequentlycaught chub in
and in the Thames
Sawleybridge,

haunts

deep holes,shaded

"

have

writes,

such

of their own,

or

are
are

fact,chub thrive only

of
currents,
presenta diversity rocky and stronggravelly
which

have.

In

into large and deep pools,where

sand and ooze
widening occasionally
It is here they flourish ; and such situations theychoose as
accumulate.
their winter hiding-places.
In chub rivers,
without
such poolsare never
them

at any

chub-hole
selves from

season, which

always a
the

has

given rise to

chub -hole.'

heat, more

or
overhungwith foliage

In summer,

in
particularly
trees.

In

the

adage,
angler's

river

such

chub

Once

shelter them-"

deeps and poolsas are

they hide
open waters
the
knows, I hope,now

stagnant
aquaticplants.''The reader
most
I must
tell him the best
now
spotswherein to find chub.
likely
modern
to
angle for this fish. At the bottom it takes gentles,
ways
well-scoured largeworms,
preparedcheese,and bullock's pith or brains.
The two latter baits are
and
At the middle
generallyused in winter.
surface of the water, the chub takes grasshoppers,
cockchafers,and flies,
artificialand natural.
In my opinion chub are best caught by fishing
for them
at the top of the water, either with artificialor livingflies.
To be successful with the former in deep water, it should be ruffled by
the wind of a gloomy day ; but in the swift streams
wind is
of rivers,
not necessary. The best fliesare largered, brown, and (inbrightdays)

themselves

under

or

COMPLETE

THE

black

palmers. Winging

natural

an

In

improvement.

using

the
beetles, coclvchafers,

butterflies,brown

small

flies,moths,

is sometimes

them

59

ANGLER.

of
to that branch
May -fly,or
is practised
the angling art, called dibbing,dipping,or daping, which
if
I
write
thus :
If you (I
were
as
speaking to my reader)are about to

housefly,it is necessary

have

to

recourse

"

angle in a river,the banks of which are wooded, a shortish (ten feet

or
so)rod must be used. A winch, a winch-line, and a gut castingline,
will be required. Having baited the hook, viz.,put on it the live insect
the point of the hook in
as
delicatelyas may be, by insertingdelicately
its

back, you

must

tv/irl all that part of the

beyond the rod around

line

This done,
whips before hanging them up.
rod
beneath
of
the
the
bushes,
or
through any
point
any trees,that
pass
the rivet's bank, and theti untwirling the line,the bait,
may
grow on
will fall gently and natttralJy
with proper managemetifc^
oU the surface of

it just as

do their

coachmen

the water, and

not

be taken

only by

any
When

bttt by
chut)"

any

trout, roach,

trees do not
intervene, this
happen to see it.
may
method
of dibbing is not necessary ; but where
they do, it is absolutely
is
rather
most
and
a
or
captivating practice. No
killing,
necessary,
or

dace, that

obstructions

being in

the way, the

will form then what

floss silk,and
To

this,add

attach

about

yard

link.

the hook

and

Now

put

line

on

to your

be

must

called
technically

is

half of fine

back, let out as much

which
and lettinggo the insect-bait,

wind

the winch

on

gut, to

the
the

of stout

blow-line."

"

end

of which

standing with the

your insect,and
"
of the
blow-line " as is required,

between
delicately
of the left hand, it will be carried the requisite
the fore fingerand thumb
The
distance on to the water.
principlesof dibbingare involved in the
I
have briefly
two processes
explained. In bush dibbing I said a short
rod was
required; in dibbing with the floss-silkline a rod of twelve feet
in length must
Wherever
there are wide leaves on the surface
be used.
in succession,and
in

out

of ten

and

with

good

angler,it

will

therefore,keep
sun

whilst
be

no

then

under

any insect that

the extreme
reason,

take

never
as

far away
It

to his back.
at his

shadow

or

As

of them

one

chub,

at midday,

leaves,they will in nine

Walton
mentions,

this fish.

If it

see

the

tempting. He must,
fish with
from
the river as possible,
and never
is a general rule in angling, that the
angler

recreation,must
of rod

it

to each

oft'them.

shynessof

his bait, be

on

water.

such

drops

take

bait

to the

to roll it off* on

weather, lie concealed

warm

cases

the

be well to direct the

water, it would

of the

hold

must

you

look the

fisherman

sun

in the

so

ever

in the face.

water.

"

Ed.J

There

will then

60

liTE

OLD

HOUS

IV.

CHAPTER
OF

OBSERVATIONS

FOR

FISH

TO

HOW

NATURE

THE

BREEDING

AND

; AND

HIM

OF

THE

TROUT,

MILKMAID'S

THE

AND

SONG.

[^i^irlf
Bap.]
The

is

Trout

he may

be

and

Englishsay of

that is

venison,to

says he is a
the swiftest streams, and

may

with

and

that

allowed

wine,
a

fish

; for it is

all sea-fish,
for

the hardest

gravel;

and

that he

all fresh-water

fish,as

the

Mullet

precedencyand

daintiness of taste,
daintypalateshave

on

with

beingin rightseason,
precedencyto

fish

with the
goes out of season
is of a German
spring,
offsays, his name
fish that feeds clean and purely,in

and

justlycontend

poet

in and

observed,that he comes
stag and buck ; Gesner

may

be

foreign

said of

generous
that he also has his seasons

like the buck

so

in this and

the old

justlysaid,as

nations
we

both

valued
higlily

fish

the

most

him.

let me
tell you,
before I go further in my discourse,
And
barren does,
that you are to observe,that as there bo some
that

are

good in

good in winter
usuallythey be in
are

decline with

so

summer,

there be

the buck.

there

in

Germany

to ours,

fish differ much

in their

so

trouts

that

do trouts

not

are

jS^ow you

countries,as
and

barren

that are so, for

many
in the month
of May, and
their perfection
; but

several

ways,

some

are

and

to take

in

notice,that in
other parts,compared

bignessand shape,and

; it is well

known

that

in

the

other
Lake

the Lake

Lemau,
cubits

Mercator'"

and

Geneva, there are trouts taken of three

affirmed by Gesner, a writer of good credit;
of

is

long,as

fortyin

or

gudgeon

in the Lake

of

there

you

Kent, that breeds

may take them twenty
in

greaterthan about the size of a

that relate
also in divers rivers,
especially

hour, but

an

for their number

both

littlebrook

and
incredible,

number

remarkable

trouts

I know

smallness.
to

taken

are

waters, that breed

them

that

says, the trouts

of that famous
great part of the merchandize
further to know, that there be certain
you are

Geneva, are
city. And
and

61

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

are

none

about
to the sea, as Winchester,or the Thames
near
to, or
Windsor, a littletrout called samlet,or skeggertrout (inboth
be

which

placesI

that will bite

taken

some

have

caught twenty
fast and as freelyas

as

to

be

grow to be biggerthan
There is also in Kent, near

never

there

fortyat

minnows

to

standing),

these

be

in those waters

; but

salmon

young

or

t
erring.
Canterbury,a

by

they
called

trout

of the
Eordidge trout, a trout that bears the name
the rarest
where it is usuallycaught,that is accounted
town
the bignessof a salmon, but
of fish ; many
of them
near
known
by their different colour;and in their best season they
cut

white

very

; and

of these have

none

been

known

that was
one
caught with an angle,unless it were
Sir George Hastings,an excellent angler,
and now
and

he hath told me,

he

thoughttltattrout

be-

to

caught by
with God

bit not for

hunger

in Flanders, a man
of so intense applicaMercator, of Ruremond
tion
of
studies,that he ne^^^lectedthe necessary refreshments
He engraved with his own
nature.
to his greohand, and coloured the maps
H.
graphicalwritings. He wrote several books of theology; and died 1594.
in its first year
tlie young
salmon
t The skegger here alluded to is no doubt
salmon
before it has paid its first visit to the sea.
As
has disappeared from
Gerard

to mathematical

"

Thames,

the

large

very
express

have

so

to Paris.

skeggers,or

length

of"

four

or

thirtypounds.

and

lochs

"

the

three

cubits."

of Ireland

and

They

Trout

'"

"

are

every
Scotland.

parr,"and

passage,
and

fry.

salmon

The

Lake

are
trout, which
frequently cooked
that any of
Still,I do not think

Geneva

still produces

tlie spot, and

them

now

as

large are

'Jhe smallest

caught in
species of

very likely that is the fish to which

I know
in Kent, that breeds
a little brook

some

trout

Walton
them

to

sent

to

grow

unfrequentlycaught weighing

not

bit

of
on

the

twenty-

of the loughs
called
is now

alludes

in this

number

dible,
incre-

take them
greater
twenty or forty in tlie hour, but none
may
"
barren trouts.
mentions
than about the size of a gudgeon,"
When
Walton
The
barren trout are
error.
that are good in winter," he falls into a common
of the female fish in
the ova
really male trout, which have shed tlieir milt over
you

The
male fish very rapidly
August and September.
so the female
Not
which,
exhausting process of procreation.
next
is
the
not
until
convalescent
IMay
fish,
followingher
large
fully

the early spawning

from the
recovers
if

accouchement.

"

Ed.

months,

62

others

lie,then, and many

search into

it is rather to be

and

wantonness;

but

their

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

lived ; and have found out

their curiosity.
satisfy

Concerningwhich

the

food

mouths,
of their

man
gills,

if

nourished

are

consider that when

we

she takes

farther

no

tlie

they

they might

have
fish,

some

no

by the porousness
this may be believed,

and

hath

raven

hatched

leaves her

but

care,

which

to

take breath
how

not

curious

notice,that it is reported

to take

and

knows

by

which

and
by good authors,that grasshoppers,
but

been

was

nothing by

are

you

him, have

before

what
bellies,

believed,because both

young
is said,in the

of the God

her
ones

eggs,
to the

of nature, who
Psalms," to
him."
And
that call upon
feed the young ravens
they be
that breed in their nests,
kept alive,and fed by dew, or worms

care

that

other ways
be believed of the
some

or

knows

river out

months

; and this may

it is said of the

of the sea, where he lives,

and, it is like,feeds nine
of the year, and fasts three in the river of Fordidge.
to note

are

you

observingthe

in

not

Fordidgetrout,which, as
(Jerem.viii. 7),that, "he knows his season,"so he
his times,I think almost his day of coming into that

Stork

And

know

mortals

we

that

time

those townsmen

of

very punctual
fish for them; and
are

beginning to

that their river afifordsa trout, that exceeds all

And
just so does Sussex boast of several fish ; as

much

boast

others.

namely, a Shelseycockle,a Chichester

mullet,and an Amerly trout.
And

for

now

some

confirmation

lobster,an

Arundel

of the

Fordidgetrout :
is thought to eat nothingin

that this trout

you are to know
and it may be better believed,because it is
the fresh v/ater,"""
w^ell known
that swallows,and bats,and wagtails,
which are
called

half-year
birds,and

months

in the

better climate

to

seen

have
fellows,

found

been

time, in hollow trees,or claycaves

There

is no

flyin England

year, but about Michaelmas

than this ; yet some
of them

their

left behind

not

speciesof

trout

(salmo trutta) and

whatsoever
the

leave

does

us

for

that have

many

; where

that

for six

thousands

they have

been
at

been

feed in fresh water.

not

bull-trout

grate
{salmo ferox), though they misalmon, and for a time thrive and fatten therein, return
small fish and
to their native rivers,and feed on
insects; indeed, they are the
sewn
greatest destroyers of salmon-fry. There is no fish that has its mouth
up
Walton
about
it were
what
and
as
no
grasshoppers
having
frogs
; and
says
The

sea-trout

to sea, like the

mouths
near

is simply laughable. All that Walton

says of the Fordidge, a
Ed.
Canterbury, and of ravens, etc.,is perfectlyfabulous.
"

river

COMPLETE

THE

observed
; and

the

sleep out

live and

to

ANGLER.

whole

observes,that

Albertus

winter

without

there is

kind of
one
shut
naturally
frogthat hath her
up about the end
she
lives
all
the
winter : and though
of August, and that
so
meat

so

mouth

it be

yet it is known

strange to some,

to too many

among

us

to be doubted.

And

for these

much

so

anglersport,but

an

Fordidgetrouts,which

either live their time

by

their meat

or

or
frog),

only;

the birds of Paradise

to

live,by the
a

and

sun

and

the

the chamelion

said

are

the air.

is also in jSTorthumberland

There
of

as

being in

formerlygot in the sea (notunlike

by the virtue of the fresh water

fresh water,
the swallow
or,

of

afford

never

trout called

bull-trout,

greaterlengthand bignessthan any in the southern

much

there are, in many

rivers that relate to the sea,
different from others,
both in shape
salmon- trouts,as much

parts. And

and in their
from

another

of their wooL
do

sheep,so
they run,
Now

sheepin some countries differ one

in their shape and bigness,
and in the fineness
as
some
And, certainly,
pasturesbreed larger
of the ground over
which
some
rivers,
by reason

as
spots,

breed

the next

we

see

largertrouts.
thing that

is,that the

I will commend

is of

trout

to

sudden

more

your

deration
consi-

growth

than

other fish.

Concerning which, you are also to take notice,

lives not so long as the perch,
and divers other fishes

that he

Sir Francis

do, as

Bacon

hath

observed

in his

"

Historyof

Death."

Life and

to take notice,that he is not like the

you are
which if he lives never
so
crocodile,
long,yet always thrives

And

now

till his death.

And

to know, that he will about,

are
you
before, the time of his spawning,get almost
esjDCcially

miraculously through weirs

streams
through,such
; even

and

flood-gates
against the
most
high and swift placesas is al-

incredible.
October
later

or

Next, that the

November, but in some

which

is the

trout

rivers

because
observable,

more

about

usuallyspawns
little sooner
most

or

other fish

hath warmed
when
the sun
spring or summer,
spawn
it fit for generation.
both the earth and the water, and made
out of
months
And
you are to note that he continues many
of the trout, that he is like
be observed
season
; for it may
in the

the buck

though

the ox, that he will not be fat in many

he go in the very same
pasture that horses
or

will be fat in

one

month

and

so

you

may

observe

months,

do,which
that most

64
other fishes
than
And

next

and

and lean

and unwholesome
:
lousy,
have a big head, and then

or

sugs,
clove

at which

pin,with

head, and

he

weather

warm

the

that

comes

stronger,so

there lies at
to him

near

'Now

he grows

is

stronger,

sharpstreams,and

worms

or

lice ; and

into swifter and

then,

swifter

it is

less

head, and

usuallythe
littlehead

better

to either

yet you
in
]"e,
are

and

note, that

blossom

longer before

as

sooner

in

usually

trout, and is

hog-back and a
other fish,
is a sign

And you are

but these several kinds

they go under

they cast
they go

are

not

are

willows

some

or

others do, so some

hollies
and as some

their

note,that there

most

see

you
than

season

longerbefore
to

pigeonsdo, in

note, that

hath

usual

season.

sooner
rivers,

in rivers

; for

that is not

the male

than

trout, salmon,or any

to

are

bud
palm-trees

And

meat.

that that fish is in

But

yet good ; but

deeperbody

(asthe

yellow; though some

or

and

white

at any

that the female trout

observable,

note

or

time of the year.

that it is observed,that usuallythe

either red

are

be
Fordidgetrout)

men

them,

for any flyor minnow

he especially
loves the May-fly,

[May]than

to know

are

you

best trouts

trouts

himself,
which

the watch

; and

of that month

that end

trouts

from

breeds

and

cadis ; and these make tlie

fatter and better meat at
and he is usually
bold and lusty,

trout

oaks

on
sticking
in shapelike

trout

then,as

gets him

of the cod-worm

is bred

which

and

he

thin,

sticks close to him

there rubs ofi"these

and
gravel,

he grows
as
streams, and

; and

lank,and

them

of worm,

dead,stillwater, into the

the

gets from

have

free himself

comes

be

to

those,I think, the

thrives till he

never

when

big

kind

shall in winter

for you

of them

many
is a

sucks his moisture

and

time

which
trout-lice,

or

son
sea-

note, that tillthe sun gets to such a

the earth and the water, the trout is sick,

warm

to

in

to

lean,and

find him

fat and

sooner

grow

doth.

are

you

to

ANGLER.

and
strength,

recover

the trout

heightas

COMPLETE

THE

leaves,so

out

of

are

or

some

season.

several kinds of trouts

considered

by

of trouts

the

generalname
places; though,it

but

is

very
:

few

justas

certain,there

are

tame
pigeons; and of the tame, there be helmets
to
and runts, and carriers and cropers, and indeed too many
name.
Nay, the Koyal Societyhave found and published

and

wild

and yet
and three kinds of spiders;
that there be thirty
lately,
of
all,for aught I know, go under that one
generalname
and of trouts
spider. And it is so with many kinds of fish,

especially
; wliiclidiffer in
The

and colour.

compared

their

to other hens.

will

small trout,which

hens

be

may

instance,

an

there is a kind
And, doubtless,
thrive

never

than

bignessand shapeand spots

Kentish

great

65

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

to be

do, that

others

big;

be

of

that breeds

of

a
largersize :
if
consider
that
the little
believe, you
may
have
will
titmouse
and
twenty young ones at a time,''''^
noble
t
he
bird,
hawk, or the musical thrassel or blackusually
more

very many
which you
wren

when

rather

exceed
And

next

I will
catch

Trust

master, I

me,

than

trout

five.

direction how

giveyou

Ven.

or

you shall see me try my skillto catch a trout ; and

walking,either this eveningor to-morrow
morning,

now

at my

four

not

chub

for I have

hours,and

minnow

worm.

will

you
now?

and

now,

two

now"?

1
your patience
On my
Yen.
we

trout

or

three

him

luck

worse

this worth

Is not

say you
if
I can
too,

one

will tire him.

is,to land him ;
sleight

sir,now

so,

sometime,

what

turns

more

the

to

fish stir,
neither

good

word, master, this

do with

seen

matter

and
patience,

on

good angler. But

and
still,
landing net ;

that

say you

shall

not

fish for him.

harder

put

endure

must

he lies

see

me

what

is

him, and

you

reach

make

never

There

but hold
1^0 w

your

Well, scholar,
you

Pisc.
or

nor

it is

now

see

followed you these two

at your

shall
yourself

you

is

he

is mine

all my

trout
gallant

own,

labour

and

; what

supper ; we'll go to my
hostess,from whence we came
; she told me, as I was
going
ful
out of door,that my brother Peter,a good anglerand a cheernight,
companion,had sent word that he would lodgethere toPisc.

Marry, e'en

and

bringa

brother

my

make

catch,or find

pass away
a
Ven.

him

to

friend with him.

you and I may

Peter and his

I know

and

eat

some

hostess has two beds,

the best ; we'll rejoice
with

have

My

or
friend,tell tales,
singballads,or
and
harmless sportto content
us

without
littletime,'

ofience to God

or

man.

match, good master, let'sgo to that house; for the

and I love to lie in.
linen looks white,and smells of lavender,
Let's be going,
good master,
a pairof sheets that smell so.
for I

am

Pisc.

hungry againwith fishing.

Nay, stay a little,
good scholar

If Walton

will sometimes

had

lay

said half the number,

a

dozen

he would

eggs, but cannot

E

hatch

; I

have

caught my

been

the whole

right.
of them,

The
"

last

wren

Ed.

66

THE

with

trout

worm

quarter of

towards

walk

shall have

bite

about

put

yonder

lodging.
or
presently

our

ANGLER.

I will

now

hour

an

COMPLETE

Look

hang

him

for another

you,

Oh

; and

thereabout
scholar,

at all.

not

minnow, and try a

trees

hold of him.

word I have
o' my
headed chub ; come

on

Have

! it is

so
we

with you, sir !

great logger-

that willow

twig,and let's
be going. But turn out of the way a little,
good scholar 1
towards yonderhigh honey-suckle
hedge; there we 11 sit and
falls so gentlyupon
the teeming
sing,whilst this shower
smell to the lovely
flowers
earth,and gives yet a sweeter
these verdant

that adorn
Look

meadows.

that broad

! under

upon

beech

a-fishing.And

last this way

seemed to have

hollow

I sat

down, when

the birds in the

contention
friendly

to live in

voice seemed

tree

with

was

adjoining
grpve

echo,whose dead

an

to the brow

tree, near

of that

primrosehill. There I sat viewingthe silver streams glide

towards their centre,the tempestuous sea; yet sometimes
silently
opposedby rugged roots and pebble-stones,which broke
their

and

waves

turned

them

into

beguiledtime by viewing the

in
securely

the cool

the cheerful

that

was

And

leaping

others

saw

craving comfort

from

the

earth,
possess'd
joysnot promisedin my birth."

not

mind

me

j^etattained

with

entered into the next

and
place,

entertained
pleasure

so

'twas

much

any fears of many

too often do : but

age

handsome
and

wisdom

thingsthat

will

a second
field,

milkmaid,that
as

to load her

never

be,as

too

she cast away all care, and sung

: her voice was
good,and the dittyfitted for
nightingale

men
a

it : it

was

at

now

some

for that time lifted above

As I left this

many
like

of their

udders

'*I

had

lambs

As I thus sat,these
bleatingdams.
other sightshad so fullypossessed
my soul with content,
the poet hath happilyexpressedit,
I thought,
as

swollen
and

harmless

sometimes

shade,whilst others sportedthemselves in

; and

sun

And

foam.

made
by Kit Mario w,
song which was
least fiftyyears ago : and the milkmaid's
mother

that smooth

sung an answer
in his younger

to

it,which

was

made

by

Sir Walter

Ealeigh

days.

good,T think
poetry,but choicely
in fashion in
much
better than the strong lines that are now
Look
this critical age.
yonder ! on my word, yonder they
They

both

be

old-fashioned

were

a-milkingagain.

them

to

I will

singthose two

give her

songs

to

us.

the

chub, and

suade
per-

67

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

! I have been a-fishing,

and
speedyou, good woman
am
going to Bleak Hall to my bed, and having caught more
fish than will sup myself and my friend,I will bestow this

God

for I use to sell none.

upon you and your daughter,
MiLK-W.
Marry, God requiteyou, sir,and we'll eat it
this way a-fishing
mouths
two
cheerfully
; and if you come
grace of God, I'llgiveyou
new-made
haycockfor it,and my
a

ence.

syllabubof new

verjuiceia

Maudlin
shall singyou one
best
for
I
ballads ;
she and
both love all anglers,
of her
they
be such honest, civil,
time will you
quietmen
; in the mean
a

red cow's milk ? you shall have it freely

Pisc. 1^0,I thank you ; but, I pray, do us a courtesythat

drink

draughtof

shall stand you and your daughterin nothing,

and yet we will
think ourselves stillsomething in your debt; it is but to sing
us

song

that

was

this meadow

over

MiLK-W.

or,

"

by your daughterwhen I last passed

eightor nine days since.
was
it,I pray? Was it "Come
herds,
Shep-

sung
about

What

song
deck your heads ?" or,
Philida flouts me ?" or,

Armstrong T or,
Pisc. No, it is

"

Troy
of

none

"

"

Town

As

Chevy

; and

when

the latter

Dulcina

Chace

or,

rested T
"

Johnny

those;it is a

ter
song that your daughthe
to
it.
answer
sung
I learned the first part in

the firstpart,and you

MiLK-W.
O, I know it now.

goldenage,

noon

sung

my

at

was

about

the age of my poor daughter

indeed fitsme
best now, but

part,which

of the world began to

three years ago, when the cares
God willing,
take hold of me : but you shall,
hear them both,
two

and

or

sung

as

well

as

can, for

we

we

both love

anglers.Come,

Maudlin, singthe first part to the gentlemanwith

heart,and I'llsingthe second,when you have done.

Come
And
That
Or

live with me, and be my love,

will all the pleasuresprove
we

valleys,groves, or hills,
or field,
and steepymountains
yield;

woods

Where
And

By

will sit upon

we
see

the

shallow

Melodious
And
And

the rocks,
flocks
our
rivers,to whose falls

shepherdsfeed

birds

I will make
then

A cap of

singmadrigals.
thee beds of roses,

thousand

and
flowers,

fragrantposies,
a

kirtle

Embroider' d all with leaves of

E

myrtle;

merry

68

COMPLETE

THE

A gown made
Wliicli from

ANGLER.

of the finestwool

pretty lambs

our

lined choicelyfor
Slippers

With

pull;
cold,

we

the

buckles of the purest gold ;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,

With coral claspsand amber studs :
And if these pleasuresmay thee move,
Come live with me, and be my love.

Thy silver dishes for my meat.

as the gods do eat.
precious
Shall,on an ivorytable,be
Preparedeach day for thee and me.
As

The shepherdswains shall dance and

For thy delight,
each May morning.
If these delights
thy mind may move.
Then live with me, and be my love.*

Yen.
sung
that

by

Trust me, master, it is

honest Maudlin.
I now
Elizabeth

good Queen

our

milkmaid

all the month

of

song, and sweetly

not without cause,

choice

it was

see

did

sing,

often wish

so

May, because they are

herself

not troubled

with fears and cares, and singsweetlyall the day,and sleep

securelyall the night: and without doubt,honest,innocent,

pretty Maudlin
milkmaid's

does

wish upon

and

I'll bestow

so.

Sir Thomas

Overbury's
spring,

That

she may die in the

her,
have good store of flowers stuck
"

beingdead,may
about her w^inding
sheet."t

If all the world and love

And

were

round

young,

truth in every

shepherd's
tongue,
These prettypleasures
move
me
might
To live with thee,and be thy love.
But Time drives flocks from fieldto fold.
rivers rage and rocks grow cold ;
When
Then Philomel becometh
dumb,
And

"

Dr. Warburton,

age

complaiusof

in his Notes

on

*'

The

to

come.

of

jMerry Wives

It is true, Sir Hugh

in
play, sings four lines of it ; and it occurs
Tho.
Cotes
John
for
printed by
Shakspere's,

this song

to

care

Evans,

Shakspere.

in

collection

Windsor," ascribes

the

third act of that,

of poems

said

be

to

Benson, 12mo, 1640, with some

of Christopher
On the contrary, it is to be found, with the name
variations.
has just said it was
made
to it,in " England's Helicon
Marlow
;" and Walton
by Kit Marlow : the reader will judge of these evidences as he pleases.
As to the song itself,
though a beautiful one, it is not so purelypastoral as it
s
generallythought to be ; buckles of gold,coral clasps,and amber studs
are
Bilver dishes and ivory tables
luxuries,and consist not with the parsimony
"

"

and

of
simplicity

rural life and

manners.

of a fair and
Overbury's "Character
happy
The Wife," in 12mo, 1CG5.
printedwith his poem entitled
} Sir

Thomas

"

Milk-maid,'*

69

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

fields
Tlie flowers do fade,and wanton
To wayward winter reckoningyields.
A honey tongue, a heart of gall,
Is fancy's
spring,but sorrow's fall.

thy shoes,thy beds of roses,

and thy posies,
kirtle,
thy
Thy cap,
Soon break,soon wither,soon forgotten
;
In folly
ripe,in reason rotten.
Thy

gowns,

belt of straw and ivybuds,

coral claspsand amber studs,
All these in me
no
means
can
move
To come
to thee and be thy love.

Thy
Thy

What

should we talk of dainties,then,

?
Of better meat than's fitfor men
These are but vain ; that's onlygood
Which God hath bless'd, and sent for food.

But could youth last and love stillbreed

Had joys no date,or age no need
Then those delights
my mind might move
To live with thee,and be thy love.

"

"

Well

Mother.

anglers
; for
more.

when
oaten

! I have

I will make

But
done my song.
Maudlin
to singyou one

stay,honest
short song
last night,

singthat song that you sung

young Coridon the shepherdplayedso purelyon
pipeto you and your cousin Betty.

Maud.

Maudlin

his

will,mother.
I married a wife of late,
The more's my unhappy fate ;
I married her for love.
As my fancy did me move,
And not for a worldlyestate ;

But, Oh ! the green sickness

Soon changed her likeness.
And all her beauty did fail.
But 'tisnot so
With those that go

Through frost

and

snow.

As all men
know.
And carry the milking-pail.

Pisc. Well

I'llgiveyou
you.
another dish of fish one
of these days,and then beg another
let Maudlin
alone ; do not you
Come, scholar,
song of you.
mine
her voice.
offer to spoil
hostess,
Look, yonder comes
to call us to supper. How
? Is my brother Peter come
1
now
sung,

goodwoman

; I thank

Host. Yes, and a friend with him ; they are both glad to
hear that you are in these parts,and long to see you, and
longto be at supper, for they be very hungry.

70

Y.

CHAPTER
DIRECTIONS

MORE

AN

TROUT

TO

HOW

FISH

MAKE

; WITH

FLIES

AND

MINNOW

ARTIFICIAL

TO

HOW

AND

FOR,

FOR

THE

SOME

MERRIMENT.

Bap.]
[S:i)utr
Pisc.

met, brother

Well

Peter

I heard

and

you
made

friend

and that hath

to bring
me
lodgehere to-night,
My friend is one that would
my friend to lodgehere too.
fain be a brother of the angle; he hath been an anglerbut
this day,aud I have taught him how to catch a chub by dapand the chub that he caught was
a
ing with a grasshopper,
lustyone of nineteen inches long. But pray, brother Peter,
would

who

is your companion ?
Peter.
Brother Piscator,my
his

and

companion, that met

eat

Coridon, and he is

is

name

hei-e

me

trout,and I have

together;
Pisc.

fit him

hope to
earlyup.

you, here is

trout

stay

will fillsix reasonable

Come, hostess,dress

pleasantand

be

line since

so

we

met

for his breakfast,

trout

man,
country-

downright witty

my

with

shall not

Nay, brother,you

honest

an

purposelyto

yet wetted

not

but I

for I'llbe

friend is

long : for,look

bellies.

other
and get us what
presently,
meat
the house will afford,
and give us some
best
of your
the good liquor
honest forefathers did
that our
barley-wine,
to drink of; the drink which
use
preservedtheir health,and
made
them live so long,and do so many
good deeds.
Peter.
O' my word, this trout is perfectin season.
Come
I thank you, and here is a heartydrauglit
to you, and to all
the brothers of the angle wheresoever
they be, and to my
brother's good fortune to-morrow.
I will furnish him
young
with a rod if you will furnish him with the rest of the tackling;
we

will set him

him
made

one

up and
thing for his

him

that knows

happy
as

to

; and can
any man
cook them, from
the
met

make

withal.

him

fisher.

And

I will tell

encouragement, that his fortune hath

scholar

much, both

as

ever

be

it

to

such

of the nature

also tell him

minnow

as

to the

master

and

master

breedingof fish,
to catch

well how

salmon,

as

any

and

that I

COMPLETE

THE

Pisc.

Trust

me,

71

ANGLER

Peter, I find my scholar to be so

humour, which is,to be free and pleasant

brother

suitable to my own
and civilly
merry, that my resolution is to hide nothing that
I know
this is my resoluBelieve me, scholar,
tion
from him.
; and

love

us

so

and

here's to you a hearty draught,

and
the honest art of angling.

to all that

good master, you shall not sow your seed

in barren ground ; for I hope to return you an
increase answerable
to your
hopes : but, however, you shall find me
obedient and thankful and serviceable to my best ability.
Pisc. 'Tis enough,honest scholar ! come, let's to supper.
Come, my friend Coridon, this trout looks lovely; it was
twenty-two inches when it was taken ! and the bellyof it
looked,some
part of it,as yellowas a marigold,and part of \
^
it as white as a lily
; and yet,methinks, it looks better in
this good sauce.
Yen.

Trust

me,

Coridon.
well

Indeed, honest friend,it looks well,and tastes

I thank you for it,and so doth my
friend Peter,or

else he is to blame.
Peter.

Yes, and

have
for

supped,I
requital.

do

so

I,we

all thank

get my friend Coridon

will

you ; and
to

when

singyou

we

song

sing a song, if any body will sing another ;

of
none
: I am
else,to be plainwith you, I will singnone
'Tis
those that sing for meat, but for company
; I say,
singall."'^*
merry in hall,when men
Cor.

I will

"

Parody

on

the

adage

"

*'

It's merry
in the hall
all" ;
When
beards wag
i.e.when

all

are

eating.
"

H.

72
Pisc.

I'llsinga song that was

latelymade
Mr. William
Basse,one that hath made the

I'llpromiseyou

by
i-equest

at my

choice

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

songs

Bedlam, and many others

is in praiseof angling.
Cor.

then mine

And

life: what

Career,and

in his

of the Hunter

of note ; and

shall

of Tom

this that I will

of
be,the praise

of

sing,

countryman's

singof ?

will the rest

promise you, I will sing another song in

night; for we will not part till
praiseof anglingto-morrow
and the next day
then, but fish to-morrow, and sup together,
Peter.

I will

and fall to his business.

leave fishing,
every man
Vex.
'Tis a match ; and I will provide
you a song or a catch
addition of mirth to
againstthen too, which shall give some
and as merry as beggars.
will be civil,
the company
; for we
Pisc. 'Tis a match, my masters
; let's e'en say grace, and
and
drink the other cup to wet our whistles,
turn to the fire,
so

singaway
Come

draw

all sad

on, my

thoughts.
masters, who begins1

I think it is best to

cuts,and avoid contention.

Look, the shortest cut fallsto Coridon.

Well,then,I will begin,for I hate contention.

Peter. It is a match.
Cor.

CDoritfon'sSong.

Oh,

the sweet

The

countryman

That

Heigh trolollie lollieIce,

Heigh trolollielollielee.
quietcontemplation

contentment
doth

Possesseth all my
Then

And
For courts

care

wend
are

find !

mind

away,

alongwith
full of

me.

flattery,

As hath too oft been tried ;

Heigh trolollielollieloe,etc.
The cityfull of wantonness,
And both are full of pride:
Then care away, etc.

But, Oh ! the honest country man

Speaks trulyfrom his heart ;
Heigh trolollielollieloe,etc.
His pride is in his tillage,
His horses and
Then care

his cart
away,

etc.

is good sheepskius,
clothing
for
wives ;
our
Gray russet
loe,et
Heigh trolollielollie,
Our

"

73

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

'Tis warmth, and not gay clothing,

That doth prolongour lives :
Then

care

etc.

away,

labour

ploughman, though he

The
Yet

on

the

hard,

holiday,

Heigh trolollielollieloe,etc.
so merrily
emperor

No

Doth

pass his time

Then

care

away.
etc.

away,

To recompense
our
tillage,
heavens afford us showers

The

Heigh trolollielollieloe,etc.
And
The

for our sweet refreshments

earth affords us bowers :
Then care away, etc.

The

cuckoo and the

Full

merrilydo
Heigh

nightingale

sing.

trolollielollieloe,etc.

And with their pleasant

roundelays
Bid welcome
to the spring;
Then

care

etc.

away,

This is not half the happiness

The countryman enjoys;

Heigh trolollielollieloe,etc.
Though others think they have as much,
Yet he that says so lies :
Then come
away, turn

Countryman

with

me.

Jo. Chalkhill.*

"

sung, Coridon ; this song was

sung with mettle,
fitted to the occasion; I shall love you
choicely

Pisc. Well
and

it

for it
the

was

angle;

for

swearingand
mirth
another

next

scurrilous

is worth
discourse,

make

friends ashamed

does

as

of
a brother
you ; I would you were
companion that is cheerful,and free from

I know

long as

as

not

morning ;

repent the money

drink

not

you

be

so

This

it,to

warmed

with

pick out such times,

merrier
make yourselves

rule,you

may

prove, I thank

I will not

; and

be

one

upon
well bear

you may
"
pany
deal
of money
great
; for, 'Tis the comthe charge,
that makes the feast ;" and such

companion you
But

they

companions,that

littlethan
and

when

love such

to look

that cannot

men

they spent

and take this for

such

and
for

nor

gold. I

compliment you

therefore

I will

for it.

you

out

begin my

of the debt that I owe

it may
song, and wish

well liked.

poet'sworks

Walton

edited

in his 90th

year"

that

of his death."

Ed.

7i

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

As inward love breeds outward

talk,
the hawk
The hound some
praise,and some
better

Some,

privatesport,

pleasedwith

:
Use tennis ; some
a mistress court
But these delightsI neither wish
fish.
Nor envy, while I freely

Who hunts,doth oft in dangerride ;

Who hawks, lures oft both far and wide ;
Who
uses
games, shall often prove
A loser ; but who falls in love
Is fetter'd in fond
"

anglebreeds

^My

Cupid'ssnare
such

no

me

care.

Of recreation there is none

is alone ;
So free as fishing
All other pastimes do no less
mind

Than

body both

and

possess ;
do

My hand alone my work can

So I can fi^hand studytoo.
I
'

not, I, to

care

fish in

seas

^resh rivers best my

Whose sweet calm course

"

please,
contemplate,

do

mind
I

seek in life to imitate :

In civil bounds I fain would keep,
And
for my past offences weep.

And

And

when

trout I wait

the timorous

bait.
I find,

To take,and he devours my
How poor a thing,sometimes

Will captivatea greedy mind ;

And when none
bite,I praisethe wise,
Whom
vain allurements ne'er surprise.
But yet,though while I fish I fast,
I make good fortune my repast ;
And
thereunto my friend invite.
I

In whom
Who

is

Than

more

to my

As well content
As

use

For

He

so

of taken
our

Lord

fishers made

Where
A man

welcome

anglewas

to my

my

dish

fish.

prizeto take,
prizeto make :
was
pleased,when

no

fishers of

(whichis in
may

delight:

that

than

more

fish and

no

men

other

game)

praiseHis

name.

THE

The

COMPLETE

75

ANGLER.

first men

that our
Saviour dear
choose to wait upon Him
here,
Bless'd fishers were, and fish the last
Did

Food

that He

was

earth

on

'

did taste

I therefore strive to follow those

Whom

CoK.
coin.

Well

hath chose.

brother,you have paidyour debt in good

that
anglersare all beholden to the good man
ale,and let's
give us more
song : come, hostess,

We

made

He to follow Him

this

sung,

drink to him.
And

let's every

now

but firstlet'spay
hinder me in the

our

one

go to

bed,that

rise early:

we

may
have
for I will
reckoning,

morning,for

my

prevent the

is to

purpose

nothing to

sun-rising.
Peter.

A
I

match.

know, brother,you

together. But

where

friend Coridon

my

Pisc. And
Cor.

Come, Coridon,you
we

let's meet

here,for

; and I am
better usage in any

or

Peter.

'Tis

meet

will

lie

night1 for

to-morrow

and

smell of lavender
meat

scholar

your

I will go up the water

towards Ware.
scholar and I will go down towards Waltham.

my

Then

shall

and

fellow.
bed-

to be my

are

match.

Pisc.

And

so

say I.

Yen.

And

so

say I.

here

sure

fresh sheets that

are

expect better

cannot

we

place.

Good

nightto everybody.

[JFottvt!)
59a".]
Pisc.

Good

is still in bed

drink, and

good
home

come,

bit of meat

dish of meat
as

Yen.

My

; and

Come,

e^ood master,

direction,
accordingto
a

we

get
come

going.

towards

walk

your

to

shall

sure

promise,

the

how

trout.

honest

to
opportunity

we

morning

me

be

scholar,let's be
as

Peter

brother

againstsupper, for

hawks.

now,

river

Pisc.

to breakfast

two

or

hungry as
Well

give me
shall fish for

good hostess ; I see my

give my scholar and

morrow,

scholar,I will take this

very

convenient

do it.

minnow,
a
or
usuallycaught with a worm
call a penk, or with a fly,
which some
viz.,either a natural or
three I will giveyou some
artificialfly: concerning
which
an
The

trout

is

observations

and

for
And, first,

directions.
worms

of these there be very

many

sorts

76
breed

some

onlyin

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

; others

the earth-worm

earth,as

the

of

; and others breed either

bodies of living
creatures, as in

as the dung-worm
amongst plants,

or

of excrements, or in the
the horns of sheep or deer; or
out

maggot
Now

the
especially

firstfor

that has
which

less.

a worm
squirrel-tails,

head,a streak down the back,and a broadtail,

noted to be the best,because they are the toughest

are

know

called

some

red

live

and
lively,

most

chief; and

the

brandling,are

also

some

great trout, and the latter for

be also of lob-worms

There

and

the

lob-worm, and

call the

which

trout, the dew- worm,

for the

but

particularly
good for particular

of them

these be most

fishes

the

flesh,as

others.

and
gentle,

or

of dead

some

that

dead

is but

worm

for you are to

and like to catch
dead bait,

longestin
a

the water

for
worm
: and
lively,
quick,stirring
he is usually
found in an old dunghill,
or
some
a brandling,
to it : but most
usuallyin cow-dung,
very rotten placenear
or
hog'sdung,rather than horse- dung, which is somewhat too

nothing,compared to

hot and
found
after

dry for

But

worm.

also divers

are

got ;

the

as

which

salmon
think

; and

other

even

the

of all others

to name,
many
there be of several herbs

The
after

the

are

tag-tailis

found

shower

of rain ;

find the

oak-worm,

or

as

no

same

and

in March
or

in the

the

lob-worm

and

the

but tell you

more,

avoid confusion, it may

be necessary
to remark,
is,in different places, known
by different names

dew-worm, and the garden-worm

called the flag-worm.

sorts as some
many
shrubs,or of several kinds

even

I shall say

the

bait for

excellent

is the most

too

meadow-worm

for

the

as

of birds in the air ; of which

To

which

of worms,

kinds

heaps

ground out of which they

the
the flag-worm,
marsh-worm, tlie tag-tail,
worm,''^
the twachel,or loboak-worm, the gilt-tail,

shapealter

dock-worm, the

worm

to be

are

of the tanners, which they cast up in

used it about their leather.

they have

colour and

the best of them

in the bark

There

are

that

or

the same

that
;

thus
twachel

of
and

is also called

is,in

dock-worm

kind

the marsh

some

places,

lands or meadows,
April,in marled
weather
when
the
is calm, and not
morning,
and

cold.
To

bare place, and

To

these

on

shake

you

go to an
in the water;

the roots

will find little husks,

or

oak-tree

an

find the dock-worm,

flags;
roots

they

beat

will fall for you

that

and

cases,

amongst
of

tench, bream, carp, roach, and

dace.

over

high-way

or

gather,
old pond or pit,and
a

"

H.

of the
pull up some
the fibres that grow from the

reddish

pin, and take from them a

white, like a gentle, but longer and slenderer,with
and a red head : this is the dock or flag-worm. An
carefullywith

grows

to

or
yellowishcolour ; open
little worm,
pale yellow, or
his belly,
of feet down
rows

excellent

bait for

grayling,

COMPLETE

THE

that what

77

ANGLER.

you fishwith are the better for being

well sconred,that is,long kept before they be used : and in
case

you

and

scour

worms

soever

have

been

not

them

then
provident,

so

they be

lob- worms,

fennel.

But

must

you

then

and

not

which

preservedin

put

nightin

into your
above
brandlings

your

earthen

an

all

to cleanse

put them

in water, and then put them into

if you have time, and purpose to
be best

them

quicklyis to put

the way

fennel,for sudden

keep them

water, if

bag

with

an

hour

use

pot,with good

of moss,
four days in summer,
and
store

every
taken
hands

tillit be

when

your

littlemilk

the

beaten

and

egg

about

cream,

by dropson

your
And

them

again.
brandling,
beginsto be sick
him by putting
you may recover
in a day, into them,
a spoonful

then
bigness,

or

it to

moss

put

the
especially

worms,

lose of his

and

then

but

long,then they

is to be fresh every three or

week or eightdays in winter ; or, at least,
the
from tbem and clean washed, and wrung
betwixt

dry,and

; and if there be added

moss

boiled

in

it,then

to the

it will both

cream

an

fatten and

note, that when the knot,which

preserve them long.* And
to the middle of the brandling,
is near
beginsto swell,then
he is sick ; and, if he be not well looked to, is near
dying.
And
for moss, you are to note, that there be divers kinds of

it,which

I could

is likest a buck's-horn

that which
white

I will

to you, but

name

is the

best,except it be soft
heaths,and is hard to be
dry time, when you are put

which

some
grows on
And
found.
note,that in a very
walnut-tree
to an extremityfor worms,

moss,

water,
that

water

used to rise in the

are

squeezedinto
and then
salt,

leaves

salt in water, to make it bitter or

pouredon the ground,where you shall

or

that

only tell you

night,will

make

them

worms

see

above

to appear

take notice,some
say that
you may
camphor,put into your bag with your moss and worms, gives
them a strong and so tempting a smell,that the fish fare the

ground presently.And

the better for it.

and you

worse

The

other

followingis

very

heef

has

salt will kill the worms,

this cloth, and lay them
till night ; then
in some

of the

health, and
Observe

excellent

an

viz.,Take

piece of hop-sack,or

let it dry ; then wet in the

wash
it clean, and
boiled ; but be careful that the beef is fresh, for
been
into
and wring it,but not quite dry ; put the worms

take

in

the

liquor:

any

from

do thus

others, and

pot, and

earthen

an

worms

once

fit for use, for near

that the lob-worm,

scouring than

way

cloth, and

coarse

liquorwherein

also

arc

the
a

day, and

stand from

let them

cloth, and
you

it,and

wash
may

keep

worms

wet

morning
it again
in

perfect

month.

marsh-worm,

and

will bear

red-worm,

better for long keeping.

"

U,

more

78
And

I shall show

now
so

worm,

shall

as

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

how

you

to bait

much

from

prevent you

hook

your

with

trouble,and thi",

you fish for a trout with a

that is to say, when you fish for him by hand
running-line,'^
I can,
in this as plainly
at the ground : I will direct you
as
loss of many

mistake.

that you

not
may
Suppose it be

middle
must

having so

hook

of your

lob-worm,

big

the

above

somewhat

too, when

hook

but

hook

put your

into him

middle, and out again a littlebelow the

above the ai^mmg
done, draw your worm
that at the

note

enteringof

hook

your

it

of the worm,
but at the tail-end
out
toward
of your hook
come
may

be at the head-end

not

him, that the point

him
above the arming of
the head-end,and having drawn
again into the
your hook, then put the pointof your hook
of

tillit
very head of the worm,
first came
the pointof the hook
that

of the

part

that

worm

come

out

of your hook, and so

then
with two
worms,
the

back
above

was

direct you ; and

useful,and thank
without

attained

for

if you

for the Minnow

caught till March,

it,for you
Penk

or

he is not

or

April,for

in

then

he

hide,and keep himself

and there both to

weeds, which

rot not

so

what

found
easily

in

but carry him

headlongto

running-line,so

as

end, fasten

cleft shot

small

bullet, according to the swiftness

through it,and

draw

the

mills and

called because

buy
you may
strong silk,which
and
to
less
apt
tangle),
being
as

bullet

at

the

is thus
then

it

the river ;
in the mud, or
to

him

to take

no

rest,

weirs,to his confusion.

of
along the ground, is made
I
(but
hair,
s
hops
prefer
fishing-tackle
runs

fitted up.
a hole

make

of the stream
down

and

appears first in
shelter and hide

warm,

in winter,the
placeif he were
would sufier
usuallyin that season

to the

About

ten

through

you
shot

inches

from

the

pistol or musket
and put the line

fish in ;
to the end

of your

line

Or you may,
stead
insilkworm-gut, with a large hook.
large shot, at the distance of eight inches from the
running-lineis used for trout, grayling,and salmon-smelts; and is

Indian

an

of

lose

running river,in
distemperedfloods that

soon

which

fasten

turn

will find it very

the ground
will run
on

river ; nature
having taught him to
in the winter,in ditches that be near
himself,

The

you

cannot

it,you

the

fish

to

attain to

you

arming

mean

you

back

tangling.

Now

are

or

before

on

in the

draw

then

worm

before

worms

having
me

first

placewhere

the shank

And

it.

of the

three

or

and

put the second

hook's-head

two

above

fish with

to the

near

grass, or
bullet,fix four

hook.

The

proper

only for

part ii. chap.

xi.

streams
"

H.

and

rapid

waters.

See

Cotton

on

Bottom-fishing,

THE

of these

And

is not

size

the whitest

minnows;

best ; and

are

the

round

turn

it may

I shall

tw^o

his

white

line which

must

thread, which

the water

quick in

middle

put

know,

to

are

hook, that

on

biggest

size and

stream

that

it must

and, that
big-sized
hook, as

in at
your

beyond or through his gill,

put it
mouth, and the point and beard out at his
tie the hook and his tail about,
very neatly,

tail ; and then

with

the

againstthe
it

that the

three inches

or

again into

that

direct you, which is thus : put your hook

and out at his gill
; then, having drawn

now

liis mouth,
hook

it is di-awn

nimbly,you

turn

to know

are

next,

79

best ; and then you

be so put on
your

must

when

ANGLER.

firstyou

the

minnow

your

COMPLETE

will make

it the

apter to
that done, pull back that part of

turn
your

slack when

back, so

did put your hook into the

you
the second time ; I say, pull that part of your line
that it shall fasten the head, so that the body of the

minnow

shall be almost

minnow

try

was

straighton
turn, by drawing

it will

how

hook

your
it

this

the

across

done,

water

or

; and if it do not turn nimbly,then turn

little to the rightor left hand, and try again,
tillit

againstthe stream
the tail a

that it is

for know
and

if not, you

for

quick;

turn

to

then

you are yet

a small loach

salt

let

here

serve

as

them, and

by

four

or

nothing:

too

quick;
minnow,

other

small

: and
you
that means

fish
to

yet

are

keep them
longer; and that

days or

which

old

anglersknow

waters, a minnow
and
therefore
let
tell you, I have,
me
got ;
I will show
artificial minnow,* that will
an
you,
trout as well as an artificialfly,
and it was
made by
some

"

"

catch

handsome

lyingby
and

tell you, what many

times,and in some

to be

is not

that had

woman

her

the mould

wrought upon

or

or

very sad French

the belly,
shadowed

towards

Walton's

method

he would

of these

cheaply
those

be to
No

days.
at

"

needle

silk,and

green
as

with

as
perfectly

back

the

palergreen
you

silk

imagine,

can

How
of making
is curious.
prised
surartificial minnow
an
other artificial fish baits
the artificial minnows, and

see

amateur

all the tackle

called

fine

hand, and a live minnow

body of the minnow, was cloth,
a

it thus

over

of it with

are

you

well

turn
want

or
stickle-bag,
any

three

me

rightwell,that at

case

catch

is the best.
salt,bay-salt
And

that in

know,
or

know, that you may

ready and fit for use
of

dangerto

that it should
impossible

quick,will

that will turn

in

are

need

make

shops,well made,

flexible,"made

by William

them
and

now,

as

they

in infinite

Flinn, of Worcester.

be

to

are

variety.
"

The

Ed.

had
best

80

COMPLETE

THE

justas

you see
needle,and it

was
wrought also with a
; the belly
of it white silk,
and another part of

minnow

was

ANGLER.

part

silver thread ; the tail and fins were

of a quillwhich
of two littleblack beads,and
shaven thin ; the eyes were
Avas
the head was
shadowed, and all of it so curiously
so
wrought,
it with

and

exactlydissembled

so

in

sightedtrout
show

you ;

have

two

three made

I have

so

in

for

carried
theybe easily
; for

use

hundred

belly;

note, that
the

as

greyhound

and

are

the
dun-fly,

on

hare.

have

devoured

that

there

I will

name

had

trouts

are

are

so

many

you

but

some

the
red-fly,

moor-

the cloudy or
shell-fly,

bear-flies ; and

the
blackish-fly,
and
cankerflies,
caterpillars,

indeed

either for me
to
many
And
their breedingis so

too

for you to remember.

various and wonderful,that I might easily
amaze
or

tire you in

large

sixtyminnows

the
stone-fly,

the vine-fly
flag-fly,
; there be of
name,

about

that

to know

to

mettled
highest

either the trout had

there be of fimits

the
tawny-fly,

and
flies,

now

gave it a friend of mine

his throat after he had taken him.

You

the

as

I will

^^
which is the third bait wherewith
flies,

sorts of fliesas

the
fly,

it ; for

or
partridge,

miller

down

usuallytaken.
of them

on

trout's

the

or

forced them
Now

by

told that

been

many,

beguileany sharp-

this minnow

at a minnow
fiercely

as

seize

found

been

And

be of excellent

come

doth

hawk

it would

look,here it is. and, if you like it,lend it you,

or

will

trout

swift stream.

angler,and

an

that

myself,and

relation of them.

And, yet,I will exercise your promisedpatience

by saying
a

littleof the

them
to

the palmer-fly
or
or
caterpillar,

run

creatures

with which

river-banks

the

; that

worm

by

but
you may
guess what a work it were, in a discourse,
those
and little living
over
worms
flies,
very many
and

the

sun

and

adorn and

summer

for the

meadows, both

beautify

recreation

and

which, I think, I
contemplationof us anglers;pleasures
that is not of my
than any other man
myselfenjoy more
profession.
that many have their birth or being
Plinyholds an opinion,
from
and

that

The

daped

kinds

some

student

flies.
or

that in the

dew

He
well.

must

was

not

Cotton

this book, written

flies shall be stated.
of

"

not
a

springfalls from

of them

pay

any

are

from

attention

fly-fisher
; but he was
the
and
was
fly-fisher,

to what
a

Walton

says

about

cial
artifi-

and dibbed
good bottom-fisher,

when

by him, all that is necessary

Ed.

the leaves of trees ;

dew left upon herbs

I come

to the

to be known

second

about

part
artificial

THE

COMPLETE

81

ANGLER.

flowers ; and others,

from a dew left upon
coleworts or
kinds
of
which
all
dews
thickened
and condensed,
cabbages:
being

or

heat most of them hatched,

by the sun s generative
and in three days made living
creatures
these of several
: and
shapesand colours;some
beinghard and tough,some smooth
are

and

soft ;

some

have

horned

are

in their

head, some

in their

have

tail,

none
hair, some
; some
and
have
some
none
less,
feet,
; but as our
those which have
observed,
Topsel*hath with great diligence
the earth,or upon broad leaves,
their motion
move
none
upon
of the sea.
Some
of them, he
being not unlike to the waves
also observes,
to be bred of the eggs of other caterpillars,
and
some

none

sixteen

some

have

some

those in their time, turn

to be butterflies ; and again,
that their eggs turn the following
And
year to be caterpillars.

that

affirm that every

it breeds
which

some

affirm

therefore
four under

the

and

feeds.

had

neck, and

two

lived thus
colour

some

five

two

keeper of
had

it feed

saw

or

have

taken

as

six

or

three

it,it then

thence

sharplyas
days,and

dog

turned

call fliesof prey, which

in summer,
fasten
see

was

belly,
found

and

gnaws
thrived and

times ; but, by some

died,and did not turn to

lived,it had doubtless

the

put into a
of privetput to it,on

two

or

may

bigas

as

It

pillar,
cater-

and

seen,

the tail.

near

which

particular
flyor

or
caterpillar
worm,
fourteen legs,
eighton

and was
hedge of privet,
largebox, and a littlebranch
on

his

it,a green

peascod,which

small

planthas

to

one

bone ; it
changed the
a

neglectin
a fly
: but

the
if it

of those fliesthat

those that walk

by

the rivers,

smaller

flies,
and, I think,
And 'tisobservable,
that as there be
make them their food.
these fliesof prey, w^hicli be very large,
there be others,
so
created,I think,only to feed them, and breed out
very little,
not what ; whose
of I know
life,
they say, nature intended
not to exceed an hour : and yet that lifeis thus made shorter
or
by accident.
by other flies,

may,

on

It is needless to tell you what the curious searchers into

and flies :
have observed of these worms
nature's productions
and
but yet I shall tell you what
Aldrovandus,t our Topsel,
that whereas
others,say of the palmer-worm,or caterpillar,
others content

In his

""

themselves

to feed

on

History of Serpents."
a
great physician and

t Ulysses Aldrovandus,
wrote

herbs
particular

hundred

and

twenty

books

riscibus, publishedat Frankfort,1640.

on
"

leaves,

naturalist of Bologna ; he
a treatise De

several subjects,and
H.

or

S2

THE

for most

"

tilink

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

those

leaves that

very

gave them

lifeand

jDarticular
feedingand nourishment, and
that upon them they usuallyabide ; yet he observes that this
is called a pilgiim,
or
palmer-worm,for his very wanderingand various food : not contentinghimself,as others do,
life,
with any one
certain placefor his abode,nor any certain kind
but will boldlyand disorderly
of herb or flower for his feeding,
wander
or
up and down, and not endure to be kept to a diet,

shape,givethem

fixed to

particular
place,
colours
of caterpillars
Nay, the.very
are, as

1very elegantand

beautiful.

I describe

them

one

of

^month,show

you

him

shall,for a
I will,some
which

has

one

taste

observed,

of the

rest,

the

time

next

feedingon a willow-tree ; and you shall find

this very description
to answer
and
: his lips
punctually

moutli

somewhat

purple;

his eyes black as jet; his forehead

hinder parts green ; his tail two-forked

yellow;

his feet and

black ; the whole body stained with a kind of red spots,

which run along the neck and shoulder-blade,
not unlike the
and

form

of St. Andrew's

and
which

white

add much

cross,

or

line drawn

the letter

towards

thus

wise,
cross-

to his tail ; all

body. And it is to
caterpillar
givesover

a fixed age this

to be
winter
comes

observable,that at
eat, and

made

his back

down

his whole

beauty to

X?

covered

me

to

with

over

or
crust, called an aurelia : and so lives a kind
without eating,
all the winter ;* and, as others of
of dead life,
several kinds turn to be several kinds of fliesand vermin
the

strange shell

so
springfollowing,

this

then
caterpillar

turns

to be

painted

butterfly.
Come, come, my scholar,yon see the river stopsour morning
and
I
will
also
here
discourse
walk,
stop my
; only as we
under this honeysuckle hedge,whilst I look a line to
sit down
fit the rod that

our

little confirmation
of Du

brother Peter
of what

hath lent you, I shall for a

I have said,repeat the observation

Bartas.

God, not
And

By

contented

to eacli kind

to infuse the virtue

Plis wise i)ower

made

to

give,

generative,
many

creatures

Of lifelessbodies,without

Venus' deed.

So the cold humour

the

Who,

breeds

'"

breed

salamander,
commander,

in effect like to her birth's

with her touch

child with hundred
winters,
Quencheth the fire,though glowingne'er so much.

With

See

Sir Francis

Bacon's

Exper,,

72 S and

90, in liis Natural

History.
"

H.

COMPLETE

THE

83

ANGLER.

in
So in the fire,

burningfurnace springs
flyPerausta,with the flamingwings ;
Without the fire it dies,in it it joys,
Livingin that which all thingselse destroys.
The

So slow Bootos underneath

In th'

him

sees,

goslingshatch'd
icyislands,

of trees,

into the water.

Whose fruitful leaves,falling
fowls soon after.
Are turn'd,
'tisknown, to living

So rotten planksof broken shipsdo change

To barnacles.
0 transformation
strange !
'Twas first a green tree,then a broken hull,

Latelya mushroom, nov/

Yen.
to my

have

flying
gull.

0 my

walk has been spent

good master, this morninggreat pleasureand wonder : but I pray, when shall I
direction how

your

like to those
artificialflies,
also how to use them 1

to make

loves

that the trout

best,and
it is now
Pisc. My honest scholar,
past five of the clock,
will fish tillnine,and then go to breakfast.
Go you to
we
bottle of drink under the
yon sycamore-treeand hide your
hollow root of it ; for about that time, and in that place,
we

will make

brave

breakfast with

pieceof powderedbeef,
and a radish or two that I have in my fish-bag
I
shall,
; we
warrant
fast,
you, make a good,honest,wholesome, hungry breakand 1 will then giveyou direction for the making and
time there is your rod,
using of your flies; and in the mean
a

line,and my advice is,that you fish as

and let'stry which can catch the firstfish.

and

Vex.

I thank

direction

you, master. I will observe and

far as I am
able.

as

Pisc. Look
-fish: I
and

now

touch

see

you see
you, scholar,
it is a trout,I pray

line,for if you
"Well done, scholar,
I thank you.
Now

not

my

for another.

lay down

scholar,come

Trust

So now
you did the other.
dish for supper.
I am
Yen.
glad of that

master, yours is
Pisc.

but

better rod and

Nothing

can

be sounder

than

this advice.

be seized by the hand, but it must

circumstances, by winding it up by means
never

f2

good

put that
do, then

net

under

him^

we

break

all.*

bite

another

help me
sure

have

better

Nay, then,take mine, and

practise
your
of

shall be

we

do,

hold

rod,and

your

me

I have

I have

me,

see

you

no

come,

to land this

as

to have

good

fortune

sure,

tackling.

I will fish with

In

playing a fish,the

yours.
line must

or less accordingto
be shortened more
Ed.
or reel.
of the winch
"

84^

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLEil,

Look

another.
Come, do
yon, scholar,I have
I before.
I liave a bite at another.
Oh
And
now

\brokeall
Yen.
/"

man

there's half

Ay, and
Nay, the

^^isc.

"

good trout

he

Master, I

Ven.

I have

angle:
Pisc.

hook

lost ; for pray take notice,no

had.

never

neither catch with

can

lost.

second

the firstnor

fortune.

no

Look

good

me

too.

is not

trout

lose what

can

line and

did
you
! he has

as

T
scholar,

yon,

yet another.

have

And

now,

[two]brace of trouts,I will tellyou a short

towards
A scholar,
breakfast.
a preacher
our

havingcaughtthree
tale

as

walk

we

to preachto procure the

say, that was
parish,that he might be their lecturer,had

I should
a

approbationof
got from

his

first ]3reached
that was
with
copy of a sermon
by him that composed it : and though
great commendation

fellow

pupilthe

first,
yet it
second

to

at
preached it,word for word, as it was
the
disliked
it was
as
utterly
preachedby
which
the
sermon-borrower
congregation:

of it

the borrower

was

his

of it

to the lender

complainedof

and

thus

I lent you, indeed,my fiddle,but not my

cannot
make
that every one
you are to know
**

words, which
scholar,you

fitted to

are

And

so, my

ill
or
ill-pronunciation
of
it,so the illcarriage
spoils
accentingof words in a sermon
makes
to a foot in a rightplace,
even
your line,or not fishing
you lose your labour : and you are to know, that though you
have

the

as

with which
that is,my very rod and tacklings
fiddle,
I catch fish,
that is,
yet you have not my fiddlestick,

my
see

you

to

are

know, that

fiddlestick ; for
music with my

mouth."

own

my

answered

was

yet have
line,or how

you

skill to

not

to

guide

how

know

it to

to

carry

rightplace;

your

and

hand

and

this must

be

remember, I told you anglingis

But
or
or both.
a long observation,
an
art, either by practice
take this for a rule.When
you fish for a trout with a worm,
lead than will fitthe
let your line have so much, and not more
in a great
in which you fish ; that is to say, more
stream

taughtyou

troublesome

for you

stream

are

than

to

in

smaller that is quieter;

be, so much as will sink the bait

keep it stillin motion, and not more.
as

may

But

now

scholar,to the

you,

this meat
oat

let's say grace

taste

beat.

fall to

of
providence

well ? and

it ? for this

and

was

not

an

will
sycamore-tree

angler?

placewell

shade

us

near

bottom,and

breakfast:

old

this

to the

as

from

what
Does
chosen

say
not
to

the sun's

THE

Vem.

All

And

too.

COMPLETE

excellent

good,and

1 remember

now

Lessius'"'says:
have much, more

"That

excellent good
ray stomach
find that true which devout

and

and

men,

poor

in
pleasure

eatingthan

that always feed before their stomachs

meat, and call for

I do

you

would

those

that fast

rich

and

are

men

empty

often,

gluttons,

of their last

for

selves
by that means
they rob themtliat pleasurethat hunger brings to poor men."
of that saying of yours,
that
seriously
approve
rather be a civil,
well-grounded,
well-governed,

of
And

85

ANGLER.

more

"

than a drunken
lord."
But I hope
temperate,poor angler,
there is none
such ; however, I am
certain of this,that I
have

been

at very

half the content

me

God

and

costlydinners

many

that this has

that have not afforded

done, for which

I thank

you.

And

good master, proceedto your promiseddirection

for making and ordering
my artificialfly.
I will do it ; for it is a debt due
Pisc. My honest scholar,
unto
because you shall not think
you by my promise. And
yourselfmore
engagedto me than indeed you reallyare, I
now,

will
me

freelygive you such directions as were

an
by an ingeniousbrother of the angle,
excellent fly-fisher.t
most
You

made,

by

there

note, that

to

are

anglewith

flies to

the

on

the way, that the fittestseason

windy day,when the waters

natural

be seen,
the dun-fly,
in March
: the

flycannot

wings, of the
dun-fly;
black
The

the

body

; made

Leonard

of black wool

and
feathers,

third,is the

of Jesuits

body

of artificial

Note,
ing
bluster-

The first is
upon them.
is made
of dun wool ; the
The

and

of the

the

second, is another

born

was

of the

wings made

feathers

his tail.

under

in April : the body is

-fly,
yellowunder the wings and under

He

the tail

Jesuit, professor of divinityin the College

at

Antwerp,

1554, and

became

very famous

divinity,civil law, mathematics, physic, and history : he

ratio
theologicaltracts, and a book entitled, Ilygiasticon^seuvera

honae, et vltae ad extremam

conservandae.
senecttitem
He
Lessius, it is probable the passage in the text is cited.

dinis

t Walton

this work

From

of

died in 1G23.

his
lie admits
very little about fly-fishing. In this passage
derived
from
scholar
are
the
he
that
tlie instructions
stating
gives

useful.
was

as
flies,

made,

an

of the

angle."

The

instructions

are

curious, but

by

no

of this work, written

by
treat of artificial
shall
we
his
excellent
in
day,
fly-lisher
Ed.
metliod of using them.
and show
the modern

When

Cotton, who
now

wrote

valetu-

knew

ignorance,by
"an
ingeniousbrother
means

of

made

for his skill in

several

the

troubled, that

stone

Lessius.a very learned

at Louvain.

kinds

and

man

usingthese,is

of

so

feathers.
partridge's

drake's

black wool

are

honest

the water.

top
of

rest

or

twelve

are

latelygiven to

we

come

to

tlie second

part

"

86

THE

and

made

so

which

the

the

black silk ; and the feathers are

of the drake : with the feathers of a red capon
hangs danglingon his sides next to the tail.
with

about

wool, wrapt

wings

The fourth,is
wiugs of the drake.
of
beginningof May : the body made

with

in
ruddy-fly,

in
greenishfly,

is the yellow or
fifth,
made

yellow wool

of

hackle

body

the

in June
yellow-fly,
yellowlist on either

sad
of

made

of the

the

the

side ; and

red
the

also,
The

body

also

the

with the herle of

wiugs of

brown

The

made

body is

of

seventh,is theblack wool, with

wings taken

with black braked

buzzard,bound

in May
-fly,

lapped about

wings are

the

the

of the red cock's

his blue feathers in his head.

capon, with
a

the

wool, and

likewise

May
wings made

sixth is the black

of black

made

; and

The

tail.

or

tail :
peacock's

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

hemp.

oft*the
The

wings

is
eighth,

with the body of duskish wool ; and

moorish-fly
; made
the wings made of the blackish mail of the drake. The ninth,
is the tawny-fly,
good until the middle of June : the body
made of tawny wool, the wings made contrary,one againstthe

the

of the whitish mail of the wild drake.

other,made

in
is the wasp-fly,
with

about

July; the

yellow silk,the

made

body
wings made

The

of the buzzard.

of black

The

tenth,,

wool,la])ped

of the feathers of the

eleventh

is the

shell-fly,
good
about
greenishwool,lapped
body
with
tail,and the wings made of the
a peacock's
The twelfth,is the dark drake-fl}''
wings of the buzzard.
good in August ; the body made with black wool, lapped
about with black silk ; his wings are made with the mail of
"V2the black drake,with a black head. Thus have'youa jury of
likelyto betrayand condemn all the trouts in the river.*
\flies,
other directions for fly-fishing,
I shall next give you some
such as are given by Mi\ Thomas
Barker,t a gentlemanthat
drake,

or

made

July ; the
the herle of

in mid-

reader

The

*
"

mail,"

we

of several
few

is not

hues

feathers

are

more

t I shall also furnish

given by Mr. Thomas

Angling; and, as far as
a

of these fiies. By the word

any
The mottled
feathers of the mallard

use

mottled."

"

still used
useful.

for the

wings, legs,and

with

you

"'

some

Barker," who

other

he

directions
before

wrote

it goes, it is clever.

poacher, because

flies.

tails of

There

are

Ed.

"

are

almost

adopt for his

to

understand

must

of

He

little how

cares

was

for

Walton
doubt

no

he catches

such
fly-fishing,
treatise

as

short

practicalangler,

on

fish,provided he does

Lord Montague,"
a general"of the navy.
lord, he thus begins :
I met
to your honour.
Under
favour, I will compliment, and put a case
discourse
he
fell
out
with
with a man,
and upon
our
me, having a good weapon,
liome
skill ; I say this man
come
but neither stomach
nor
by AVeepingmay
catch

His

them.

Addressing

himself

patron

to the

was

Edward

noble

"

"

cross

; I

will

cause

the

clerk to

toll his knell.

It is the very

like

case

to the

COMPLETE

THE

hatli

spent much

iii fishing
; but

time

S7

ANGLEPu

I shall do it with

littlevariation.

First,let
best

of two

be

to

for
especially
exceed
a

and
light,
and

pieces:

three

three

be

rod

your

little strongerabove,in tlie upper

attain

can

you

and
rises,

angle with

to

catch

more

to the

one

the

exceed,
"

I say, not

hook,
"

may fish
line ; but if

though you

part of your
hair,you shall have

Now

fish.

line

your

the most,

four hairs at

or

let not

four links next

or

I take

gentle;

very

be

must

you

more

to

not

sure

cumber

do.

you

your back ; and

to fish down
the

yourselfwith too long a line,as most

beginto angle,cast to have the wind on

the sun, if it shines,to be before you ; and

stream; and carry the point or top of your rod
which

And

before

downward, by

yourselfand rod too, will be least

offensive to the fish ; for the sightof any shade amazes
the
and spoils
fish,
your sport of whichyou must take agreat care.
the shadow

means,

of

"

gentleman angler,that goetlito the

neither,judgment nor experience :

: this
angler hath
lightlyladen at hia

river for his pleasure

he

home

come

may

leisure.
he
river for his pleasure, must
understand, when
Cometh
The first thing he must
do, is to observe
there, to set forth his tackle.
of the air for
for day, the moon,
and sun
the stars, and
the wanes
the wind
"

that

man

to set forth

night,

pleasure and
I

Now

"

goeth

some

am

to the

for

his tackles

day

or

and

night ;

accordinglyto

go for his

profit.

determined

rod, and go to my
carrying my line with

angle with

to

ground-baits,and

the

tackles

set my

|iartof the stream,

at the

begin
pleasure.
uppermost
running trulyon
upright hand, feelingmy plummet
line
ten inches from
the groimd some
the hook, plumming
according to the
my
for all
will not
serve
swiftness of the stream
T angle in ; for one
plummet
for the true angling is, that the plummet
streams:
run
truly on the ground.
My lord sent to me, at sun
going down, to provide him a good dish of
to see
to the door
trouts
against the next
morning, by six o'clock. I went
I

to my

an

"

how

the

to

the

three

of the air

wanes

not, God

willing,but

it proved very dark

hairs twisted, for the uppermost

two

angling

part

lob-worms, the four

dark.

the

provided at

river,and

silks twisted, for the lower

with

that
I returned
like to prove.
answer,
the time
appointed. I went

were

to be

I fell to
with

angle.

the lob-worms

"

the

I threw

part

with

ends
It

and

hanging

its

line of

as

so

hairs

two

silks and
and

two

hook
my
in
them
guess

I could

that

presently

I baited

hook.

meet

very dark,
I do with
as

of three

line

good large

proved
same

out

I doubted

had

the flies,on

good sport ;
the top of

then, you

the

must

top of the water ;

hold
guess ; then
nigh as you can
of
doubt
losing
is
no
there
line
bite
straight,feeling the fish
; give time,
your
the fish,for there is not one
amongst twenty but doth gorge the bait : the least
letting the fish
the fish sure,
stroke you can
strike fastens the hook, and makes
The night began
take a turn or two ; you may
take him up with your hands.
:~You

water

loose

slack

will

hear

line down

the

fish rise at

to the

bottom,

the

as

set to my
and
lighter ; I took off"the lob-worms,
for
the time,
of a large hook ; I had good sport
rod a white palmer flymade
red
to
a
palmer,
until it grew
lighter ; so I took off" the white palmer, and set
made
of a large hook ; I had
good sport until it grew very light: then I took
to

alter and

grow

somewhat

88
In the middle

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

should not,
March, tillwhich time,a man
in April,if the weather be dark,
or
honesty,catch a trout
little windy or cloudy,the best fishing
is with the
a

in

of

"

or

which

palmer-worm,of

I last

there be divers

kinds,or

the

the

May-flyare

thus

made

you ; but of these

at least of divers colours ; these and

ground of

spoke to

all

which
fly-angling,

to be

are

hook with the line in the inside

First,you must arm
your
of it,then take your scissors,
and cut so much
of a brown
mallard's feather,
will make the wings
as in your
own
reason
of it,you havingwithal regardto the bignessor littleness of
part of your feather next to
your hook; then laythe outmost
your liook,then the point of your feather next the shank of
your hook ; and
about the hook
was

armed

of

cock

off the red

with

the

or

and

set to

black

I put ui) my
for the service.

appointed

fish.

So

it three

silk with

same

the silk

and, havingmade
capon'sneck, or

palmer

of

the dish

having so done,whip

four times

or

which

the hackle

which
plover's
toj),

palmer

I had

tackles, and

is

usually

good sport, and

with

was

my

hook

your

fast,take

lord

made

at his

up
time

with the help of the lob-worms, serve to angle all the year
three flies,
I have showed
in this nightwork ;
as
niglit; observing the times
you
the white llyfor darkness, the red flyin medio, and the black flyfor lightness.
is the surest angling
This is the true experience for angling in the night ; which
These

"

for the

"

of all, and

"

killeth the greatest trouts.

longer tlian your rod.

Now, having taken a good
having provided good company,

Your

lines may

be

strong, but

must

not

lord.

He

be

"

dish

of trouts, I

commanded

presented them

me

to my

to turn

cook, and

familiar

friend,to

dress them

for dinner
There

"

an

angler

had

"

comes

angling?

been

dish
Put

with

My

eggs.

that ?

was

answer

trouts

into the

me

how

was

the

me

"

he

was

I did ? when

I did not

reason

his dish offish, which

dressingof

against his will,because

your

gentleman,

compliment witli me, and asked

and demanded, in discourse, what

book the
relate in my
dish of trouts
sir,what
buttered

honest

an

begins to

said it was

He

to

was

he loved ? I pray you,

dish of close-boiled trouts,

him, that every

scullion

dresseth

that

I will tell you, in short

let them
the kettle is set to the fire,and

he cannot

calvor

kettle when

them.

cooks do ; and they shall boil close enough ; which

is a
gently,as many
good dish, buttered with eggs, good for ploughmen, but not for the palate. Sir,
I hope I have given satisfaction,"
Barker
excellent
the
doubt
was
no
an
angler. He was
[This Mr. Thomas
of what
And
inventor
moths.
he used
called night-flies
are
first known
or
viz. : in darkness, a very light bodied
the rightprinciple,
and lightthem
on
winged fly; when only moderately dark, a yellow fly; and when becoming to
have
the flies called the
moderns
fly. Hence we
get dark, a brown-bodied
white
and
the
Barker
moth.
If
I
mistake
the first
the
was
not,
brown,
yellow,
boil

to make

It is

use

now

state, and

of trout
very

very
than when

salmon

or

and

common

roe
a

as

very

bait for fish,but he used it in

deadly bait ; but it is used in

properly,as being,when
raw.]

"

Ed.

so,

more

killingand

state.

raw

preserved

far more

nient
conve-

COMPLETE

THE

8?-

ANGLER.

better;take off the one side of

the hackle,silk,or crewel,gold

the

feather,and then take

silver thread,make
these

or

ing;
hook, that is to say, below your armtake the hackle,the silver or goldthread,

fast at the bent of the

then you must
work it up to the

still removing your

or
wings,shifting
the silk about the hook; and stilllooking
turn
as you
finger,
at every
stop or turn, that your gold,or what materials
make
soever
you
your flyof do lie rightand neatly; and if
the head^
you have made
you find they do so, then, when
and

make
and

all fast and

make

your hackle
then with a needle
work

then

that fast

and

up to the head,
or pin divide the

into two, and then with the arming silk whip it about
you
crossways betwixt the wings,and then with your thumb

wing
must

the

turn

hook,and
hook,and
your
I

then work

three

then view

the

confess,no

bent of the

the

the shank

of the

if all be neat

and
proportion,

and

to

be

can

given

to make

of

man

flywell : and yet I know, this,

will helpan ingeniousanglerin a good
little practice,

with

degree; but

to

teachingto
by

him, and

hair,or

see

to make

make

the

mark

then

what

an

ingenious
anglermay

fliesfall on

them, if he

having
a

sees

or

that

the water

the trouts

having alwayshooks
bag always with him,

brown

kind,is the

artist in that

an

then

; and

hair of

by

And

it.

of

one

flymade

the river and

day,and catch
flyof that kind
with

four times about

or

direction

capacityable

walk

towards

fasten.
liking,

dull

best

the feather

pointof

sad-coloured

leap at a
ready hung,
bear's

with

heifer,hackles

capon, several coloured silk and crewel to make

the feathers of a drake's head, black or
the body of the fly,
brown
wool, or hog'swool or hair,thread of gold and
sheep's
of

cock

or

to
of silver ; silk of several colours (especially
sad-coloured),
make the fly's
head : and there be also other coloured feathers,

both

"

fowl
speckled

:'""I say,

at tliis point of his edition

of AValton,

of littlebirds and

Sir John

Hawkins,

of

having those
gives,in

note"

for flyThe
so.

used in his time"

nearly a hundred
years ago
a list of the materials
not
of the materials
mentioned
Some
are
making.
proper, the others
will capture
flies
as
such
following list contains all that is necessary for dressing
wings, tlie
transparent
For plain, dully
trout, grayling,chub, dace, and roach.
more
far
therefore
and
rally
genethe
of
best,
the starling's
fibres
wing-feather are
of the
feathers
the
from
fibres
used ; for small
light transparent wings,
from the
lark's wings ; for reddish wings, the land-rail's and red-wing's feathers
of woodcock,
the
wing-feathers
mottled
under
the
from
for
and
wings,
wing;
wing
of
feathers
partridge,and hen pheasant, and the brown and grey mottled
all
sorts
for
legs,
the mallard, and tail-feathers of the hen and cock pheasant ;
"

"

THE

with

Mm

in

first,
yet

at

as

his

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

bag,and tryingto

make

fly,though he
to such a
even
better,

shall he at last hit it

none

miss

fection
per-

well teach him

can

flyright,and

have

; and if he hit to make

to hit also where
there b'"

the luck

of trouts,a dark day,and a right wind, he will catch

him to grow more
store of them, as will encourage
and
in love with the art of fly-making.

store

such
more

Ven.
then

But, my

T wish

the honest

lovingmaster,
in

were

wind

if any

Lapland,to buy

witches, that sell

so

will

good wind

winds

many

not

serve,

of

one

there, and

of
so

cheap.
Pisc.
from
the

Marry,scholar,but

under

this tree

shelter

mind,

and

us

close ; this sycamore

I will tell you, as they shall come
of

for the wind

first,

winds,the

have
presently

sit

observations

more

But

therefore

and

shall

not, we

be

there,nor
it beginsto rain ;
not

for look how

clouds,if I mistake

shower

I would

south wind

for a
fly-fishing

; you

are

indeed
and

by

smoking
will

tree

into my

trout.

notice,that of the

to take

is said to be the best.

One

observes,

that
when the wind is south,
bait into a fish'smouth.

It blows your

Next

to

that,the

having told

wind

west

that the east

you

is believed to be the best

wind

worst, I need

is the

and
not

of cock's hackles,duns, reds, browns, whites, and blacks, naturally,and dyed

yellow,green, olive,orange, purple; for legs also, grouse'sback-feathers, wren's

"

tail,golden plover back-feathers, pewit's topping, peacock's harl of different

hues, black ostrich harl (harl is the fibre of the long tail-feathers of the peacock,
"c.), and a few others. These feathers,or at least a few of them, are often used
the bodies of flies,
to make
and frequently to rib them.
The

best materials

dubbing, that is for making the bodies and occasionally

colours.
They best suit the
pig'swool, dyed of many
imitation
of large-bodiedflies,and resist the water
better than
stance
any other subused, except seal's fur, which
dyed diversely,is an excellent dubbing.
the

legs,are

Floss

for

mohair

and

silk of every

hue

is used

for bodies, and

various

monkey's, spaniel's,mole's, water-rat's, hare's pole and

and

few

other

For

sorts.

tipping

at the

sorts

ear,

of furs, bear's,

martin's

tails of flies,and

for

yellow fur,

ribbing the

silver and

gold twist and tinsel. All sorts, sizes, and

when
be well waxed
indispensable, and they must
used.
for the whipping of the hook and gut, and
Varnish
is necessary
for the
finishingof the heads of flies. All slip-knots sliould be touched with varnish
three.
to prevent them
flies have
two
whisks
or
tails,some
undoing. Some
To imitate them, the fibre of the mallard's
mottled
feather is much
used, and
the
faces
found
so
are
bear skins, and
on
on
hairs,particularly the dark ones
"of rabbits,cats, "c.
The whisks
tails of flies should generallybe the colour
or
use
bodies, you must
";olours,of tying silk

either

of the

bodies

or

are

wings.

The

ivill frequentlysuit for the tails.

"

fibres of the
Ed.

feathers

used

for the

wings

THE

tell you

which

(asSolomon

COMPLETE

is the best in the third

wind

that
observes),

sow," so lie that

never

if the weather
shall be

be

91

ANGLER.

busies his head

made

not

degree:

he that considers

"

cold

extreme

the wind

much

too

and

by

about

them,
wind,

east

an

yet
shall

it is observed by some,
: for as
superstitious
that
there is no
good horse of a bad colour," so I have
observed,that if it be a cloudyday, and not extreme
cold,let

little

"

the wind

set in what

And

not.

yet take this for

the lee-shore

standingon
the

fish lies

winter

in

water,
bottom
But

and

in

tell 3'ou

I may

also

and

of the

in

deeper
the

nearer

the lee side of

gets nearest

more

notice,that

and

bottom,

summer

then

take

to

are

you
the

nearer

day,and

promised to

trout, which

than

cold

in any
water.

the

swims

or

do its worst, I heed it

fish
rule,that I would willingly

it will and

corner

for
fly-fishing

do, for you see it

enough
make
his
First,for a May-fly,you may

have

rains

time

to

May-butter.
willowish
crewel or
colour;
body with greenish-coloured
in
with
waxed
most
silk,or ribbed with
places
darkeningit
black
such

hair,or

the

wings for

them

of

some

colour,as

nay, at that very

with an
jnake the oak-fly,

season,

the brown

and

know,

of

to

the

May-flyand
keep as far

you

fish with

you

when

the

the

silver thread

flyto

have
Or

water.

at

yon

; and

that
may

orange tawny, and black ground,

mallard's feather for the wiugs ;* and you

the

the water

flyor

worm,

excellent

most

are

oak-fly.And

from

with

see

you

day,on

that these two

are

ribbed

let

that is,
flies,
that

againtell you

me

whether
possibl}^,

as

you can
and fish down

the stream

and

let no part of your

possible,
line touch the water,tbut your flyonly ; and be stillmoving
your flyupon the water, or castingit into the water, you
yourselfbeingalso alwaysmoving down the stream.
you

Mr.

fish with

Barker

only those

if it
fly,

commends

ribbed

The

best way

black,or

this excellent

of the

others that have

w^ith red, and a red

some

flyis

in my " Handbook
to
dressed of a full size, and
silk, and tipped
dark brown

thus

Angling." Wings,
Partridge'swing-feather
Body, bright yellow mohair, ribbed with
with
gold twist. Legs, a honey-dun hackle wound
"

lie flat.

Hook,

No.

9 and

10.

"

is

never

treated

shown

twice

under

the

wings.

Ed.
with the natural fly,
you dib with the artificialas
larly
particuThe method
of throwing or casting is more

unless
t This is impossible,
which

not
palmer-flies,

gold,but

silver and
of

to imitate

of

several sorts

with

their bodies all made

be

practised.
of in the notes

on

part 2, chap.

v.

"

Ed.

92
hackle

also make

may

; you

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

the

hawthoru-fly,which

is all

big,but very small,the smaller the better ; or

is orange
the oak-fly,
the body of which
colour and black
crewel,with a brown
wing ; or a fly made with a peacock's
feather is excellent in a brightday. You
must
be sure
you
in your
want
the
and
not
feather,
peacock's
magazine-bag,
the grassgrounds of such wool and crewel as will make
hopper
best ;
that
the
smallest
flies
the
and
note,
are
usually
;
most
and note
also,that the lightfly does usually make
sport in a dark day, and the darkest and least flyin a bright
clear day ; and lastly,
to repair upon
or
note, that you are
occasion,
any
any occasion to your magazine-bag,and upon
them
lighteror sadder, accordingto your
vary and make
fancy,or the day.

blackjand

not

I*shall tell you, that the fishing

with a natural
fly is excellent,and aftbrds much pleasure.They may be
found thus : the May-fly,
usuallyin and about that month, near
And

now

the
on
side,especially
againstrain : the oak-fly,
butt or body of an oak or ash, from the beginningof May to
the end of August ; it is a brownish
flyand easy to be found,
and
{?tands usuallywith his head downward, that is to say,

to

the river

towards
is
fly,

had

to be

forth.

come

of the tree

the root

the small

hawthornor
black-fly,

bush after the leaves be

any hawthorn
these and a short line (asI showed, to

on

With

angle for a chub),you may dape or dop, and

behind a tree, or in any deep hole ;
grasshopper,
it to

move

the

on

top of the water,

still keepingyourselfout

sport if there be

trouts

the

hot

evening of

And

of

sight,you

; yea, in

day, you

as

liot

wall have

if it
shall

were

also with

still making

alive,and

certainlyhave

day, but

in
especially

sport.

is ended
scholar,my direction for fly-fishing
w^ith this shower, for it has done raining; and now
look
about

now,

and

how

looks ; nay,
pleasantlythat meadow
and the earth smells as sweetlytoo.
tell you
Come, let me
Herbert
"what holy Mr.
says of such days and flowers as
these ; and then w^e will thank God that we
enjoythem, and
walk to the river and sit down
and try to catch the
quietly,
you,

other brace

see

of trouts.
Sweet

day, so cool,so calm,

so

briglit.

The bridal of tlie earth and sky,

Sweet dews shall weep thy fall to-night
"

For thou must

die.

9.3

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

Sweet

hue, angrj^ and

rose, whose
Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,

Thy
Sweet
A

is

root

where

music

Only

"

shows

when

days and
compacted lie ;

you

and

sweet

your

And

all must

virtuous

"

die.

soul.

timber,never

gives ;

world

the whole

roses,

closes

have

turns

coal,

to

chieflylives.

Then

Ven.

die.

must

of sweet

sweets

Like season'd
But

in its grave
And
thou

spring,full

box

My

ever

brave,

tliank

good direction
you, good master, for your
and for the sweet
for fly-fishing,
enjoynjeotof the pleasant
day,which

is

and

I thank

Mr.

Herbert's

far

so

for the sweet

you

have

and

Well, my

that
And
let

me

hath
you

are

you

so

or

man

discourse with
of your
heard, loved angling; and

close
have

it, because

to those

much

so

Pisc.

am

believe

anglers,and

to

who, I

verses,

I do the rather

offence to God

spent without

he

had

primitive Christians

spiritsuitable
that

love,

you

commended.
I

lovingscholar,and
well

pleased with

direction

my

know

pleasedto

am

and

course.
dis-

since you like these verses

of Mr. Herbert's so well,
tell you what a reverend and learned divine that fesses
proto imitate him (andhas indeed done so most
excellently)
writ of

our

will like the

sure

no

enem}^

"What

of

book

Common

he is

better,because

Prayer by
The

friend of

the Booh

? and

Gonimon

spiritof grace

supplication

left free alone

For time and place.

Is not
But

manner

too

to

by rote,
read, or specik^

Is all alike to him that prays

In's heart,what with his mouth

They

he says.

that in private,by themselves alone,

take
Do pray, may
What
they please,
liberty
In

which

I know

mine, and I

angling.

to

And

Prayer ;

choosing of
Wherein

the

ways

to make

Their soul's most intimate affections known

To him that sees in secret,when
They're most conceal'd from other men.

Yes !

why

not

3i

others leads the way

But he tliat unto

In

publicprayer,

Should
As

do it

so

all that hear may

know
They need not fear
his

their hearts unto

To tune
Amen

doubt

; not

Devotion will add

And

tongue, and

they were

blaspheme, when

To

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

they meant

lifeunto

why

That which

the letter :

authority

Prayerin the Church's

As sense, of all prayers

be

the better ;
as well
bears the bell. Cn. Harvie.

words

"

I think it will be time

scholar,

now,

which
angle-rods,

left in the water

we

tell you, this kind

And, let me

like

are
layingnight-hooks,

for the

they both work

owners,

\ so happy
\angler,for

and

so

No

wlien

"and the statesman

do

they

know

we

the

dead
use

lawyer is swallowed

; for

done

this

under

this

did

under

no
scholar,
a

up

rod,

nothingbut

cares

life of

even

his Melibceus
honest

an

to

have

free from

our

themselves

with
fishing
jDutting
money

life,
my

as
pleasant,

the

when

repairto

to fish for

of

as
or
eat, or rejoice;
sleep,
you
a
nd
sat
last hour, and
as
as
quietly
and
Tityrus
sycamore, as Yirgil's

their broad beech-tree.

to

shall be yours ; and it is

you shall choose which

lay,one of them catches.
and

pray'd.

Advantage got ?
be good, the commoner

If the prayer

and

to have

sliould not

esteemed
Prescribes,

And

say,

betrayed

life

well-governed
with

business,

is

then we
preventingor contriving
plots,
[siton cowslip-banks,
hear the birds sing,and
possess ourin
silent
these
silver
much
as
quietnessas
jselves
streams,
which we now
see
Indeed, my good
glideso quietlyby us.
Dr.
Boteler
of
said of strawberries,"
scholar,we may say
angling,as
Doubtless
doubtless God
^

did make

never

made

more

better

berry,but
mightbe judge, God
a

;" and so, if I

innocent recreation,
than
calm, quiet,

did

never
a

could have

God

"

angling."
I sat last
when
ril tell you, scholar,
these meadows, I
looked
down
and
did of the cityof
Charles the emperor
too

were

to
pleasant

I then sat

on

into

'

verse

We

have

be looked

on, but

this

primrosebank,
thought of them, as

on

Florence, That they

As
only on holidays."
"

this very grass, I turned my present thoughts

'twas a wish, which I'llrej)eat
to you.*

here liltle less than

Walton's

own

word

for it,that the

following

THE

COMPLETE

^c

95

ANGLER.

angler'sraisL

flowerymeads would be :
crystalstreams should solace me
To whose harmonious
bubbling noise
I with my angle would rejoice,
Sit here, and see the turtle dove
I in these
These

Court his chaste mate

Or,

that

on

Breathe
To

see

oif

singa

Here, give my
And

raise my
Earth, or what

;* [^ "Like

song

Hermit

Poor.^'|

blackbird feed her young.

leverock build her nest

mind,
flowers,

these

by Aprilshowers

Kenna*

my

wind

west

plenty : pleasemy

dew^ropskiss

sweet

Here, hear
There,see
Or

and

then wash'd

And

to acts of love :

bank, feel the

health

rest.
weary spirits
low-jjitch'd
thoughtsabove
mortals

poor

love

Thus, free from lawsuits and the noise

Of princes'
courts, I would rejoice
;
Or, with my Biyanf and a book,
Loiter long days near
Shawford brook ;t
There sit by him, and eat my meat ;
There

the sun
both rise and set ;
see
bid good morning to next day ;
There meditate my time away ;
There

And
A

beautiful

in

mistress,

our

We

"

by Nich. Laneare,

There

is

doubt

let

he had

in his mind

add, that the

me

from

formed

be

name

the

vein

of poetry

of his

supposed

maiden-name

of his-

H.

by the author's

see,

grave,

That

to which

^.

to have

to a welcome

clearlyto

seems

Ken.

beg

writing.

reference

his mistress,sing the

Kenna,
music

was

of his

are

life of him

Kenna,"

"

wife, which
*

quietpassage

stanzas

is noted

and

angle on,

an

song,
eminent

"

to the

Like

margin,

Hermit

of Walton's

master

to hear

he wishes

that

This

Poor."

was

song

set to

time.

a
(and probably with Mrs. Walton)
it
of
words
first
three
the
Ilestoration,
years
become
The affected writer of the
were
a
Life of the Lord Keeper
Guildford," page 212 of that book, speaking of Sir Job Charleton, then chiefhall
to Whiteto speak with the king ; and went
justiceof Chester, says, he wanted
his walk
in St. James's-park, he must
pass ; and
; where, returningfrom
""
there he sat him down
like hermit
poor." H.
H.
of his favourite dog.
t A friend conjectures this to be the name
-brook, part of the river Sow, running through the very land
X Shawford
AValton
which
bequeathed in his will to the corporation of Stafford to find coals

favourite

no

one;

that

this

for, some
phrase.

song was
after the

"

"

"

the right of
for the poor;
house, described by Walton

winding stream, and

in

mind

in
fisliery

which

in his will , is

the situation such

like Walton's.

"

H.

now

as

to this little estate.

attaches
divided
would

be

The

brook

likelyto

is

create

The

beautiful

admiratioa

^6
When
saw

I liaclended

this composure,
I left this place,
and
of the anglesit under that honeysucklehedge,

brother

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

that will prove worth your

met
with
we
him, and presently
one

: I sat down
acquaintance
by
accidental
of
ment,
merrian
piece

which

I will relate to you ; for it rains still.

the other side of this very hedge sat a gang of

On
and

to them

near

sat

of

gang

then to divide all the

either

indeed

legerdemain,
or

their

that

that week

got

was

shillings.The
the

amongst

been

gipsies,
were
gipsies

got that week,

or
by fortune-telling,

other

and
by any
sleights
mysteriousgovernment. And

belonging to
odd

beggars.

that

had
money
linen or poultry,
or
stealing

by

The

proved

odd

money

of their

poor

be

to

but

twenty

secrets

the

and

some

agreedto be distributed

was

for the

corporation
; and

own

sum

that was
remainingtwenty shillings,
to their
gentlemengipsies,
according

to be divided

several

unto

four

degreesin

their

commonwealth.
-And

part of the

third
The

second

know

men

The
The

20s.,which
to have

was

all

last

men

for

all

205.,which

all

fifth part of the

know

to have

sixth

3 times 6s, 8d. is

205.

gipsywas
to be

os.

id.

so

is 4 times 5s,

And

so

is 5 times 45.

so

is 6 times 35. id.

he

to

As

make
now

that he had
knew

part of the

example,

gave
it
of
for
Is.
himself.
kept

them

part of the 205.,which

fourth

20s.
205.
20s,

yet he that divided

though

But

men

is 6s. Sd,

know

And
And
that

all

to be 45.

As

And

have

to

was

fourth and

20s.,which

have

gipsywas, by consent, lo

to be 5s.

third

know

men

chiefest

the firstor

for

but

the money
was
so
very
said
these
sums,
every one

example,

s,

d,

.19

gipsy,
yet he

you

shall

know, that when

got

Is, by

any

reason

the money,
dividing
to demand
more,

the four

saw
gipsies

though not

one

of

yet,like lords and

COMPLETE

THE

courtiers,every

wrangledwith

gipsyenvied
him, and

belongedto him
it, as

that

none

another

will

that

one

they fell to

so

knows

the

are

However,

the

and
gainer,
remainingshilling

high a

so

faithfulness

certain that

mischief

was

said the

easily
believe;onlywe

twenty years,
much

him

every

and

97

ANGLEJR.

of

that have
has

money

about

contest

gipsy to

one

lived these last

been

able to

do

the

too w^ise to go to
were
gipsies
their choice friends Rook and
Shark, and our late EnglishGusman,"'to be their arbitrators
and umpires ; and so tliey
left this honeysucklehedge,and
went
to tell fortunes,
and cheat,and get more
and
money
lodgingin the next village.

law, and

did therefore choose

When
the

these

were

whether
beggars,

cloak.

it

heard

contention amongst
liigh
easiest to ripa cloak,or to unrip

we

gone,

was

One

But that was

beggar affirmed it was all one.
denied by asking her if doing and undoing were
all one.
Then another said 'twas easiest to unripa cloak,for that was
But she was
to let it alone.
answered
by askingher, how

she

unrippedit,if she

mistaken.

These

and

and

answered

was

as

let it alone

with

much

as

to

whose

number

muses,

talked

and

loud

so

was

neither

more

all the

this

rippingand

what

posed,
pro-

ness,
earnest-

of the

mouth

less than the

nor

heard

one

the

and sometimes

about
altogether
that not

beggarlylogicand

proceed from

schismatic
pertinacious

most

herself

were
twenty such like questions

heard

ever

and she confessed

beggars,

nine
poet's
unripping,

the other said

but

at

last one

beggarcraved audience,and told them that old father

Ben Jonson
in his "Beggar's
Clause,whom
Bush,"t created
of
their corporation,
to lodgeat an
alehouse called
was
king
"

far
not
Catch-her-by-the-way,"
in the high road towards
London

them

to

spend

no

more

but refer all to

uprightjudge,and
should be next
to the motion

time

from
; and

about

father Clause

in the

Waltham

he therefore desired
like tions,
queshe
for
an
was
night,

that and
at

meantime

Cross, and

draw

such

cuts, what

song-

sung, and who should singit. They all agreed

the youngest
; and the lot fell to her that was

The
that appeared a few
Alluding to a work
years before, entitled
James
Hind,"
Gusman
'J'hief,
English
; or, The
History of that Unparalleled
considerable
made
a
written
Hind
by George Fidge. 4to. London, 1G52.
at
VTorcester
and
both
at
the
of
time
the
and
fought,
figure
great rebellion,
"

Warrington,
in 1C51.

t This

the

on

Rook

and

comedy

was

king's side.

He

was

arrested

by order of the Parliament

H.
Shark, imaginary associates of the English Gusman.
and Fletcher.
not written by Jonson, but by Beaumont
"

98
and

virginof

veriest

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

Davison's song, which

sung Frank
he made
fortyyears ago ; and all the
joined to singthe burthen with her.

the

others of the company

this : but first the burthen
The dittywas
the

Here's scraps

enough to serve

noise of viols is

What

when

As

mirth

What

so

our

merry
doth want

play,beggars play !
to-day.

Bright shines

sun

she

And

company.

sweet

clappersring?
when

beggars meet

beggar'slife is for a king,

Eat, drink,and play,sleepwhen

Gro where

we

will

Brightshines
Here's scraps
world

The

For

We

we

sun

all is

"

fields and

Upon

own

enough to

our

gowns
if
yet any dare

beggars fill.
play,beggars,play !
serve
to-day.

we

herds of black and

hundred

And

sun

alone ;
at will.

our

streets

Bright shines the

list,

is ours, and ours

alone have world

Here's scraps

we

stocks be miss'd.

play,beggars,play !
enough to serve to-day.
the

purchasenot
Both

so

"

white

securelyfeed
us

bite,

as creed.
as sure
dies,therefore,
lord
it
as they please,
beggars
And
only beggarslive at ease.
Brightshines the sun ; play,beggars,play !
Here's scraps enough to serve
to-day.

He

Thus

Yen.

you, good master, for this

well humoured
this song, which was

I thank
and

and

well remembered

by

pieceof
by

the

ment,
merri-

maker,

you.

But, I pray, forgetnot the catch which you promised

to make
againstnight; for our countryman, honest Coridon,
be forced
will expect your catch,and my song, which I must
Pisc.

patch up, for it is so long since I learnt it,that I have

it hath done raining,
a part of it.
But, come, now
forgotten
walk to the river,
and
let's stretch our legsa littlein a gentle
to

pay us for lendingthem so

long to be used by the trouts ; lent them, indeed,like usurers,
and their destniction.
for our profit

try what

Yen.

interest

Oh

me

! look you,
lost her !

master, I have
Pisc. Ay, marry,
Lad

angleswill

our

master,

sir,that

the luck to have

taken

was

fish !

good fish indeed

up that

Oh, alas,

fish I

if I had

rod, then 'tistwenty

to

COMPLETE

THE

lie should not have broke

one

end, as

you

that is

he
(unless

rod

bent of my

an

near

had

by runningto

fellow to the

of such

was

the rod's
within the

have held him

been

ell long,which

that he had his

line

my

I would

suffered him.

99

ANGLER.

picturedrawn, and

lengthand depth

is to be

now

great trout
at mine

seen

at the George,in Ware),and it may be by

E.ickabie's,
givingthat very great trout the rod, that is,by castingit to

host

into the

him

for

so

always

use

fish;and

water, I might have caughthim

you

speak of is

it is an
least,

art ; or, at

me,

many

overgrown
for I tell you,

that the

art to catch fish.

great trout

scholar,I know not what

country people that believe

to that belief

yet less,that hares

Casaubon

change

that

Gaspar Peucerus,a

that

once

conditions.
came

hath

And

to

make

say to it.
hares change

note, that

sexes,

year

turn

to

reasons
seem

Doctor

Mer.

incredible

things,

learned

tells us of a people
ph37^sician,
wolves,partlyin shapeand partlyin

so, whether

And

think

men

the wonder

affirms in his book of credible and

you

to

every

incline them

an

learned
year : and there be very many
them they find many
too,for in their dissecting

sexes

longrun

salmon.

Pisc. Trust
are

with

hereafter

too

so

But, master, I have heard

Yen.

so

I meet

do when

will learn to do

is an
scholar,
fishing

There

to

at the

this

were

salmon

when

he

into the fresh water, and his not

altered him to another colour or

say : but I
both for his

am

returninginto the sea

kind,I am not able to
the
all
signsof beinga trout

certain he hath

and spots;and yet many

shape,colour,

think he

is not.
Vex.

But, master, will this

trout

die ^ for it is like he hath the hook

which

in his

I had

hold

of

belly.

Pisc. I will tell you, scholar,

that unless the hook be fast
than probablehe will live;and a
in his very gorge, 'tis more
littletime,with the helpof the water, will rust the hook, and
it will in time

hoof,which
And
I have

away

only leaves

now,
a

wear

as

graveldoth

the

in the horse-

false quarter.

let'sgo
scholar,

to my

fish too, but

you, scholar,
chub ; and
logger-headed

it proves a
amiss,for this will

rod.

Look

poor body,
honest
and
brother Peter,
to meet
our
we
as
go to our lodging
Coridon.
bait your hook again,and lay it into
Come, now
retire to the
will even
the water, for it rains again: and we

this is not

sycamore

much

some
pleasure

tree,and there I will giveyou

fishing
; for

I would

fain make
G

directions

more

you

an

artist.

cerning
con-

100

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER.

Yes, good master, I pray let it be so.

sat down
and
Pisc. Well, scholar,now
we
are

Yen.

I shall tell you

of salmon, which

I purpose

of

before
trout-fishing,

shall be next, and then of

speak
the pike

luce.

or

You
a

little more

at ease^

are

there

know

to

are

night as
nightthe best

trout,and that in the

holes

water, with

great lob

to fish within

are

you

of

ijie manner

and

in

for
quietly,

taking them

gardenworm,
where
the
place

for
day-fishing

as

trouts

or

or

out

come

the

is,on

of their

top of the

rather two, which

somewhat
well discerned,

waters

the bait will not be

stream

well

is

run

so

swift : there
to some
near
I say, in a quietor dead place,
the top of the water, to and fro ; and if
draw your bait over
in the hole,he will take it,especially
there be a good trout
the top
dark ; for then he is bold,and lies near
of any frog,or waterof the water, watching the motion
him and the sky : these he
that swims between
rat, or mouse

if the

night be

hunts

after if he

sees

holes,where

these dead

to their holds j for you

usuallystir out
the timorous

as

to

are

in the

of either is seldom

great trout feeds

then the
And

these

littlehook

trouts

in

move

of

one

usuallylie near

note, that the great old trout is

; and

day,but usuallyin
very boldly.

fish for him

must

you

great old

or

and lies close all day,and does not

fearful,
of his hold, but lies in it as close in the day
hare does in her form, for the chief feeding

subtle and

both

but wrinkle

the water

let him

w^ith

have time to

the

night,and

and not a
strong line,
gorge your hook, for he

usuallyforsake it,as he oft will in the day-fishing.

if the nightbe not dark,then fish so with an artificialfly
lightcolour,and at the snap : nay, he will sometimes
at a dead mouse,
a
or
piece of cloth,or anythingthat

does not
And
of

rise

This is a
the water, or to be in motion.
choice way, but I have not often used it,because it is void of
that such days as these,that we two now
the pleasures
enjoy,
seems

to swim

afibrd

an

And
exceeds

across

angler.
Hampshire,which I think
brooks,
England for swift,shallow,clear,pleasant
of trouts,theyused to catch trouts in the night,
by

you
all

are

to

know^

that

in

and

store

the

lightof a torch or straw, which, when they have

other ways.
or
they strike with a trout-spear,

kind

of way

till I
seen

was

it.

an

theycatch very many ; but

of it,nor
do
eye-witness

I would

not

I like it

now

covered,
disThis

believe it
I have

COMPLETE

THE

Yen.

But, master,

Pisc.

Yes, and

do not

ANGLER.

trouts

hear and

smell

see

",

in the

us

too, both

lOX

night1

then

and

"

in the

day-time: for Gesner observes,the otter smells a fish forty

furlongsoff him in the water : and that it may be true,seems
to be affirmed by Sir Francis Bacon, in the eighthcentury of -fhis "Natural
History,"who there proves that water may be
of sounds,by demonstrating
the medium
it thus :
that if
stones togethervery deep under
the water,
two
you knock
"

those that stand

noise

without

offers the

on

any

bank

to

near

diminution

of it

that

by

placemay

the

water."

hear

the

He

also

like

anchor
an
experiment concerningthe letting
fall,by a very long cable or rope, on a rock,or the sand
within
the sea.
And
this being so well observed and demonstrated
is
that
it
learned man,
has made
to believe!
as
me
by
that eels unbed themselves
and stir at the noise of thunder;!
and not only,as some
of the
think,by the motion or stirring
which
is
occasioned
thunder.
that
earth,
by
this reason
And
of Sir Francis
Bacon, Exper. 792, has
made
me
crave
pardonof one that I laughed at,for affirming
that he knew

to

come

carps

certain

placein

pond,to

be

fed,at the ringingof a bell,or the beatingof a drum ; and

however, it shall be a rule for me to make as littlenoise as
I

when

can

which

That

dam

am

until
fishing,

I shall

give any

fish hear, is confirmed

it, and adds, that

asserts

that

purpose."

See

Swammerdam

by
"

Sir Francis

authority of

they have
on

be

futed,
con-

leave to do.*

man

the

Bacon

late writers.

wonderful

Swammer-

labyrinth of the

ear

for

Insects,edit. London,

A
1758, p. 50.
that at the Abbey of St. Bernard, near

friend of mine, assures

me,
at the whistlingof the feeder."
H.
Antwerp, he saw
carp come
[With respect to the organs of hearing, and the power of hearing in fish,I
consulted
Mr. Erasmus
anatomists
and physiologists
Wilson, one of the most eminent
There
is nothing in
now
alive,and the followingis his opinion :

clergyman, a

"

"

In.
that it is provided with
an
ear.
internal
the
consists
of
mechanical
of
an
higher animals,
hearing
apparatus
and an
external
portion : in fishes,the internal portion alone exists, and is
the exterior

head

of the fish to indicate

the

hardly inferior in perfection of form and structure, to that of creatures placed

of hearing
to the organs
The nerves
distributed
higher in the animal scale.
the
of large size,and the vital apparatus, or portion of brain, from which
are
ference
former
There
proceed, is considerable.
exists, however, this important difbetween
and fishes,viz.,that
the organ of hearing of terrestrial animals
tions
delicate vibrain the fonner
is organized for the reception of the more
of the atmosphere, while in the latter it is adapted to the rude oscillations
of a denser element.
We
make
this difference apparent by the following
may
The impulse occasioned
to the air by the ticking of a watch
simple illustration.
is brought close to the
is so weak, as to be indistinctly
the watch
heard when

the

ear

and press
but if we convey
the watch
to a greater distance from the ear
In the
distinctness.
it against the teeth, we
hear the ticking with remarkable
with
greaterintensitythan
language of science, solid and dense bodies vibrate
ear

102

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

lest you may think him singular

in his opinion,
I will
tell you, this seems
to be believed by our
learned Dr. Hake-

And,

will,who, in his '^Apologyof God's Power and Providence,"

fol. 360, quotes Plinyto report that one
of the emperors had
and
particular
fish-ponds,
and

came

when

and

St. James

they

in them

several

called

their

were

by

fish that

appeared
names
:
particular

have

tells us, chap.iii.7, that all thingsin the sea

been tamed
And
by mankind.
Plinytells us, lib.ix. 35,

that

Antonia, the wife of Darsus,had

she himg jewelsor ear-rings;

and
gills
so

tender-hearted

they have kept

will to

and

hearers

most

confirmation
thus

to shed

as

from

that others have

been

at the death of fishes which

tears

loved.

whose

lamprey,at

Arid

these

which
observations,

to have a
wonderful,seem
Martial,lib. iv. Ejjigr.
30, who
seem

further
writes

Piscator,
fuge;
wouldst

Angler !

thou

be

ne

etc.

nocens,

? then
guiltless

forbear ;
For these are sacred fishes that swim here,
Who know
and will lick his hand ;
their sovereign,
Than which none's greater in the world's command

Nay

they'venames,

more,

and,

Do to their several owners' call

All the further

anglersto be

patientand

and

fish.

catch

And

no

I shall

so

the

the next, and

that year in which
sucli

atmosphere

ear

by the

are

the conductors.

and

is

of

rod

"When

the

kind

; when

of wood,

apparatus

water,

it is

certain,that

are
Herefordshire,

the

watch

the watch

is held

is connected

nigh

to the

with

the
the solid parts of the head, these
of hearing of the fish presents conductors
or

denser

body

than

air, is the

conducting

of the head, and, in fact,of the entire body, complete

to the vital apparatus.
trivance
conHence, in fishes,an humble
mass

the
capable of effecting

of terrestrial animals.

in

town

atmosphere.

Now

the solid

the conduction

to tell you,

sheep that

is the conductor

intervention

of the latter
medium

the

as

be,to advise

fat
more
graze upon them
also to bear finer wool ; that is to say that
they feed in such a particular
pasture,they

than

ear, the

of this shall

swearing,lest theybe heard,

Leominster, a

to make

lightermedia,

forbear

proceednext

certain fields near

observed

they called are,

repair.

that I shall make

use

when

As

end

same

fishes thus

as

the

higher-toned instruments

evidently possess the organ

of hearing in

moderate

acutedegree of perfection,they must therefore hear with moderate

such sounds
occasion
as
of the element
a vibration
in which
ness, particularly
they reside ; for example, an approcahing footstep; while the sounds which
instruments, being less easily conveyed, are
proceed from musical
probably
a

unknown

with regard to tone."

: certainly this is the
case
We
stantly
conof fish coming to be fed at the sound
of the bell.
rather
They
to the sound
come
of the bell-ringer's
feet,that is to the vibration caused by his
and so indicatinghis presence.
foot-fall,
Ed.
to them

hear

"

THE

COMPLETE

than

shall

yieldfiner

wool

came

to feed in

it, and

their

the

may

you

in

trout

that

I tell you, that

certain,if I catch

am

he shall be white

meadow

lousy;

Which

ground.

believe

better

one

lil^eto be

coarser

fine-wool

the

in

beingfed

they did that year before they

again if they shall return to
to
finer wool,
a
again return

pasture; and

former

and

if
certainly,

as

108

ANGLER.

and

faint,and very

I catch

in the

trout

shall be

meadow, he

and
strong,and red, and lusty,
Trust me, scholar,
I have caughtmany a
much
better meat.
trout in a particular
meadow, that the very shape and the
enamelled
colour of him hath been such,as have joyed me
to
next

look

on

with

Solomon,

him

favour

your

like

so

much

concluded
pleasure
in his season."

"

little of the umber

say

salmon

I will

; but

which
grayling,

or

for his

that I desire I
shape and feeding,
patiencewith a short discourse of him, and

trout

then with

Everythingis beautiful
by promisespeak next of the

I should

by

I have

and

exercise your
the next shall be of the salmon.

[Remaeks,

TorcHiNG

etc.,

Teout.

THE

may
then

dedicated

has

Walton

"

is

and dialogue,
portionsof the Third and Fourth Day's fishing
embracing
to that interesting
To be sure
fish the Trout.
two very long chapters,
the chaptersare interspersed
and
with songs, conviviality,
conversation
of
besides fish. This good father
on
us
anglersknew well
many subjects
how
he

to catch
not

was

the

it,was

with

trout

begin with
which

I at

or

will

Walton

appear

ought to have
species. My love

but

certainly

the artificialflyor
that

ning
by spin-

knowledge of the
methods
of breeding

his

of the

historyof

Cotton

confined

the fish,and
to thousands.

heterodox

differingin

and

May-fly;

profound.

the natural

varieties of that fish

As

fish with

all think

not
historyof salmon, but certainly

habits.

live

the trout,of its habits,and

either accurate

that

with

or

worm,

do

Nor

minnow.

I shall

adept at takingthat

of
history

natural

state

an

We

know

the

of

trout,because there are so many

size,colour, shape,and
appearance,

only of

treat

myself to

for the art I have

probably

most

so

the

avoided

fish,and

that

trout,perhaps

common

the

long possessedpreventsme.

other
To

begin:"
The

common

trout

is the

salmofario of

On

Linna"us.

it has red spots,its tail is much

forked when
forked at all when
the fish is in full season,

out
at

of condition,and
the

end of June.

yellowishabout the belly,darkish on the back, and in

the sides has deep purple and pink spots. The head
blunter

than that

of the

male, which,

if he

is

an

its lateral line

hardly
It ia

the upper part of

is
of the female

old fish,has the lower

The rays of the dorsal fin are

elongated than the upper.
thirteen,pectoralthirteen,ventral nine, anal nine, and caudal or tail
fail to recognise
can
one
no
twenty-five.Guided by this description,
He is not always of the colour
utter one
caution.
the trout.
Let me

jaw

more

104

THE

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

be sought for in the rays of his

the
of
of the
seen
species,
very same
nay, probably,
in colour; some
much
dark, some
brood, differing
bright,and
of
In
Colour
water.
depends on depth
deep and shaded
yellow.

described,and the best signalementmust

tins.

I have

same
some

trout

waters, yellow and

dark-coloured

trout

of
The chemical properties

brightones.

will be found ; in shallow waters,

lightare the cause. The sun's rays

penetrateand oxygenate the shallow exposed streams,and hence

brightnessof the fish resident there.
Light is wanting in the deep

the

can

waters, and hence

shaded

the

The

generalhabits of the

food

are

in

darkness
trout

common

colour

the

well

are

of its denizens.
known.

enough

Its

On
etc.
small fish,larvse,grubs,caterpillars,
flies,
best,next on fish,and worst of all on worms.
Very

flies

worms,

it thrives

fish-food.

It breeds

in

November, rarely earlier,but

sometimes

later.

fish thrive best

on

What

season

of Scotland.

They

the smallest rivulets.

in the sand and

and

is called the
and

season

"

breed

large

September, October,

dependsupon temperature upon

throng''
breeding
locality.The trout of England breed earlier than those of
"

the

North

in the shallows at the heads

Male

and female

gravela bed,

or

assist each

of rivers,and in
other in excavating

nest for their spawn.

The

female

first

them, and
eggs, and then the male sheds his milt over
with
and
sand
The
fish
then
them.
covers
over
gravel
impregnates

depositsher
to

and

ova, or

the

and impregnated ova.

In
deposited
but
incubation
perfect
they are hatched,
not

in

size,though of the

extremelydifficultto
the

It

ascertained.
precisely

much

(many will think

and

common

I have

may,

an
average,
cold climate,or in a

me

is not

do

growth

of trout is

They difterso

so.

different rivers,that it is
I should say that
Guessing,

in
species,

same
an

to
possible

average.

one
pound in two years. I
averages about
mad for doing so)that the sea-trout,
the bulltrout,

other varieties,
of ancient date between the
crosses
are
many
trout and the i)ure salmon.
I think also,that these crosses

if I
inter-generate,

trout.

strike

river trout

common

think

on
fifty
daj^s,

in

winter, requirethirtydays longer. The

severe

very

about

Of

the word, and hence a vast varietyof riverbred in lakes not connected with salmon
rivers,
lake-trout,
may

little to say.

use

Every such

lake has

its

particulartrout; some
well-flavoured,
ugly, some

small, some
handsome, some
large,some
allwhich conditions are the results of the volume and
ill-flavoured,
and quality
of the food
depth of water, its temperature,and the quantity

some

it affords.

It

is

only in very large lakes that the immense

grey lakeIn my
remarks on the salmon,at the
trout, or
ferox, is found.
end of the seventh chapter,I'll show
how trout and that fish are bred
artificially.
but put
If I fished for trout with the worm,
I should never
a float,
use
a few shot on
or
diminishingthe number according
my line,increasing
of the current.
I should have a swivel on
to the strengthor weakness
about two feet from the hook, and I should fish close to
the gut foot-line,
the worm
to move
the bottom, allowing
with the current
on
more
slowly,
it
is
where
the hook
than the stream
on
rapid. Two middle-sized worms
time are better than one, and the best worms
at tlie same
are
brandlings
salmo

"

and

blue-heads.

The

most

deadly way

of

fishingfor

trout

is

by

COMPLETE

THE

spinningthe
and

even

minnow

for

moderatelysized fish,and the gudgeon,dace,

for largetrout.
A very largefish of that species,

small trout

105

ANGLER.

great grey lake trout, will take a common

tront,weighing
A
half or three-quarters
of a pound.
Thames
trout, of the weight
of twelve
bait
the largestgudgeon,or even
a
pounds,will take as a
dace, four inches in length. It is a general rule,that largebaits are
the best for large fish ; they will not trouble themselves
about small
such

the

as

The best

ones.

these

remarks]:

consists
minnow-flight

treble hooks, a

liphook, two

one

fish bait,a littlebelow

the vent,

of eleven hooks

treble hook

[seecut

singlehook

to pass

at end

to curb the

or
fly^'

"

of

free beyond

the tail. In the London

fishing-tackle
shopsevery sort of spinning
tackle is sold,but I conscientiously
believe the above "fiight^^
is the best.
It must
be firmly
tied on gut for small fish,
on
gimp for large ones.
There

be

must

two
gimp-trace,

twelve
Its

feet

inches from
than

more

swivel close to the

The

higher up.

trace

another

should

on

the

shotted

be

gut,or

at about

to be
lip-hook. The spinning rod need never
and
stiff
it
should
be
rather
than
length,
pliant.
largeand stand upright. It should be made of the

the

feet in

twelve

ringsshould

and
lip-hook,

be

butt, ash, or willow, second joint

woods, and be of four joints,
following
and bamboo-cane.
The
small piece ditto,and top lance wood
hickory,
line should be stout,and of platted silk,and it should be oiled or varnished.
The tyro must
The winch should be large,and of free action.
cast the

and
spinning-bait

the winch
feet.

Let

line

much

as

the bait

as

hang

it

work

through the

givento

uncoil from

is wanted, allowing the coils to rest at your

than a yard from the top of the rod,
more

upwards

bait somewhat

momentum

thus

not

rod either to the left or

then,poisingand bringingback the

the

water

and

it,will carry

forwards;

its

propel
right,
the
and
weight,

out all the coiled line.

drawing

bait falls in the water, commence

of the line either with the

and

right

or

left

it towards

you

As

soon

by

short

as

the

pulls

hand, making the bait spin

the bait is drawn

speed. When
you with moderate
he must lift it out of the water, and repeat the
in close to the fisher,
strike
is called a " run," the angler must
there is what
cast.
Wlien

towards
straightly

play the hooked fish boldly. Repeat castinguntil the

to another
stream
spot. All
or
pool is fished all over, and then move
is a
There
of bright wire.
hooks used in spinning should be made
I
spinning flightcalled Colonel Hawker's, sold in all the shops,which^

and
shai-ply,

consider
minnows

very
are

very easy to bait with it.

be
to be bought,ready mounted, and they must

good ;

it is not

but

Spinning answers

described.

in the way I have

been recentlydiscoloured
The

Thames

punt-men

spinningin the world.

"

are

best

in water

Artificial
used

just

that

has

by rain,and is useless in clear shallow water.

and teachers of the art of
the best masters

Ed.]

FLIGHT

OF

H0OK3.

106

CHAPTER
OBSEEVATIONS

ON

OR

UMBER

THE

FISH

TO

VI.
AND

GRAYLING,
FOR

DIRECTIONS

HOW

HIM.

Ban.]
Lfouvtf)

as

in

and

are
grayling
thoughtby some to differ,
But though they may do so
do.
the herringand pilchard
other nations,I think those in England differ in nothingbut

Pisc. Tlie umber

their

Aldrovandus

names.

says

they be

says, that in his country,which

accounted the choicest of all fish. And
Gesner

month

of

May

un

valier

,
"

highlyvalued,that

kind ; and
is in Switzerland,
he is
in

he
Italy,

he

trout

is in the

is sold at

much

any other fish. The French,which call the

umhle diecall the umber of the lake Leman
un
vilain,

higherrate
chub

so

of

and

than

they value

the umber

or

that
graylingso highly,

have been
they say he feeds on gold,and say that many
caught out of their famous river Loire,out of whose bellies
And
think that
some
grainsof goldhave been often taken.
he feeds on water-thyme,and smells of it at his first taking
out of the water ; and they may think so with as good reason
smelts smell like violets at their first being
do that our
as
we

caught,which I think is a truth. Aldrovandus

says, the
and trout,and all fish that live in clear
salmon, the grayling,
and ^harp streams, are made by their mother nature
of such
exact

shape and pleasantcolours purposelyto

joy and contentedness

in

with her.
feasting

invite

Whether

us

to

this is a

it is not my purpose to dispute

: but 't is certain,
declare him
to be very medicinall that write of the umber

truth

able.

or

not

And

Gesner

ling,
Grayor
says, that the fat of an umber
beingset,with a littlehoney, a day or two in the sun,

THE

in

COMPLETE

littleglass,
is very excellent

ness,

107

ANGLER.

againstredness^or

swarthi-

anythingthat

or

breeds in the eyes.

Salvian takes him.
from his swift swimming, or glidingout

to be called umber

of

like a shadow
or
a
sightmore
ghost than a iish. Much
more
might be said both of his smell and taste : but I shall
onlytell you, that St. Ambrose, the glorious
bishopof Milan,
who lived when the church kept fastingdays,calls him the

Hower-fish,
or
with
of

him

flower of fishes

that he w^ould not

long discourse ; but

take this daintyfish.

to

and

that he

let him

was

the honour

pass without

must, and

to tell you

on

pass

far in love

so

how

First,
note, that

he grows not to the bignessof a trout; for

the biggest
of them
do not usuallyexceed eighteen
inches.
He lives in such rivers as the trout does,and is usually
taken
with the

baits

same

for he \villbite both

he bites not
the

often

and
fly,

much

for he will rise

the trout

as

manner
is,and after the same
;
or
minnow, or worm,
fly; though
the minnow, and is very gamesome
at

at the

at

and
simpler,

twenty times

therefore bolder than

at

fly,if

him, and

miss

you

trout ;

rise

yet

again. He has been taken with a flymade of the red

a parakita,
a strange outlandish
bird; and he will
unlike a gnat or a small moth, or indeed at
a flynot

feathers of
rise at

fliesthat

most

all

in

winter,but

May,

and

are

big. He is a fish that lurks close

and jolly
and
after mid- April,
pleasant

not

too

is very

in the hot months

he

is of

very fine shape,

that he has,are

his flesh is white ; his teeth,those little ones

in his throat,yet he has so tender a mouth, that he is oftener
lost after an
angler has hooked him, than any other fish.

Though
Dove
runs
nor

there

and

be

Trent,and

fishes in the delicate river

of these

many

other small

some

by Salisbury,*
yet he
to me
so
good to eat

is not
or

generala

so

take my leave of him ; and now

come
the salmon,and how to catch him.
*

now

Not

of these

one

rivers is small.

produces very few grayling. The

rendered

so

its

by

abounding

in trout

Dove

beauty of its scenery ; and by the fact,that

part of the '* Complete Angler," resided on
how
grayling and trout are to be caught
experience hardly went
beyond the Dove
Derbyshire. Such experience was
amply
in
fly-fish
anywhere. The
and

no

less

so

the

limpid waters

Lathkil,

for the

to

Tlie Trent
and

fish

is

is the

the trout,
I shall
so

observations of

some

as

And

angle for.

to

that which

rivers,as

large navigable one.

river of

classic

grayling, and

It

fly-fishers,

by the extraordinary

Cotton, author of the second

taught
its br.nks, described it,and
in it. In truth, Cotton's fly-fishing
Charles

and

the

neighbouring

streams

of

fully
sufficient,for he who could successof those rivers, need not hesitate to wet a fly

little brook

of

of catching
difficulty

Derbyshire,is famous
them

with

fly. Ed.
"

for its trout

108

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER.

GEAYLixa.
the
[Remarks TorcHiNG
shapedof our river
gracefully

but the

graylingis

opinion this

my
The

nsh.

former

prettier. The

In

"

of the most

trout is handsomer,

is of Herculean

graylingis spangledwith
not

show much

it is

and

silver

I say (ina Handbook

mine,'*''

of

resisting
courage
fish but

purple.

It is

Angling)
after havingtaken
"takes

"

the

beauty;

latter possesses that of Apollo,delicate,light,gracefullyactive.

trout is rather of golden hue, studded with brightpink ornaments
"

is one

The
the

favourite fish of

does

but
flyboldly,

been hooked:

it and

The

graylingvery rarely
game
are
weight,and a far greater number
caught
under twelve ounces
than
above
not
it.
like
the
are
trout,
weight
They
account
of their being
to this country; and very probably,
on
indigenous
in season
in the winter,when trout are not, and being an excellent gastronomic
substitute for that fish;they were
brought from the continent
to this countryby the monks, that those Sybarites
might not be without
a fresh water
during the most festive periodof the year." It
delicacy
has been remarked, in proof of this,that they are
found
in rivers on
gamesome
exceeds three pounds in

not

whose

and

banks

monasteries

one.

convents

abounded.

once

Ireland

and

monasteries
Scotland

Scotland,and
once

and

of location
peculiarities
character

they are

of

of these

attended

our

on

island.

they have been

its

Though

been

he

certain

those

in

the

in

circumstances
with

sources:

attempted to

or two
tions,
excepsouthern and

one

the

the abstraction

of

be

has

naturalized

not

been

Warburton, formerlymember
graylinginto the upper parts of

Mr.

introduce

carried

found

of these fish in several

multiplication

(I recollect

success.

Bridport,attempting to

the Thames.

the

and lakes of

"

belong to
probablyowing to

It is

is

England. Though

the banks

in rivers which

that
requisites,

with

of

rule

rivers of

grayhng requireother
temperature,such as a general

they inhabit,and

only found

parts of

rivers where
for

besides those

of the water

western

of those

great numbers

of its compositionderived from

nature

some

few

Ireland,still graylinghave never

truth is,as Mr. Blaine remarks,

The

waters.

in very

flourished in

The
of the

in any

for the fish is not found

exceedingly
exceptional,

largenumber

of store

fish of that

be

placedin the river,theynever bred,and have long since totally

in others,they remained,
disappeared.)In some they soon disappeared;
but never
thrived ; while in some
waters, though they lived and at first
afterwards observed to shift their quartersto
increased,yet they were
difierent partsof the same
river,in most of which cases it proved,as in
that which occurred in the Test in Hampshire, that they migratedfrom
above downwards, probablyin search of deep and tranquilwaters ; for
the anglercannot fail to observe that graylingdo not, like trout,affect
the contrary,they
on
very rapid shallows, and the boldest torrents
sive
to thrive best where milder currents alternate with deep and extenseem
do
do
neither
well
where
or
they
pools;
strong gravel
pure rock

to
species

characterise

the

ground

which

and

over

loam

of the

which

for it appears
should be
swim,
they

bottoms;
mixture

insect food

found

smaU

on

is,as

we

which

graylingon

them, that the

compounded of sand, gravel,
necessary

to

know, very favourable

to the

subsist."
they principally

rapid shallows,but

never

tion
produc-

I have

quently
fre-

largeones.

THE

exceptin

the

109

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

The

of

haunts

large graylingare the

or pools,
a few yards
slowlyrunning
deep
before the formation of the rapid heads of other pools.
from a general
is scientifically
termed salmo tliymallus,
The grayling
belief that it emits a smell similar to that of thyme. In my opinion,
as

spawning season.

tails of streams

and

somewhat

of others,it faintly
smells of cucumber.
Dr. Fleming
(Brit.
Animal.)calls this fish the grey salmon, and describes it as having
well

in that

as

"

gray -lines

"

name

dorsal fin barred

(some consider

lines

dusky blue
longitudinal

abbreviated

with brown

into

"

them

hence its
grey, and
grayling") and violet-coloured

lengthfrom

eighteeninches

ten to

head

obtuse,and the upper jaw longest. The rays of its dorsal fin are eighteen,
Its dorsal fm is
pectoraltwelve, ventral eleven,and caudal nineteen.

enablingit to
remarkablylarge,

rise to the surface of the water

and

sink

again with very greatrapidity. It never

jumps out of the water like
artificial
the trout ; and is incapableof surmountingeither natural
or
obstructions
immense

the water, such as cascades or weirs.

By strikingits
it
fin downwards
the
raises
itself rapidly
water,
against

in

dorsal

fin upwards againstthe superinthe same

surface,and by striking
cumbent
itselfto descend with stone-like velocity.
The
element, it causes
are the best rivers).
graylingrivers are the Dove, Teme, Lug, Test (these
in
both
Herefordshire
and
Severn,
Trent, Irvon,
Wye,
Derbyshire,
cester,
Hidder, Wharf and Avon in Hampshire. Mr. Henry George,of Worthat
of
in
the
finest
the
it
Teme,
produces
land.
grayling Engsays
He
in the heightof condition,in
states,"a Teme
grayling,
October or November, when first taken out of the water, is one
of the

to the

handsomest

and

symmetricalfish that

most

rise at the

flyin

our

beautiful

if laid upon the hand, and looked at horizontally,

presents
beautiful purple or violet hue from snout to tail. The snout is

; and

streams

the most

sharp,and
back

is of

The

under

the

-shaped;
lozenge

eyes

this fish is

hog-backed,and

the

purple colour,with small dark square spotson the sides.

jaw and bellytouch the ground togetherj
the latter is brilliantly
white, with a narrow
ledge or lacing of gold,
each
side,from the pectoraltowards the ventral fin ;
extendingalong
and the tail,and pectoraland ventral fins are
of a beautiful purple.
The dorsal fin is very large,
covered with scarlet
and a beautiful picture,
and
with purple. The littlevelvet [adipose]
waves
spots intermingled
fin on the back near
and the fish smells like
the tail,is also dark pui'ple,
a

dark

part of the lower

cucumber."
The

grayling is

native

Switzerland, Bavaria, the

earlyin May,
The

months.

and

Tyrol,the

finest

northern

if the
particularly

will take

in

season

months,

small

dark

in clear

dun

in the

flies from

be

small
artificialant-flies,

brown

and

not

frostyweather, when

gentlyshining.
gentles. In the autumn
sun

furnace

In

in

April
tember.
fullyso until Sepwinter and earlyspring
It spawns

states.

July,but

graylingare caught

In the winter

is low, they will take

they

is in

rivers of France, of
and
of
rivers of Italy,

north-eastern

of the smaller rivers of the German

many

and

of the

eleven

deep

months

to two

the water

o'clock,

water

at this

they

will take

season

small

hackles,the soldier palmer,

and the coch-y-bondhu

; also wasp-grubs,and

the green

grubs that

are

IJO
found

artificialgrasshopperis an

cabbage-leaves.The

on

for them

it must

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

be sunk

to the bottom

and

drawn

excellent bait
and

up

down

tinually.
con-

gentlesor grubs are used, the sinkingand drawing

must
to.
Sir Humphry Davy {videSalmonia)underbe
resorted
stood
system
graylingfishingwell,and practisedit with great ardour in this
of his remarks on the subject
country and in Germany. I will quote some
lies deeper,and is not so shy a fish as the trout ;
The grayling
:
and, providedyour link [gut castingline]is fine,is not apt to be scared
When

"

by

fineness of the link,and of the

attached,is a most essential point,and the

the water.

the cast of flies on

flies

The

to which your
are
clearer the stream the finer should

gut

be the tackle.

I have

known

good
ordinary thickness,though their flies
of the rightsize and colour.
were
Very slender transparentgut, of the
colour of the water, is one
of the most
of success
in
important causes
all
for
He
is
fished
for
he
to
at
be
is
times,
rarelyso
graylingfishing.
fishermen

foiled

much

out of

water

he will

as

by using gut

as

season

to be

of

spring and

winter and autumnal

fish.

there

flieson

are

the

the trout may be considered

graylingmay be considered as a

but

fish,so the

summer

when

bad fish ; and

take them
generally

Graylingdo

as

not refuse

largeflies, [InMarch

the March-brown, the oak-fly,

the silver
April I use these flies,
the
dressed
and
dun
sand
and
No. 9
on
palmer,
cow-dung-fly
-fly,
honey
hooks]; and in the Avon and Test in Hampshire, May-fliesand even
taken in the summer
moths, are greedily
by largegrayling. There is no
method
more
killingfor largegraylingthan applyinga grasshopper
to the pointof a leaded hook, the lead and shank of which are covered
with green and yellowsilk,to imitate the body of the insect : this mode
is called sinking and drawing. I have seen
it practisedin
of fishing
and the fish taken
this river with as much
as
success
maggot fishing,
all
most
successful in deep
of the largest
size ; the method
were
being
which are the natural haunts of
holes,where the bottom was not visible,
and

such fish.

In the winter

weather

warm
tolerably

black

graylingrise for

worms,

which

cockchafers,kill well
duns

the

near

and

are

; and
In
water.

the red and

brightand

at

palegnats that can

In July,imitations
taking them.
I believe

in

two

or

imitations of
this time, the smallest
sized
smallest
be made, on the
hook, succeed

and

best in

or

hour

an

taken
in

of the

black

for

or

there

dark weather

ant-fly,

or

and

In this

month,

palmer

on

flyand

are

of
great quantities

after
killing

red

red beetles

or

usually
very light

are

taken,

are

floods in autumn, when

the river.
and washed down

and

of the house

August, imitations

black

black

brown

bottle,
blue-

particularly

the

flyare

stroyed
de-

cloudydays,pale

in September.
ofben appear, and they are still more
common
and autumn, in fine calm evenings,a largedun
Throughoutthe summer

blue duns

paleyellowbody,is greedilytaken by graylingafter sunset,

of October, and
and the imitation of it is very killing.In the end
but
in
middle
of the day,
the
throughNovember, there is no fly-fishing
flywith

when

imitations

I have

often

success

in

severe

seen

of the smaller duns may be used with great success;

the fish sportmost, and fly-fishing
pursued with

brightsunshine,from

frosts in the

morning

twelve
and

till

even

half-pasttwo

caught,under

and

great

o'clock,after
these circum-

COMPLETE

THE

the 7th November,

stances,a ver}^ fine dish of fish on

of 1838

was

severe

very

the ground,but

one

with

upon
low and

Ill

ANGLER.

in

1816."

February of that

the weather

frostyand

The winter

year, with

clear,and

snow

the

water

bright,I caught graylingin the Dove with very small dun

The best summer
hackles.
flyfor grayling,on dark days,and morning
in note' to p. 91),which 1 have
and
the
is
(described
evenings,
fern-fly
with very great success.
In a list of fliesto be given
used in the Dove
hereafter in chaptersvii. and viii. of part ii. of this work, I shall point
out some
eagerlytaken by grayling. Ed.]
"

CHAPTER
ON

OBSERVATIONS

THE

VII.

SxiLMON

; WITH

FOR

salmon

The

Pisc.
fish j and

is

far from

high or

He

ishness.
hole

or

in

grave

place their

eggs
and
office,

natural

of

month

rivers,in the

dig a

in rivers

the

August

tincture

TO

FISH

some

of ft^esh-water
the

sea,

of salt

or

yet

so

brack-

his spawn,
in most
say, that then they

cast

place in

safe

king

relatingto

it,as admits of no
said to breed, or

is

HOW

HIM.

is accounted

bred

ever

DIRECTIONS

the

and
gravel,

there

after the melter has done

spawn,
then hide it most
and cover
cunningly,

or

his
it

gravel and

stones,* and then leave it to that

Creator s protection,
who, by a gentleheat which He infuses
it brood and begetlife in the
into that cold element, makes
"with

over

and

spawn,

become

to

samlets

earlyin

the

lowing.
fol-

springnext

+
salmons

The

See

bed."

havingspent their appointedtime, and

observations

at the

end

of the

chapter on

the formation

of the salmon-

Ed.

thousand
in many
not one
spa^vned in August, which
t If salmon
November.
in
salmon
would be young
(salmon-fry) in December, nay
ova

are

incubated

in about

hatched
November

probably by the

very
would

would
I)eriods
remarks

on

not

make

and
on

on

the

average
100
winter in about
of
the temperature

impregnated
1st of

be incubated
the difference.

the natural

this chapter." Ed.

days

120

140
days ; in those of autumn
depends
the incubating time
deposited and
Salmon
spawn

to

done

historyand

"

on

November,

before

March.

I entreat

in the winter

does, there
Salmon
months

in

days. The duration of

atmosphere and water.
be
the 1st of August, would
deposited in
whereas
spawn
The temperature at the two

the reader

to

study carefullythe
I shall append

habits of the salmon, which

112

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER.

the fresh waters,

before winter,both the melter and

this natural

duty in

they then

haste to the

spawn er : but if they

weirs or lost in the fresh waters,
be stoppedby flood-gates
or
then those so left behind by degreesgrow sick,and lean,and
sea

unseasonable,and kipper; that is to say, have bony gristles

out
of their lower
chaps,not unlike a hawk's beak,
grow
left
which hinders their feeding
so
; and in time, such fish,
behind,pine away and die. It is observed,that he may live
thus

the
year from
and loses both
tasteless,

sea

one

; but

he then

his blood

and

insipidand
and pines
strength,
grows

it is noted, that those little

And
year.
which abound in many
rivers relating
salmons called skeggers,
bred by such sick salmons that might not go
to the sea, are

and

dies the second

the

to

; and

sea

that

though they abound, yet they never

bigness.
gets to the sea, then that gristle,

thrive to any considerable

But if the old salmon
which

away, or is cast off,as

the eagleis said to cast his bill ; and he recovers
his strength,
it
and comes
be possible,
next
to the same
summer
river,if
shows

him

enjoy the

to

one

"as

honour

to be

kipper,wears

that
pleasures

former

there

has

wittilyobserved, he has, like

and

riches,which

have both

hath

above

observed

years.
does grow

salmon

it is

And

ten

his

in

This

paragraph,

and
is

the

not,

for,
of

persons
and summer
salt water

for

Sir Francis

as

History of Life and Death,"

that though the
to be observed,
''

yet he grows not fat but in

is observed,that the farther they get
the sea,

big in

fresh rivers ; and it

from the sea, they be both

some

their winter

houses,the fresh rivers for summer,

winter, to spend his life in ; which
Bacon

him
possessed

the fatter and

better.''*"

precedes it,teems with palpable ignorance.

to sea
vered
immediately they have recospawning. It is,therefore,in the
before winter," that they
not
Walton
as
says,
stances,
Their
remaining for a year, under any circumThe gristle,
occurs.
adult,never
they have become
in male
is only found
salmon, generally about

tvith the

one

that

Salmon, having spawned, proceed

from the exhaustion
consequent on
and
spring,before summer,
generallymigrate sea-ward.
in fresh

water, after

*'

crook-shaped excrescence,
weeks
spawning time, and some
or

afterwards, and disappears as the fish gets into

The
of this
use
condition, to re-appear again the following breeding season.
not
the
known.
is
accurately
one-year-old
excrescence
Skeggers are smolts,

produce
except
'"

called

Salmon
healthy,and not of sick salmons."
the periods of spawning and
going to
not
and
A
means
kippers."
kelts,"
kipper" now

salt, sugar,
grow

"

"

and

big and

water, but,
run"

"

of

between

salmon,

we

It is in the

drying.
fat."
the

on

"

After

one

not

in

They

sea.
a

salmon

are

then

cured

by

fresh water, that salmon

not increase in size in fresh

in

the first year, they do

in bulk.
When

contrary, diminish

mean

sea, and

be called sick,

cannot

we

say

good condition, bright and fat, and

"

clear fresh-

caught just

COMPLETE

THE

I shall tell you, that

Next
shift to

get out

make

harder

though they

make

very hard
yet they will
salt into the fresh

of the fresh rivers into the sea,

shift to

rivers,to spawn,
found

113.

ANGLER.

that they have formerly

possess the pleasures
which
to
end they will force them:
selves

or

in

of the

out

get

them

weirs or hedges,
or
over
throughflood-gates,
or stopsin
to a heightbeyond common
belief. Gesner
known
to be above eightfeet
placesas are
above
And
water.
Camden
our
high
mentions, in his

the water, even

speaksof such
"

Britannia,"the like wonder

the river

to be in

where
Pembrokeshire,

fallsinto the

right,
sea
Tivy
; and that the fall is so downand so high,that the peoplestand and wonder
at the
a
nd
which
the
salmon
to get
use
strength
they see
sleight
by
of the

into the said river ; and the manner

and
of the placeis so notable,that it is known, far,by the
out

of the

sea

height
name

"

Salmon-leap."Concerningwhich, take this also out

of Michael Drayton,*my honest old friend,
he tellsit you,.
as
in his

:"
Polyolbion

"

And when the salmon seeks a fresher stream to find,

"Which hither from the sea comes
yearlyby his kind ;
As he tow'rds season
grows, and stems the wat'rytract
Where Tivyfalling
down, makes a high cataract,
Forced by the rising
rocks that there her course
oppose,
As though within her bounds they meant
her to inclose ;

Here, when

the labouring
fish does at the foot arrive,
finds that by his strength
he does but vainlystrive,
His tail takes in his mouth,f and, bendinglike a bow,
That's to full compass drawn, alofthimself doth throw ;
And

from

the

on

its return

no

longer clear and

becomes

to

sea

its native

fresh-run,and

in

river.
two

or

In

few

three weeks

days afterwards, it
loses its fat

or

is

curd,

comparatively lean,

and
almost
black
and
the head, gill-covers
on
is the result of its sojourn in fresh water, in which
it no longer
finds that food on which
it thrived in its salt-water feeding-grounds. Ed.
*
An excellent poet, born in "Warwickshire, 1563.
his works is the
Among
back.

This

"

"'

Polyolbion,"a chorographical description of

Though this poem

castles, etc.,in this island.

much

valuable

more

lies buried

1C31, and
t This

by the learned

notes

of Mr.

the
has

rivers,mountains, forests,
great merit, it is rendered

Selden.

author

The

died

in

the poets in Westminster

H.
Abbey.
error
or
itself,
prevails to the present day. The salmon never
curves
It is by
for the purpose
of jumping from the water.
puts its tail in its mouth
of its fins,as explained in the observations
means
at the end of this chapter,
that it throws itself from the water.
It cannot
jump perpendicularlyto th3
among

height of eightfeet,but
jump six feet.

In shallow

"

may,

probably,if

water

not

there

be sufficient depth of water,

Its spring to surmount

half that distance.

weirs is not perpendicular

but, as
not an upright standing leap
a
running jump forwards, gradually attaining,in extreme instances,height of six feet. In subsequent remarks, the saltatoryprogress of the salmon
cascades
it were,

is

or

"

"

explained from

actual

observation.

Ed.

"

"^/
^

114

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLEE.

at his height,as doth

springing
That,bended end to end, and started
Then

littlewand
from man's hand,
a

Far oft itselfdoth cast ; so does the salmon vault

if at first he fail,
his second summersault
He instantlyessays ; and from his nimble ring,
leaves until himself he fling
Still yerking,never

And

Above

the

opposing stream

Drayton tellsyou

This Micliael

of this

summersault

leapor

of the salmon.
and

I shall tell you, that it is observed by Gesner

others,that there is no better salmon than in England ;

and

that

and

as

And

next

of our
northern
though some
largeas the river Thames, yet

have

counties
none

of

are

as

fat

lent
excel-

so

taste.*

told you that Sir Francis Bacon

observes,
the age of a salmon exceeds not ten years; so let me next tell
that after he
: it is said,
you, that his growth is very sudden
And

I have

as

be

gudgeon,to

to be

becomes

from

sea, he becomes

got into the

is

salmon, in

samlet

short

as

Much

goose.

not

time

so

as

of this has been

bigas a
gosling

observed

by

known
tape or thread,in the tail of
tying ribbon,or some
some
young salmons,which have been taken in weirs as they
a

towards

salt water, and then

againwith the known mark at the

swimmed

have

part of them
their return

at

after

months

Salmon

from

jt and
long

have

the

the

sea,

the like

since

which

is

the

place

usuallyabout

experimenthath

disappeared from

by taking
same

six

been tried upon

Thames.

Those

formerly

tell us, were

of such fine flavour as
fishermen
Thames
in it,the very
We
ten
t
o
a
from
six
shillings pound.
to fetch
fancy that the price
shillings
freshness
of
fish.
If Scotch
and
the
enhanced
the
Irish
or
rarity
was
by
old

caught

be

could

Salmon

brought

into the London

would

their flavour

market
of

equal those

Thames

the

on

or

day they

Severn

were

captured,
The

salmon.

of salmon
Ice
brought to Billingsgateare a week out of the water.
flavour
their
curd
and
but
It
is
are
still
difficult
them
fresh,
high
gone.
keeps
countries or rivers produce the best salmon
: some
prefer Dutch,
to decide which
They judge of it as it appears in the London
otliers Scotch or Irish salmon.

great mass

In

market.

our

opinion,Irish

carefully packed and

The

salmon

would

to London

forwarded

turn

as

out

the salmon

the

best, if it

from

were

as

other countries.

from the Tyne, Severn, and Hampshire, reach Lonthat come

don
orated
after they are captured ; and their condition,not ha\ing been deterimilion-coloured
by several days keeping in ice,their silverycoat and bright deep verthe best prices. In
flesh,attract the connoisseur, and secure
and
land,
Scotopinion,there are several small-sized salmon-rivers in Ireland
few

salmon

soon

our

from

which,

carriage, no
quality. Ed.

on

salmon

of the small

account
are

sent

to

number
that

London,

of
captured, or the expense
produce fish of the finest

"

t On

an

average,

salmon

return

from

sea

to their

months, rarely in a month, but very frequentlyin two.

Ed.
is rare ; one of six quite abnormal.
months
"

native
A

rivers

in three

sea-sojournof

four

COMPLETE

THE

115

ANGLER.

swallows, who have, after six months' absence,been

young
observed to return to the same
chimney,there to make their
and habitations for the

nests

: which
following

summer

has

inclined many
think,that every salmon usually*returns
river
in which
it was
to the same
bred,as young pigeons
to

taken out of the

And

observed to do.

yet to observe farther,that the he-salmon

are

you

dove-cote have also been

same

usuallybiggerthan
and

the spawner ; and that he is more

less able to endure a winter in the fresh water

is

yet she is,at that time

watery, and

as

And

rule without

lookingless kipperand better,

observe,that

to

are

so
exception,

an

this nation that have trouts

there

and

they be in season,
tillApril.
J But,my

where

as

there is

as

in

Camden

general

no

rivers in

few

some

are

salmons

it is certain there be in the river

as

kipper,
than she

bad meat.t

as

yet you

of

is

in

winter,
Monmouthshire,

season

in

Wye,
from
observes,

ber
Septem-

the observation of this and

scholar,
I must
in manners
other things,
omit, because they
many
of time, and
will prove too large for our
narrow
compass
therefore I shall next

fall upon

my

to fish for

directions how

this salmon.

that,first you shall observe,that usuallyhe stays

long in a place,as trouts will,but, as I said,covets still

And
not

for

the spring head ; and that he does not, as the

to go nearer
trout and many
lie near
the water-side,
other fish,
or bank, or
in the deep and broad parts of the
roots of trees,but swims
in
water,"and usually

Not

only

"

the

middle,and

usually,"but always, if not

t This

short paragraph is sadly erroneous.

large, or twice as small, as the male with

near

the

or

killed.

disabled
A

female

ground,and
"

salmon

Ed.
may

be

twice

the ing
spawnbed.
She is frequentlyobliged to mate with male fish of all sizes and ages,
If a male and female
salmon, the produce of the
nay, with small male trout.
ing-ground
feedto consort, after having been the same
time on the same
same
brood, were
as

at sea, the

the elfects of
a
*'

winter

female

spawning

in the fresh water

kelt" state, and is sooner

I I do not think there

would

any

Ed.
sea
voyage.
rivers in the empire which
"

in season
in winter."
But
non-migratory trout
are
majority of which are Welch, in which salmon
"

and

in Avinter

fresh-run

Very

spawners.

in what

January,
Scotland.
" The

"

salmon,

hundred

in Isovember

are

considered

may
the

"

there

are

the common,

have
a

few

rivers, the

in season, or at least clean

fish are
late
These
and December.
numbers
small
in
in
be taken,
very
of
Ireland
and
rivers
salmon
early"

Ed.

by the sides,and
some

"

early spawners

on

from
larger fisli. She suffers more
he is better, not " less,able to endure
from the
He more
promptly recovers

fitted for his

are

she consorts

be the

the male, and

than she is."

than

which

in

coming

for that

yards,or

the estuaries,seldom

up

more,

swims

in the

middle, but

that project,
he is caught in the stake-nets
In rivers his haunts
are
into the tidal waters.

reason

h2

116

that there you are to fish for

the trout is,with a worm,
as
with

penk, or
And

a
a

lob

to

usuallyat

and

twenty,
worms

if you
more

or

then

and

worm,

usuallyat

most

double

teen,
your time of eight into sixdays, it is still the better ; for the

clearer,tougher,and

still be

will

; and

longerupon your hook

longer by keeping them cool and
advise to put camphor into it.
continue

so

and
lively,

more

be

they may

kept

and

in fresh moss,

some

also,that many used to fish for a salmon with a ring

the top of their rod, throughwhich the line may
on
as
great a lengthas is needful when he is hooked.
about the middle of their
that end, some
use
a wheel

Note
of wire
to
to

rod, or

their hand

near

And

now

observed

is to be

better

by

of words.

largedemonstration

shall tell you

that which
may
been a-fishing
with old Oliver

I have

; which

them, than by

of

seeingone
secret

garden-worm,which should be well scoured,that is

before you fish
or
eightdays in moss
kept seven

or

say,
them

And

call

some

to

more

with

run

which

minnow,

observe,that he is very seldom observed

minnow, yet sometimes he will,and not usuallyat

fly; but

him, and that he is to be caught

fly.

are

you

to bite at

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

called

be

Henley, now

God, a noted fisher both for trout and salmon, and have
out
observed,that he would usuallytake three or four worms

with

various

sometimes

close by the banks,

in

eddy

an

little current, formed

or

in the

out ; sometimes
a little further
rocks or roots ; sometimes
tails
of
the
rapidly running
pools ; sometimes
the sides, of
in the

middle

of deep

or

shallow

In

currents.

middle,

at their head

line,in any

by
at

or

times
; some-

spot to which

diverges,thereby bringing some

the look out for it. Two
on
rocks, a yard or two
sort of food to the salmon
At the point of the
one.
form
an
or
a
will
angular
current,
wedge-like
apart,
its sides,salmon
whether
in
tlie
of
or
middle
the
river,
by
matter
no
wedge,
and
other food are
that
to
insects,
because
worms,
larva,
point
lie,
surely
by the two rocks.
washed, sucked in at the head of the triangularrapid formed
by a rock placed at a short distance from the bank,
If a sharp-run is caused
the bank, or at the
will lie close by the inside of the rock, or near
the salmon
in diiferent rivers, can
The precise lairs of salmon
only
tail of the sharp-run.
be known
by experience. Ko general rule respecting them will hold good. On
have
it were, on
a guide
a fisherman, born,
must
as
first fishing a river, you
the current

or

the chief

strengthof it,tends

or

"

called the best " salmon-casts."

are
you
much
will
waste
time, by fishing likely-looking
spots,
such a guide,you
Without
to you, are not
other unknown
or
cause
frequented by
some
but which, from
without
and
fishing them, unfavourable
spots
salmon
you will pass over,

its banks

"

and

he will

show

what

apparently,but

where

the pools immediately

rarely take the
very
the sake
To

of repose,

the non-local

and

salmon
above

lie,from
waterfalls,

or

salmon-fisher

also

cause

any
bait.
any other
disinclined to disturb

fly, or
are

some

difficult

unknown
"

They stop
it

even

to

you.

In

salmon-leap,"salmon
in

these

for the

sake

local guide is indispensable. Ed.

"

pools for
of food.

THE

of his

bag,and put

where

he would
before

more,

COMPLETE

them

into

would

little box

usuallylet them

he

117

ANGLER.

continue

bait his hook

in his
half

with

pocket,
hour

an

them.

or

I have

his reason, and he has replied

He did but pick
:
the best out to be in readiness againsthe baited his hook the

asked

"

him

time :" but he

next

myself,to

catch

has

been

observed,both

fish than

more

with him could

gone a-fishing
I have been told lately
by one

ever

and

that
friends,

any

other

and
has

salmons
do, and especially
of his most

intimate

and

he

put those worms,

anointed with a drop,or two or three,of the oil of ivywas
infusion ; and told,that by
or
berries,made by expression
the worms
remaining in that box an hour,or a like time,
secret

the

or

by others
body that

in which

box

of smell that was

a kind
irresistibly
they had incorporated
attractive,
enough to force any fish within the smell of them,
to bite.
This I heard not long since from a friend,but have
and refer my reader to
not tried it ; yet I grant it probable,

hear,and doubtless

may

certain Gesner
know
of

not

but

angling,or

fishes

where he proves
History,"
more
probablysmell : and

Sir Francis Bacon's "Natural

can

am

smell in the water, and 1

says the otter can
do so too ; it is left for a lover
that fish may
any that desires to improve that art,to try

this conclusion.*

I shall also

impart

the word

By

practicala
only writes
authors

by

conclusion," Walton

bottom-fisher
what

recommend

modern

"

artists.

he

had

to have

heard

perfumed

from

Very justlyin

our

same

"

means

faith in scented

baits,the

tried

(butnot
experiments

I will deliver in the

which
by myself),

other

two

words

that

experiment." He

baits.

was

Kespectiug them,
old

Although many
others.
of tliem is ridiculed and
use
opinion. Ed.
"

they
too
he

anglmg
exploded

118

THE

given

were

by

me,

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

excellent

an

and a very friend,in

angler,
too good to be told,but
was

writing:

he told

in

Take

lest it should
language,
the stinking
out
oil drawn

by

retort,mixed

a
"

oak

the latter

me

learned

anoint

bait

your

be made
of the

common.

polybodyof

the

turpentineand hive-honey,and

with

it will doubtless

therewith,and

draw

the

fish to it."
The

other is this

Sudani

halsamitm

inflicta
grandissimce
odoris
persi7nile,
albicantique
gelato,
hederce

Vulnera

"

oleo

longesuavissimi"

vero

It is

supremely sweet

and yet assafoetida may

fish,

to any

do the like.
But

in these

and
probable,
from

thingsI

have

had

have
from

very
in
"not
this

might here,before

skegger:

may
and

SAI.MON

I take

but these and

be fish of another
a

rivers

no

namely,

men,

affirmation of them
of

more

these,especially

place.

than
you, that there is more
tecon, and another called in
a

others,an

advantageous
j but

THE

chemical

some

Sir Georoje Hastinofs and

to be

great faith,yet grant it

no

FLY,

my

one
some

leave
sort

of them

salmon,tell

; as, namely,a

places samlet,or by some

a

others,which

kind,and

of the

difier as

I forbear
we

think,
as
pilcharddo, which,
in which they breed,and must
by me
are

know

to
a

different

name,

herring
as

the

be left to the

COMPLETE

THE

119

ANGLER.

of more
of men
and
leisure,
disquisitions
than I profess
myselfto have.*
And

I am
to
lastly,
patienceas to tell you,

borrow

much

so

the

that

of

trout

greaterabilities,

of your
or

promised
salmon, being in

have, at their first taking out of the water, which

their bodies adorned,the one with such
continues during life,
red spots,and the other with such black or blackish spots,as
season,

give
was

them

such

given to

never

patchesin
And

addition

an

which
the

on

[Remaeks
Beeeding

pridethemselves
both,and proceedto

in this age.
vations
obsersome

pike.

o:n"

of,

I think

artificial paint or

much

I shall leave them

so

beauty,as

the

by

woman

any

they so

of natural

Fishing

and

that the venerable

Nattjeal

the

and

poe,

venerated

imperfectly
acquaintedwith

Histoey,
Salmon.

the

father of

"

our

Habits,

Aetipicial

It is not at all surprising

art should have

historyand the

habits

been

of the

hut

salmo

of nearlyevery varietyof salmonidce (descendants

progenitor
of fortuitous alliances with the salmo
by means
salmon),
chiefly
since even
at the
it is not, I say, surprising,
farioyor pure river trout
of salmon, and not one
present day,not one in many thousand consumers
in many
it
hundred
with
the extraordinary
of
are
acquainted
captors
solar

the

of the

"

phases in

splendidfish. Of its general

puted
cognisant,
althoughmy opinionsare disaccurately
clever people,but I am
happy to know that all carefal
of all I know of
I shall give a rapidresume
with me.

the life of

habits I think

by many
observers agree
the fluvial monarch
called

this valuable

and

am

of the British Isles.

The

salmon

"

salmo

solar

"

is

by
silvery
grey spottedsalmon," with the jaws of the
fish incurvated ; by Linnaeus it is described with " rostro ultra in-

male

Shaw

the

"

the lower jaws),

feriorem maxillom prominente*' {^no\xt^vd]Qcim^\ie^OTi(i
and by Dr. Fleming it is described with upper jaw longest,
teeth on the
fin
dorsal
fourteen
ventral
lower;
ten, anal
rays, pectoral fourteen,
water
and caudal (ortail)
thirteen,
twenty-one rays. The salmon is a fresh-

fish,for
There

is

in fresh-water

it breeds,passes the whole

of the firstyear

fish in many
kind, which, though veryrivers,of the salmon
curious persons to be of the same
species; and this,I
some

small, is thought by
take

it, is the

skeggers, and

fish known

by the

last-springs.But

different

there

names

is another

of salmon-pink, shedders,
bling
resemfish,very much

small

found only in the

in shape and colour,called the gravel-last-spring,
river Wye and Severn ; which is,undoubtedly, a distinct species. These spawn
them
with
taken
I have
about the beginning of September : and in the Wye
calls
the
Walton
what
an
Perhaps this is
ant-flyas fast as I could throw.
these

tecon.

H.

"

are
salmon-fryof
All the fish named, except the gravel-last-spring,
is,
The
gravel-last-spring
twelve.
from
to
three or four months
ages,
rivers
the little trout
called a " parr." It is found in many

[Note."
diflerent
in all
besides

probabifity,
the Wye

skegger,etc., are
sea.

"

Ed.]

and

local

Severn.
names

Walton's
for young

"
be the parr.
Samlet,
tecon" may
salmon, before then- first migration to

120

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of its existence in it,and two-thirds,at least,of its after-life,

or
eight
out of every twelve.
months
It migratesto sea annually,
making its
at the age of twelve

firstvoyage
sometimes

months

or

thereabouts,never

before,but

repeatingit every year, and in some

returns
long as it lives. It invariably

littlelater,and

instances,twice a-year,
to breed

permitting
"

as

in the

rivers in which

it has been bred.

rare
"

life

Take

in the
bred in the Shin, in Sutherlandshire,and set it at liberty
the
ascend
and
it
but
not
will
at
Tweed,
will,if not
Tweed,
Berwick,
hundreds
return to its native river,the Shin,traversing
slain in transitu,
salmon

of miles of

to

ocean

do

so.

Is this wonderful

Not

more

wonderful

than,"

"

The swallow
the

on
migrating,

from
twittering

its straw-built

of winter

first appearance

shed,"

these

on

shores,to the

insect food, of Africa, and returningto its

atmosphere,yielding
in the spring,
to live and givelifein the temperate summer
natal locality
of fish and fowl are caused
of a temperatezone.
The annual emigrations
by natural wants, but the instinct, true as the needle to the pole,"that
in their long out and return voyages, through
guides them, undeviatingly,
warm

"

the

unto
seas, is wonderful
through the tempest-tossed
that hath implantedit in these animals of
I will here give a happy illustration of the invariable
life.
salmon returningto the rivers in which they first saw

stormyair

adoration

its creation.
habit of
It is taken
of water

and

of the Providence

from

about

my
20

"
of the Salmon," p. 172 :
Loch-shin,a piece
shire
miles by 14, situate in the heart of the Sutherland-

"Book

"

mountains, is the immediate

abundance

The

of its salmon.

feeder of the river Shin, noted for the

itself has four feeders,middhng-

Loch

sized rivers,viz.,the Terry, Fiack, Garvy, and Curvy, in which, previously

to the year 1836, not a salmon was
ever
were
seen, though many
In the year mentioned, at the
in the habit of enteringthe loch or lake.
of Sutherland, and Mr.
caughtin the river Shin, shortlybefore the

request of

his Grace

Loch, M.P.,

salmon

were

veyed
spawning season, and conto the four rivers above named, amongst which they were
buted
distriin due proportion. Mr. Andrew
Young, the Duke's salmon-factor,
the managing director on
and our best natural historian of salmon, was
all the fish spawned, each in the
In the winter
the occasion.
season
it
mark
of the consequences : salmon
which
river into
one
was
put. Now,
and ever
at present,
the lake,
since,come
regularlyto spawn, traversing
heretofore
in
all
salmonless
those
rivers.
"c., to do so,
Nay, more, the
in the Terry, at least those that survive long enough,
fish hatched
return to the Terry; and the young of the other three rivers return from
salmon
the
the sea to them, each grilseor
entering never-failingly
it
that
birth.
AVhat
wonderful
and
stinct
victual stream
unerring ingave
remain
in the river Shin,
! One might think that they would
where their first ancestors had spawned but no, they leave
and spawn
-,

their

own

along the

the lake,through the river Shin,

natal shallows,pass down
the
to
and there having become
sea;
Kyle of Sutherland,

they retrace their route, and, after

in the spots of
long voyage, very frequently

adolescent,in three months

necessary

rests

on

their

or

so,

COMPLETE

THE

121

ANGLEK.

for the first time, but

tlieir parents'nativity,
they revisit,
last if they survive,the

scenes

of their birth and

for the

not

infancy. Revisit them

Being nubile,to perform the nuptialrites,which they

begat them, and so they go on increasing
and multiplyingin colonies,heretofore tenantless of salmon, ever
since
and rivers of
volcanic action called from the vasty deep the mountains
"

for what?

their forefathers

do where

'

'

northern

\"

Caledonia

Salmon

deposittheir

never

it would

be vivified.

not

milt,the combined

To

If

stillwater.

deep or

theydid,

impregnated by the
and
of atmosphericand
running water,

vivifysalmon

influence of
Hence

solar action is necessary.

shallows,or the fords as

in

spawn

ova

directs the salmon

nature

called,and

they are

to

even

in

to spawn

run

up

narrow,

rivers,to do so.
shallow,rapid brooks,tributaries to the large salmon
who
make
her
must
The female chooses a mate,
selection,
by
good
None
the
trite
f
or
and
in
these
salmon
it,
saying,
onslaughts
fighting
verified.
The male fish that
but the brave deserve the fair,"is fully
"

aquaticbride proceedswith her to

choice of the marital
make
bed, having driven from it all intruders.
This bed is placedin a shallow part of the river,and consists of gravel
and
sand.
Having chosen it,'tis necessary to make it. I cannot tell
it is the gentleman or ladythat commences
whether
the operationfirst,

remains

which

of
possession

in victorious

is done

by

one

or

burrowing upwards

and

propellingpower,
fish gets tired
one
the

bed

and

the other

the snout

nest, the gravel and

sand

made.

This process

until

female

has

day ; it may

of

ova

fewer

size and
to be

deposited. The

she has, the

ova

rapidly they will

be

female

link

one

or

as

soon

as

nest

of

depositsthe

it and

enters

used

As

excavatingone.

from

which

the

cover

two

or

three to

eight or

fish,that is,according to
younger

and

being dug,

they will

sooner

and
deposited,

the

the work
ten

of

according

quantity

the

the female

smaller

in the

ova

nest

fish the

be all mature, and the more

the
whole
process of digging

coveringthem

different nests

of the narrow,
bed, and
longitudinal
Once covered in, the fish have no fiu-ther

finished.

being

part of it,and then retires. Forthwith

exudes some
of his milt upon the ova,
This done, they proceed to dig another

from

of the

graveland

into the

tail

is continued,nest above
This is not
depositedall her ova.

extend
age

it, the

an

excavated

first nest

the

as

deep and largeenough the

is

therebyimpregnatingthem.

one

in

other takes its place. When

the

portionof her ova, or

the male
takes her place and

to

dartingits head

downwards

mature

the

his

care

in

for the spawn.

remain until they

deep pool
from
the exhaustingeffects of spawning.
"kelts"
or
"spent" fish they commence
their voyage to the sea to recruit thoroughlytheir health, to grow and
fatten in submarine feedingfields. In from 100 to 140 days (seenotef
to page
The foetus at first is like a large
111) the ova are hatched.

They drop
become
partly convalescent
Soon after this" they are now
down

larva with
neck.

On

the foetus

amongst

into the next

little sack

and

"

of nutritious

this it lives for about

assumes

the

gravel.

fish
At

vitelline

month.

shape,and
two

there

months

matter

Wlien

the sack

is able to seek

the

attached

to

its

disappears,

for food

for

itself

shaped,and
fry is perfectly

122

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

pink spotsalong the lateral

are
erroneouslycalled "parr^*marks, some
naturalists confounding
the salmon fry with the diminutive trout called
the
the fiy eagerlyfeeds npon flies on the
parr." At two months

stronglymarked
line.

The

with

bars and

transverse
bars

transverse

"

surface of the water, and small w^orms

in size until it is
on
slowlyincreasing

or

bar-marks

exterior
silvery

and
disappear,

called
scales,

its

first moderate
from

two

natal

river

"

four months

to
as

adult,though not
the
"

be

growth

Book

it descends

now

average,

and

ensuingautumn

smolt, and

tripto the

the

coveringof

or

with

immigrates to

salmon

of it

w^ite

to

me

that which

than

passedin

than three

to the

sea

as

follows:"

"At

the

has been known

days,nothinglike

to

remain

its natural

ever

its

the increase that

after

therein,say for eight

element, fresh water, it
have
preventing,

circumstances
specific

double

to

of

end

fresh water, the young fish,

on
an
average,
At
that
ounces.
weight,being a smolt,

and, if it should

on
correctly
anythingmore
have alreadywritten in the

the

grilsestates

its

it breeds for

winter

end of that time, to the w^eightof five pounds or

by
rapidityof increase is most wonderful; and, though an

This

the

It feeds therein

sea.

then

small

again to the sea.

Having sojournedthere
for
second
time and is now
the
an
immigrates

then return
or nine weeks, and
and no
will,in ail probability,
increased

It is

Salmon," p. 197 to 201,

more

old,when

year

aged salmon.

an

of salmon

year, the whole

little

an

In the

impossiblefor

of the

weigh

It goes
transverse

returns

time, it
requisite
It would

its maiden
on

"grilse."

assumes

migratory"coat.

flood it takes

the firsttime, and

the

it

larvae at the bottom.

weightby

takes

sea-food in

place between

So, if the growth of

occurs.

more.

adult

thirty-eight
and

the smolt

during the

salmon

first year

of its existence,
is extremelyslow in fresh water, it is,after
that age, by far more
than proportionately
It will
rapidin salt water.
be well to bear in mind, that the growth of salmon is not always proportioned
to the

lengthof

stances
Several circumthey sojournat sea.
others"
development. Amongst
i)hysical
indeed they are the chief ones
and
quantityof food found on
quality
and
the salt water
capacityfor growth.
feeding-grounds, hereditary
I mean
that the offspring
of largefish have
capacity,'
By hereditary
of growing, and do grow, faster,
the inherent power
and to a larger
of small race.
size than the young of salmon
I speak of large
When
and
small salmon, I refer to fish w^hich eventually
become
very large,
and to fish which, no matter
Mdiat their age, will always be small, in
The
fact,to giant and dwarf breeds.
growth of salmon fryis pretty
equal in all rivers ; and, therefore,smolts,no matter whether they are
the produce of largeor small salmon, will be found in different rivers,
is not the case, however, after the
in size. Such
not differing
much
After that,the growth of the offspringof
smolt stage of existence.
is more
salmon
rapidthan that of the produce of salmon
large-growing

affect their rate

time

of

"

"

of

more

diminutive

race.

The

weighing fortypounds, grow

state,than
pounds

smolts of rivers which

faster to the

the smolts of rivers whose

; and

grilseand

producesalmon
in

the

fish do not exceed

largest

faster still than the smolts of rivers,the salmon

salmon

twenty

of which

THE

COMPLETE

do not average more

than ten pounds in
three rivers running at short distances,
the
same

of the

arm

that smolts

from

sea, as

each

do

the

descend

128

ANGLER.

weight each.
from

one

Shin, the

Oikel,and

I will suppose

the other,into the

the Carsely,
and

take up their quarters

I
same
grounds. Again, will suppose them entering,in
feedingthe grilse
to their respective
natal rivers.
It will
state,simultaneously
on

and
simultaneously,

the

be found

that

the

grilseof the Shin will be larger,and

grilseof the Oikel,and that the grilseof the
of
largerthan the grilseof the Carsely. The reason
fish of the Shin are
is,the full-grown
than
much
larger

than

much

the

Oikel, and
of the

the adult fish of the

Carsely. The

having attained
further

in fresh water

increase

duration

growth

latter

of salmon

in the

of time

at sea, and

this

will be

disparity

those

of the

largerthan
at

sea

those

only,for after

size of smolts,they make

no
three
element, depends on
things:

the small

non-saline

they remain

somewhat

are

longer

Oikel

their

on

grounds,qualityand
sea-feeding

quantityof food
with

theyobtain thereon,and hereditarycapacityfor growth,

of small salmon, that
of digestion.The grilse
wliich never
beyond a small size,are handsomer, in
grow

apportionedpowers

is,of salmon

better

shaped, and generally of

produce of largergrowing salmon.

every

way
the
grilse,
Carron

and

Laxford, in Ross-shire

brighter hue
The grilse
of

than

the.

the rivers

Sutherlandshire,are handsome,
small-headed,thick and deep,and short in the body; the scales of which
are
small,smooth, and bright,because they are the offspringof small
parent salmon ; whereas, the grilseof the river Shin, in which salmon
fish,having large heads, longgrow to a very largesize,are ill-shapen
thin bodies,large,
brilliant
a
nd
large,rough,and by no means
long fins,
scales.

It

grilsefrom
galmon, for

and

a
large and well-shaped
requiresexperienceto distinguish
small salmon; indeed, grilseare
sometimes
a
largerthan
the same
that a young
reason
Dorking fowl is largerthan

marks
between
the onlydistinguishing
aged bantam.
Frequently,
grilseand salmon, are the smaller scales of the former, and the longer
and largerfins in proportionto size. The fins of a grilse
of eightpounds
in weight,are
longer and larger than those of a salmon of the same
size.
The tail of the grilse
is deeply forked ; that of the salmon less so,
and very slightly
indeed when in prime condition.^^
an

I have

now

stated

the

prominenthabits

Minor

of the salmon.

matters

its powers of jumping

from
the water, and
passingthrough it. The salmon throws itself
Putting its
forward, from the water.
straight,
risingperpendicularly

concerningit,I

wiU

narrate rapidly. First,of

tail in its mouth, and bounding like a

Its
miaccountable
nonsensical
notion.

from
skip-jack

the

water, is

an

quite straightwhen it
body
its
of striking
makes
its leap,and
it does so, no doubt, chiefly
by means
by the
fins against the body of water
underneath
it, and profiting
boards,
resistance to the fms, it presses on them
jumping springas if they were
and
with
strength
and
then
and
darts forwards
great
upwards
in
and
a
jumps
agility.'It rises,I should say, after a run or rush,
like
uprisingdirection,
slanting,
the v/ater
is

only

be

from

shallow,a

deep

water

salmon

that

that
can

of

is

jumping over

man

onlyjump
full bound

can

small

very
be made.

gate.

height.
The

If
It

jpoini

124

THE

the

d'appui for
shallow
in

salmon

heighta

swim

can

fifteen.

nor

hour,
when

found

only be

can

in

deep water,

leap.

can

at the

"

rivers,its progress

is very

that the

twenty,
fortymiles an hour.
; nor
miles
ten
do
it
of
its
an
speed, might
top
spurt" when passing through rapids,or

only for a short

hooked by the angler. In
but

distance

No

rate of

Perhaps,at the

in

therefore

low. Six feet is the average

state
I have read writers,who

the leapis feeble and

water

salmon

fins

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

stillwater, when

slow

"

the salmon

walking

mere

pace.

is ascending

It has been

singularfact,to find salmon with sea-lice adhering to it

fiftymiles up a river,but as these parasitesstick to the fish for, at
least,twenty-fourhours after it has quitted salt water, the fact only
considered

proves
hour.

an

of

ascendingprogress

I have

slingtrot.

never

hooked

day
but

its

month.

more

not

than two

keep

up

fresh-run
a

it loses bit

by

an

at

racing phrase, "blown;"

bit every

fish is fatter,and stronger,

in fresh water

fish that has been

its fins,diminishes obesity,

and increases muscular endurance.
of
fish
size
makes a pow^erfulrush or two, and then
run
large
a

miles
with

latter fish is,however, much

more
active,
indurates
that
water
fresh
The reason
is,

The

difiicultto tire out.

more

I could

which
condition,

strength does not last,than

or
fortnight

and

small fraction

salmon, that is,a fish that has just entered

fresh-run

fresh water, is in its best

it remains
in the river.

the

fish that

fish not

fresh-run

will

being hooked,but he will make

fresh-

is,to

not

make

use
a

tinued
long-conjump out of the water, and fightfor
his life longer,
and
with more
pluck,"than the fat fresh-run salmon.
In my opinion,
it is more
difficultto slaya ten-pound salmon that has
been in fresh water a month, than it is to capturewith rod and line an
eighteenpounder justfresh and full-fed from the sea.
is a curious one, and
The subject
to anglers. I
interesting
specially
of the;
will further explainit by an illustrative citation from my "Book
fresh
run
Salmon," p. 201, et infra:
Although a grilseor salmon,
from the sea, is largerand in better condition than it wiU be after a few
at all
weeks' sojournin fresh water, it is neither so strongnor so active
not so enduring. One evident cause
are
events, its strengthand activity
elastic
of this is,that fresh water hardens, and renders tough and stiffly
the fins,which are soft and feebly
pliantin fish fresh from the sea ; and
the natural consequence is,that, aided by those whalebone
(for
fin-rays
of
fresh
water
that
to the consistency,
or
substance,
very nearly so,
reduces them),they are more
capableof putting forth enduring effort,
and
strong and rapid motion, than the obese fresh-run fish,with its
will
limber fins. A man
rowing a heavy boat, with short pliantsculls,
make but slow progress throughthe water, and will be speedily
fatigued;
whereas,if he have long stout oars, theyyieldlittleto the water, and, by
elastic to it,the boat is propelled
resistance but slightly
rapidlyonwards,
is
and
the labour of the rower
lightened. The pliant,
considerably
almost
powerlesssculls of the rower, are the soft fins of the fresh-run
fish
the stout oars, are the fins of the fish that has been a lengthy
sojournerin fresh water: besides,fresh -run fish that have been recently
feedingin rich sub-marine pastures,may not be unaptly compared to

tremendous

rush

at first

on

series of short,rapid runs,

"

"

"

"

"

COMPLETE

THE

and submitted
up from luxurious grass or clover-fields,
of salmon, are
The
the insects,
and larva?,
dry-feeding

horses
to

justtaken
dry feeding.

and

fish afforded

small

125

ANGLER.

in

to them

rivers.

The

consequence

of

dry-

with quadrupeds
feedingon good food in moderate quantity,is the same
with
lose
b
ecome
less
fish
as
they severally
bulky,
superfluous
adipose
fibre,and therefore,
matter, which is replacedby increase of muscular
though smaller in size,their strength and power of endurance are
greater. This will explain why the angler finds it frequently
more
difficultto tire out a small fish than a largerone.
For myself,I have
and over
had over
again an easier task in capturingwith rod and line
salmon
of fifteen pounds in weight,than
half the
a fresh -run
a grilse
it were,
has been a few weeks training,
in short, but
as
size,which
in fresh water.
all times a grilsewill be
At
commons
strengthening
of
than
salmon
found more
the
a
same
powerful
weight,because the fins
of grilseare larger in proportionto the size of their bodies,
than the
fins of adult
salmon
easier
and
grilsepossess, consequently,
greater
of locomotion
than
I cannot
salmon.
help fancyingthat the
powers
aldermanic
salmon, when
put to the speed by the spur of the hook,
soon
gets blown,' or, as a turfite would say, exhibits symptoms of
whilst its child or brother,limited to spare, wholesome,freshwater
distress,*
and muscular
tissues unclogged by obesity;
diet,has its air-passages
abnormal
and, therefore,when compelled to make
exertions,as it does
it evinces greaterpower
of endurance, or
when
hooked by the fly-fisher,
:

"

bottom,' as it is termed.''

is a nice but by no means

difficultseries of
Breeding fish artificially,
in
the same
water from which
operations. Fish must be bred artificially
is taken.
The first operationconsists of making the spawnthe spawn
ing
bed.
Build a stout wall about six feet or more, in a moderately
deep
and rapid stream, from the bank
wall must
be so high,as to dam
: the
off"the highest
floods,and its length must be regulatedaccordingto the
If only one, a lengthof fifteen feet
of beds you mean
to make.
number
will do
feet in length. There must
if three, the wall must be fifty
be
iron
and
the
and
bottom
of
the
wired
between
at
an
wall,
top
grating
them
and the bank, to prevent the exit of the small salmon
fry,and the
small
and
The
of
other
trout
entrance
bed, that is,all
piscinepirates.
consist of gravel and
the bank, must
the space between the wall and
and
it
its
below the level of the
be
fivefeet
must
at
extreme
sand,
depth
it is made
in which
bed of about three yards in length,
stream
: each
inch to a foot or eighteeninches.
be formed
must
on
a gradientof one
Towards
the upper part of the inclined plane,the salmon spawn impregnated,
sand.
and
the
imder
be
in
and
well
covered
must
gravel
deposited
of
water,
The inclined plane is necessary to giverapidity
to the current
"

A sort of sluice
is necessary to the vivification of the ova.
should be placed outside the upper gratingof the beds to regulatethe
it oft' when
there
floods,and to let it run
flow of water, to dam
are

and

that

freelywhen

there

are

the beds should not exceed

top and
much

bottom

shaded

The

none.

grating.

depth

of water

in the

deepestpartsof

Each bed should have its separate

not so
should be formed by banks

three feet.
The

beds

by trees,or over-hangingrocks

or

cliffsas to

prevent the

J 28

COMPLETE

THE

rays of the
The
ova.

oxygenatingthe

from

sun

from

to be taken

are

ova

shallows

spawmingon

ANGLER.

water

far distant from

not

the

flowing over

fish whilst
the

in the act

deposited
naturally

of

artificialbeds.

this most

I have

avoid
interesting
subject,
capturingat random (a largecastingnet should be used)any pairof fish
the spawning bed, because many
consorted
males and
we
on
may see
to be seen
females are
hovering about the spawning grounds several
their spawn.
If from such fish ova
before
be
days
they begin depositing
theywill be found in an immature state,their
expressedby manipulation,
for
the receptionor absorptionof the milt,and
not
as
yet open
pores
expressingit over them then will not produce impregnation.On the
male and female, that have commenced
contrary,when a pair,of course
written

elsewhere

on

their
spawningare captured,
state

required,or
be

small

tub, must
the river,and
spawn

at least

about

and

milt will be

portionof

them.

river water

placedin

it.

The

will

as

female

vessel,can, pail,or

gravelfrom
the gravel and the
just captured,must

cover

salmon

clean

by the head over the vessel with one hand,

gentle pressure is made down the bellyof
the expulsionof all the ova
that are
will cause

be held up
other hand

pressure
will be received in the vessel.

pressedin

the

same

into the vessel.

in

The

The

fish is then

male

must

in the mature

found

a small
ready,containing
portionof

much

as

to be

ova

'*We

"

whilst with
the fish.

the
This

mature, which
be

to

held

and

the emission of mature

milt
way, which will cause
fish are then to be restored to their native element,

if the

recover,
manipulatorbe not a rough one, they will speedily
the remaining spawn, not artificially
forced from them,
becomes mature, they will depositit as if nothinghad happened. Having
expressedova and milt into the vessel,it must be shaken so that gravel,

which,

and when

water, milt and

ova, be
with

coming
impregnated. On
are
impregnated,and

be

young

and

properlymixed,

into contact

that

no

ova

the
if

contrary,the

ova

properlycared

for,will

in

due

time

produce

salmon."
ova,

the shoulder of the inclined

the trench
be

from

If any do, they will not

that are touched by the milt

stated,must
impregnatedafter the manner
littlelongitudinal
trench,five inches deep,made in the
The

escape

portionsof the milt.

and

covered

presseddown
will allow

the

on

over

plane.

with
loosely

water

placed in

be spread at the bottom

gravel. The gravelmust

be left in

artificialbed at

It must

the ova, but it must

running

be

justsuch

of
not

loose state

percolatethrough it and constantly

If
the
be
ova.
they
depositedin September,and October,
pass over
be mild, they will be hatched
in the latter
November, and December
but
weather
cold
if
the
be
and frosty,
month,
they will not be incubated
before the latter end of January,or the beginning of February. The
and
grubs,and very small worms,
young fish should be fed with insects,
the
at
of
set
free
six
be
months.
should
or
age
they may
eight
They
not be left in confinement
of them
Some
longer than eleven months.
should be marked, with fryof the same
in
the
bred
river,
age naturally
in order to determine
the marking being different,
whether there has
been any difference in growth when theyreturn from the sea in a grilse
state.
Ova artificially
impregnatedmay be conveyedto rivers hundreds
as

to

COMPLETE

THE

127

ANGLER.

apart,but during the transit the water in the vessel should be

the walls of salmon
beds no
every morning. In constructing
and strongly,
with
be used.
lime must
a
They must be
dry-built,"
of
and
small
stones.
admixture
large
proper
I have now
done with the natural historyof sahnon, and must show
The only pleasantand surelysuccessful way
how it is to be angledfor.
of anglingfor salmon is with the artificialfly. The young
fly-fisher for
to throw the flyand line,to
salmon has four principalparts to learn
the water, to hook a fish,and finally,
to play him
work the flyagainst
within reach of landing-netor gafl".I advise the aspirantto salmon
and grilse. The
to commence
by fishingfor salmon-trout
proficiency
in the County Kerry rivers in spring;
former he will find in abundance

of miles

renewed

"

"

and

and
rivers of Sutherland,Ross-sliire,

in the
plentifully

the latter

of Ireland in

in the rivers of the north-west

ness,
Caith-

July,August, and

September. Why I advise thus, I'll tell. To capture those

A rod
requiresfar lighter
gear than to slaythe adult salmon.
whilst a joust on fair terms with a
nay, of 15 feet,will suffice,
be

fish-foe cannot
hand

The

carried

can

young
shall have mastered

on

without

lance

wield the
easily

more

that,then let

fished for in the

18

or

and

lighterweapon,

handle the heavier

him

feet in

20

fish it
of 16,
mature

length.

when

he

Sea-trout

one.

salmon, but with

smaller
grilse
v;ay
is to be done
fliesand a lighterand shorter line,the throwing of which
which
is
the
natural
shoulder
most
The
follows
cast,
as
:
straightright
when
fishingfrom the left bank of a river,
one, and should be practised
is done thus : the right hand holds the rod above the winch, the left
below it ; the rightside is next to the river,and the rightfoot foremost.
and

are

same

as

"

You

rod

bring your

and

line

boldlyand

in
freely

fine,easy, wide,

is
sweep
your right shoulder,until your right arm
side
and
the
of
then
extended fully
and vertically
over
right
your head,
line
and
to the right
send
rod
forward,
by
strongly
communicating
you
strike
to
at
if
arm
something elevated
going
sharpaction,justas
you were
side of your
If
clenched hand.
before you with the soft or little-finger
rod
the
back
the
and
line over
all this compound action
right
bringing
ingly
be performeddashshoulder,and then sharplysendingthem forward
and energetically^,
stint of sweep, and strength,
without nervousness,
which should not be at first
your flywill be driven to its destination,
If you can cast that space,
than twenty yardsdistant.
eflbrts much
more

semicircular

over

"

"

or

say from

cricket wicket

to

another,well,you need

will be able to catch sea-trout

but you
in

one

throwing

considered,for
throws

hurl

or

use

roll their

moderate
of the

flyan

throws

the farthest line,but he who

distance,and when

prettylure.

im]nense

I have

distance,three

or

his
seen

four

flyis in the water

long-limbedlouts

yardsfurther

farthingthat

executed

the best.
speaking,
rightshoulder,are, generally
and
the
neatest,
by a proficient,
they are always

than

I would

I could,and yet I would stake my last florin to a

The straightcasts,whether
for theu- one.
kill three fish or more
the left or

fear

succeed
ultimately

I think far enough, all matters

which
yards fai'ther,
that
Believe me
the great majorityof useful purposes.

neatlya

the best

makes

not much

ten

the best salmon-fisher is not he who

it

and
grilse,

and

from

At any rate,

should,by

128

and
be thefirstlearnt,
beginners,
be

can

performed with

determine, almost

They

the

cause

the fisher to
and

to

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

tben

practisedunto
to

great accuracy, so as
inch, the precisespot on which his flyis to fall.
and enable
to touch the water first,
casting-line
working the fly,or showingitto the fish,sooner

an

flyand

commence

than he could do if much

better

perfection.They
the angler to

enable

of the winch -line

in contact

came

with the casting-line,

before.
or
a moment
simultaneously
is
cast
less disturbance to the water than
The efiect of the straight
of cast.
In fishing
down a river from its right
that of any other species

with

the water

hold your rod with the left hand above the winch, and the
beneath it ; left leg foremost,and left side towards the water.

bank, you

right

one

your rod round, by, over, and beyond the point of your left
motion will carry the line to its full extent
which
shoulder,
upwards
that the line is so extended,
the bed of the river,and feeling
over
you
You

bring

bring back

in the direction you

little,

the rod, and making

line forward by

goingto

were

of
chiefly

use

the

motion

strike at

going

are

to cast,the

pointof
you propel

the action of the left arm,

which

with

make

you

the rod, as

if you

the river in the direction

somethinghoveringover

to go.
The forward motion
of the rod will be checked
you wish your fly
unless you bend forward
with it,and the line will
at a short distance,
the
which
and
it is attached,coming
to
be sent straight
out,
fly
gut-line,

with the water.

first in contact

body

the

much

too

with

Yieldingdown
descendingrod

the

the

and

and

bending
making the

arms

line,in

very bad habit,as it bringsthe point of the rod too close to

the surface of the water, deadens its elastic and propelling
action,and

cast, is a

line to fall

the

causes

This left-shoulder cast is

to
or

the

beneath

from

of

shelving
"

you

are

water.

fishing

river,and have behind you impediments

"

in

There

of

the

pupilswith

my
well from

the

of the

should

done

only be

round

of

be

I do

last.

learnt

When

not

wish

they know

to harass

how

to cast

they have then thoroughlylearnt

understandingof the poetry of it will steal

left shoulders
The

by

be thrown

flymust
the

possible.Castingdown

bank,

practiseboth

unawares.

The salmon-line and

on

to

great advantage and preventive

throwing the line and fly,but

rod, a

difficultiesat the outset.

rightand

learner

circumstances,for if he does he will become

other methods

are

the prose of their art.

them

I counsel the

it.

all

use

fatigue.
they are difficultand

or

the

of your rod and line. If the rightbank be flat

T can
if it be clear of obstructions
see
no
objectionto

ways,
ambidexterous

can

when

on

right-handsweep

under
alternately,

as

manner
slovenly

only absolutely
necessary

rightbank

castingfrom
right-shoulder

on

loose and

current, and

standing in the water

rock, bridge,or
projecting

some

slantinglydown

throw
into

as

line with

and

across

the current

down
straightly
in
completely

the stream
line with

it,

at the head

weir.
the

without

of the stream,
When
you cast from the
stream, bringingthe fly

delay.

The

salmon

-flyis

with it,or down

againstthe current, and never
worked, or
worked
downwards
If it were
it would
roll over,
it,like the trout-fly.
of
heaviness
its
and
of
the
account
wings,
on
general
frightenrather
"

humoured"

than lure salmon.

When

worked

the current,it seems

against

like

some

COMPLETE

THE

129

ANGLER.

beautiful,large insect,swimming by
nondescript,

fitsand

starts a little
the surface of the water, and up stream.
The salmon-fly
must
be worked towards you, up and down, and throughthe water,by moving
beneath

the rod up and down, not very

rod,

grasping the

"

the

When

or
rapidly,

and

up

very

down,

the

rod

and

line

lifted

high or

low.

if you

just as

lightfree-handled pump.
remarks on
followinganalytical

w-ith
leisurely

made

move

The

hands,

pumping
In previouswritings,
I have
the
humouring
salmon-fly
were

will be

"

the

fly,and the
resistance it meets with from the superincumbentwater againstwhich,
it is forced,will press down its wings on the
in an
upward direction,
of course, the fibres of the feathery
fur material
or
body,compressing,
and
of which wings,body,
legs are made ; when by the next motion, a
and
the
rod
of
one
line,the fly goes downwards
againstthe
sinking
water, the resistance
of the

are

it meets

up,

from

with

so

beneath

the
and hackles,displays
wing-feathers
tinsel
and
the
w^ith
which
body

opens all the fibres

diflerent colours of each,
it is ribbed.

and discloses the

the motion
the
and

that

occurs

angler,the
all the

water

between
presses

the two

it above

materials of which

When

others,the flyis drawn

and below

it is made

are

"

indeed
more

on

by

towards

all sides
"

compressedthan

The
motion
I have called the sinking
any other motion.
is the most attractive of the three,because its effect is fuller development

they are by
one,

of the colours of the

fly,and fuller action" I may say almost

component parts. ]^ow, if the
separate action of each of the fly's
motions
and
are
performed roughly or rapidly,
drawing-in
up-and-down
will be, constant
of the effects,
the effect,
or rather one
compressionof
and of the hairs,be they
the fibres of the wing and hackle feathers,
mohair, or pig'swool, or fur,of which the body is made.
pression
By this comshades of colour are hidden, and nearlyall the beauties of the
The full wing and the full
tinted wing are obscured.
most seductively
water
attenuated
matter
are
no
by
body
Certainly,
injuriously
pressure.
motion
of the flymay be, its
how
rapid the upward and downward
the
water
their colours
descend
fibres must
as
they
against
; but
open
the
for
brief
that
fish
has not had sufficient
a
are
period,
displayed so
time to distinguish
The too rapid motion
them.
between the heaving
-and the setting
of the fly,
draws it so swiftly
towards you, that few fish
fleet enough to overtake it ; and if they are, they will be, I fancy,
are
of extraordinary
effort to do so." It is a less
disinclined to make
use
and roughly.
than too rapidly
fault to work the flytoo slowlyand gently,
and
worked
I have seen
salmon follow with open mouth
a
fly,
rapidly
AVlienlair.
not being able to overtake it,
turn ])ack and descend to their
lower your rod a Uttle,which
salmon
see
cver
a
followingyour fly,
you
will cause
the flyto rest,or move
gentlytowards the fish,who, seeingit
with all its fibres temptinglydisplayed,
will, in the majorityof such
it
take
instances,
eagerly.
too quickly
than striking
There is no greater defect in salmon-fishing,
strike at a fish
should never
and too stronglyat a risingfish. You
unless you have the fly
unless you feel him, which
you will not do
instant a salmon has taken
The
or withinside them.
between his lips,
to swallow it
with it,ostensibly
he turns his head downwards
the fly,
"

130

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

you feel this,lift up the point of your rod,

and strike with very moderate force. The salmon-rise at the flycauses
a
large circle about it in the water, and this circle diminishes as he
in
quietly

When

his lair.

writers say then is the time to strike with

but I tell you not to strike even
then, unless at the
the narrowingcircle;
If you strike rapidlyand roughlyat a
time you feel your fish.
same

majorityof

The

descends.

But if you
you miss him, he will hardlyrise again.
not strike at a mere
rise,but take no notice,and keep workingyour
will rise and take the flyat a second
on, the fish in all probability

do

risingfish,and

in'too rapid succession.

third cast,provided
they be not made

rises and is not hooked, allow from

salmon

before you throw

Having hooked
Hold

outset.
a

taut,but

him

over

up your rod

not

to ten minutes

do

not

press

too

and
perpendicularly

much

upon

let him

him

and

with
struggle

you.

him

when

he

run

he

strained line,whithersoever
strongly

or

When
to

expire

again.

salmon,

seven

fly

him

at the

mth

away,
likes.

You

for rocks

makes

or
stop
only lean upon
the
butt
of
rod
then
the
towards
must
You
present
dangerousplaces.
and
him, throwing upon that part of it the pressure of his struggles,
with
him
turned
have
when
run
ease
a
him,
him,
letting
again
you
for what
Whenever
he makes
called
taut line and upliftedrod.
are
butt
must
him
roots of trees,narrow
foul" spots,
rushingrapids,
you
so
as to
severely,
prevent his gettinginto a favourite positionfor prolonging

must

**

his

As

line,and

sides,wind

up

"weightwill

bring him

your

you see him

from
backwards

soon

flagand

as

moving

the

show

water

his

your

rather within reach of the

towards

gaffor
I prefer,
generallyspeaking,a
landing-netof your guide and
is good for rapid
to
the
but
the
latter
gaff,
large,very largelanding-net
Be in no hurry to land your
work, in the hands of a clever attendant.
in their excitement,think they have been playing
fish. Young anglers,
ra fish for half an
hour, when in realitytheir tussle with him has hardly
with good
Take thingseasily,
been of ten minutes' duration.
pleasantly,
and cheer}"
or fear,and
temper no nervousness
you cannot fail to play
you, or
assistant.

"

and land your fish artistically.

Every stream and pool should be fished
different fliesshould be tried before any
When
fish rises and
be abandoned.
a
There

and
slowly,
part of
promising

at least three

over

refuses

one

salmon

fly,try

him

river
with

is

to fancy
several others.
a greatchance that you will force him
Fish every inch of a generally
esteemed
at last.
one
good " salmonOne pool fished perseveringly
cast."
and artistically
will afford more

half

dozen

fished

and
Salmon
rise
unartistically.
hastily
if
best from break of day
particularlythe morning be clear and there
have been no heavy dews or thick fogs to 11 a.m., and from 6 p.m.
until quitedark.
Stop : there is frequently
good mid-day fishing,
especially
a
fter
is
the
rather
when the rivers are
and
a
flood,
clearing
day

sportthan

"

"

than

sombre
when
so

the

your

sunny.

contrary,mercury
"

the mercury

has its hand

weather-glass

forth,anglingfor

to fair

When

salmon

or

in your

barometer is sinking
shifty,
pointingto rainy,foul,and

any other river fish is next

mounting

"

you will catch fish if you

"

to useless.

On

hand
weather-glass
pointingsteadily
are
a patientangler,
plyingyour craft

COMPLETE

THE

from

sunrise to

of
refreshing

fair intervals
sunset,allowing

the whole

131

ANGLER.

for relaxation and

fur the

physicalpowers by muscle-makingaliments

and

temperatepotations. Ed.]
"

CHAPTER
OBSEPvYATIONS

OF

THE

YIII.
PIKE

OR

LUCE,
FISH

FOR

; WITH

DIRECTIONS

IIOW

TO

HIM.

[JFourt]^
JBa^.]
Pisc.
as

The

Pike

mighty Luce,or

the salmon

is the

king

is taken

to be the

of the fresh waters.

tyrant,

It is not

to

be doubted, but that

and
they are bred, some
by generation,
called
of
weed
as namely,
a
not,*"'
pickerelweed, unless

some

learned

Gesner

be much

mistaken,for he

glutinousmatter, with the

particularmonths, and some

other
some

nature, do
bred after
have

fish j and

and

sun's

past man's

Bacon, in

his

findingout, of

which

we

History of Life and Death,"

the piketo be the longestlived of any fresh water
yet he computes it to be not usuallyabove forty

Sir Prancis
observes

helpof the

heat,in
ponds apted for it by
become
pikes. But, doubtless,divers pikes;are
this manner,
or
are
brought into some
pondssome

other ways as is
dailytestimonies.

sach

says, this weed

*'

To
simplicityof Walton, or his childish ignorance,is here manifest.
sun's
of
the
fish
means
other
or
fancy
by
pickerel-wee" any
plant producing
belief of many
the modern
so than
heat, is exceedinglyridiculous, hut not more
all river
eels.
horse-hair
will
Eeader,
that
thrown
into
become
ponds
persons,
*

Tlie
"

called
or eggs, commonly
ova
the soft roe.
milts,usually named
reproduction.
Unless the former be impregnated by the latter,there will be no
tribe deposit their spawn
beneath
The salmon
gravel-beds; the carp tribe on
and
amongst the subaqueous portions of aquatic plants to which the spawn
of Rural
adheres
by its inherent viscous properties. Mr. Blaine {Encyclopedia

productive spawn.

fish have
the

*'

hard-roe

all male

All female

fish have

river fish have

SjJorts,
p. 1102), accuratelystates:

April,according to the forwardness

"Jack

"

and

or
pike spawn either in March
sphere,
temperature of the atmoThey retire for the reproductive

of the spring, or

well as the situation of the water.

in
pah^s,quittingthe rivers for the creeks and
purpose
in still waters
they seek the stillest parts of them, and
as

bed,

or

remain

towards

the edges or
the reed and

ditches.

confined

When

frequentlyoccupy
shallows, depositingtheir spawn

mud-

among
The niale

rush varieties are favourites.

with much
attention,
the female
this
time
be seen
during
accompanying
may
the fecundatingmilt has been
depositedover the ova, the pair retire
and when
cess."
to feel no further solicitude for the result of the prointo deep water, and seem
See the end of this chapter for other observations on the pike." Ed.

aquatic plants, of

which

i2

132

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER.

years ; and others think it to be not above ten years ; and yet
Gesner mentions a piketaken in Swedeland,in the year 1449,
with a ringabout his neck, declaring
he was
put into that
Frederick

pond by
before he

than two hundred

Second,more
years
last taken, as by the inscription
in that ring,

was

beingGreek,was
Eut

of this

the

no

by the
interpreted
but that it is

more

then

Bishopof

observed,that the old

of state than
very great pikeshave in them more
the smaller or middle-sized
pikes being,by the
choicest

observed
palates,

the eel is observed

All

pikesthat

to be the best meat

those

fish,even

of their

; which

kind

own

death of

by the

goodness;
and

most

bigness.

their

to
longprove chargeable

their lifeis maintained

because

or

and, contrary,

to be the better for age and

live

Worms.*

keepers,

other
many
made him by

so

has

water
or the freshtyrant of the rivers,
of his bold,greedy,devouringdisposiwolf,by reason
tion
is so keen, as Gesner
relates a man
goingto a
; which
a
pike had devoured all the fish,to
pond,where it seems
water his mule, had a pike bit his mule by the lips;to which

the

to be called the

writers

some

story is told (more

The

and

Power

Providence

correctly)by Hakewill, who,

of

this chapter with a

Ferdinand, prefixedbefore

will close up

cast into

pike which was

this inscriptionengraven
of

sum

Secundi

manus,

Octohris,anno

relation

of

his booke

pond

upon
illepiscishide stagno omnium

fol. Oxf.

God,"

or

poole

near

that

am

"
"

his

Hailebrune
about

piHmus impositiis
per mwuU
I

Apologie of

peror
epistleto the EmPiscibus, touching the long life
in

collar of brass fastened

1230.'

"

1635, part i. p. 145, says,

Gesner's
De

in his

fish which

in Suabia, ^vith
his necke,' ^^70
rectoris Frcderici
was

first of all

of Fredericke
of the
the Second, governor
into this poole by the hand
He was
world, the fifth of October, in the year 1230.
again taken up in the
it appeared he had then lived there 2G7
and by the inscription,
year 1497;
cast

"

yeareSv"
"

H.

COMPLETE

THE

the

pike bung so fast,that the mule

water, and by that accident the owner
the

And

pike.

Poland

had

clothes in

the

I have

And

by

that
formerly,
in extreme

Coventry.
of whom
Seagrave,

But
I

otters,that he hath

keepstame

with
hunger fight

the otter had

angled out

the like of

far from

friend Mr.

my

of the mule

heard

caught,and

was

of the

out

observes,that
pike bit her by the foot,as she was

Killingworth
pond,not
assured

him

drew

Gesner

same

pond.

133

ANGLER.

maid

in

washing

in

woman

I have been

spaketo
known

of his otters for

you

pike

carp that
then bringingout of the water.

one

I have told you who relate these things,

and tell you theyare
this observation,by
persons of credit ; and shall conclude
'^

wise man
has observed,
a
telling
you what
thingto persuadethe belly,because it has no
*

It is

hard

ears."*

ing
instance of the exceedBowlker, in his Art of Angling, gives the follo^viiig
"
of
this
fish
in
father
catched
a
:
Barn-Meer, (a large
voracity
pike
My

ell long and

an
pounds,
standing water in Cheshire) was
weighed thirty-five
it to be
he brought to the Lord
Kholmondely : his lordship ordered
turned
of several sorts of
into a canal in the garden, wherein
abundance
were
fish. About
twelve months
after,his lordshipdraw'd the canal, and found that
this overgrown
all the fish,except one
large carp, that
pike had devoured
nine and ten pounds, and
bitten in several places.
that was
weighed between
of fish
The pike was
then put into the canal
again,togetherwith abundance
for him
all which
to feed upon,
in less than
a
he devoured
year's time; and
observed
was
there, to take the ducks and other
by the gardener and workmen
water- fowl under
water
: whereupon
they shot magpies and crows, and threw
them
into the canal, which
the pike took before their eyes : of this they
acquainted their lord, who thereupon ordered the slaughtermen to fling in
calves' bellies,chickens' guts, and such like garbage to him, to prey upon ; but
ing
The followbeing soon after neglected,he died as supposed for want of food."
which

relation
2nd

Jan.

was

inserted

1765.

of

watch

with

news

in

of the

one

London

papers,

ten
"About
Littleport,Dec.
river
which
in
the
Ouse,
weighed upwards of
caught
in
the
sold
to a gentleman
was
neighbourhoodfor a
nishment,
to her great astothe
she
found,
fish,
was
gutting

Extract

large Pike was

twenty-eight pounds, and
guinea. As the cook-maid
days ago,

article of

an

as

letter from

black

17."

ribbon, and

two

steel

seals

annexed,

in

the

pike ; the gentleman's butler,upon opening the watch, found the

body
Thomas
maker's
Upon a strict enquiry,
Cranefield,Burnham, Norfolk.
name,
was
sold to a gentleman's servant, who
it appears
that the said watch
was
between
Cambridge,
to
in
his
about six weeks
unfortunatelydrowned
way
ago,
this place and South-Ferry. The watch
is still in the possessionof Mr. John
of the public."And
at the Cross
for the
in
of the

Roberts,

Keys,

inspection

Littleport,

"
On Tuesday
year.
nine
yards deep,
last, at Lillishall lime-works, near
Newport, a pool about
level
of
brought
a
which
has not yet been fished for ages, was
let off by means
out
drawn
he
was
found
;
enormous
an
pike was
up to drain the works, when
of
hundreds
spectators,
amidst
his head
round
and
gills,
by a rope fastened
service a great many
in which
men
were
employed : he weighed upwards of
time ago, the
Some
is
and
be
the
to
170 pounds,
largest ever seen.
thought
seized by
clerk of the parish was
trollingin the above pool,when his bait was
doubtless
and
jerk, pulled him in,
this furious creature, which, by a sudden
dexterous
and
wonderful agility
him
would
have devoured
had he not

this is in the

same

paper,

the

25th

also,

of the

month

same

by

and

134

THE

But

COMPLETE

if tliese relations be

ANGLER.

it is too evident
disbelieved,

doubted,tliat a pike will devour a

shall be bigger than his bellyor

fish of his
throat

kind

own

will

to be

that

receive,and

part of him, and let the other part remain in his

mouth
tillthe swallowed
and then swallow
part be digested,
in his mouth, and so put it over
that other part,that was
byunlike
the
not
and
which
is
other
some
degrees;
beasts,
ox,

swallow

takingtheir meat, not out of their mouth immediatelyinto

their belly,
but first into some
placebetwixt,and then chew
it,or digestit by degreesafter,which is called chewing the
cud.
And, doubtless,pikes will bite when
they are not

hungry ; but, as
tempting bait

for very

anger, when

to them.

near

comes

it is observed

And

think, even

some

that the

pikewill

eat venomous

things,

kind of frogsare, and yet live without beingharmed

as
some
by them ; for,as some
say, he has in him a natural balsam,or
antidote againstall poison. And he has a strangeheat,that

though

it appears to

to

us

be

cold,can

without
degrees,

by
any fish-flesh,
observe that he never

eats

the

being sick.

her,and then,as ducks

in spaMTiing
time, at which time

danger.

assure
him, he had seen
faithfully
time in the bellyof a pike. And
heightof hunger,will bite at and
a

pond ; and

there have

swimming, escaped the

been

dreadful

History of Staffordshire,246,

two

young
doubtless

devour

swims

the like

animal."

one

pike,in

dog that

at

geese

examplesof it,or

sundry

frogs

may devour her without

Polonian gentlemandid

jaws of this voracious

are

have

frogsare observed to
her, by tumbling her

some

in the water, that he

Gesner affirms that
And

over

others

observed to do to

are

thoroughlywashed

so

"

And

frog tillhe

venomous

firstkilled

be venomous,
up and down

or
yet digest
put

In Dr.

his
in

for,

Plot's

relations

of pike of great magnitude,

ell and
foltwo inches long. The

in the Thame, an
story, containing further evidence of the voracity of this fish,with the
of a pleasant circumstance, I met with in Fuller's Worthies, Lincolnshire,
addition
"A
cub fox, drinking out of the river Arnus, in Italy, had
144.
page
his head seized on by a mighty pike, so that neither could free themselves, but
in

one

particularcaught

lomng

ingrappled together.

were

takes

them

palace
of

out

hard

was

both

by.

In

alive,and
The

this contest
carricth

porter would

sharing his full half in what

the duke

them

man
young
to the Duke

not

should

admit

him

give him

runs

into tlie water,

of Florence, whose
without
promising
; to

wliich

he

less
(hope-

of entrance) condescended
duke, highly affected with the
; the
about giving him a good reward, Avhich the other refused, desiring

otherwise

rarity,was
his
so

my

lashes, that
highness would appoint one of his guard to give him a hundred
And
here
fifty,according to his composition.
porter might have
farther the jest was
leaveth
H.
followed."
intelligence
me, liovr much

his

"

THE

I told you,
upon it."
The

himself

alone,and

roach

as

and

he fears not
the trout
And
and

ANGLER.

bellyhas

no

swims

never

dace and

shadow, or

and

most

chub

and

itis observed

135

when

ears

pikeis also observed to be

fish : melancholybecause

bold

The

"

as

COMPLETE

hunger

comes

and
solitary,
melancholy,
he always swims
rests
or
a

in

shoals

with

or

company,
other fish do ; and bold,because
to see
be seen
of anybody,as
or

all other fish do.

by Gesner,that

the

jaw-bonesand

hearts

gallsof pikesare

for several diseases;

very medicinable
abate fevers,
to cure
or to stop blood,to
agues, to oppose or ex-~~
and to be many ways medicinpel the infection of the plague,
able
and

useful for the

good of

mankind

but he

observes,
and hard to be cured.
pike is venomous,
And
it is observed,that the pike is a fish that breeds but
that other fish,
once
a year ; and
do breed
as
namely loaches,
do almost every month;
oftener,as we are certain tame pigeons
and yet the hawk, a bird of prey, as the pikeis of fish,
breeds
that the

bitingof

but

in twelve

once

time

of

months.'"*

breeding,or

February,or

And

you

to

are

note, that his

spawning,is usuallyabout

somewhat

in March, as
later,

the

end

of

the weather

proves
and
to
that
his
of
or
warmer
manner
note,
;
breeding
is thus : a he and a she pike will usually together
out of a
go
river into some
ditch or creek,and that there the spawner
colder

her eggs, and the melter hovers over

that she is casting
her spawn, but touches

her all that time

casts

Walton

prey
those

here

hints
less

rendered

are

livingthings

instances

salmon,

furnish

food

under

come

exceedinglyprolific
; far
valuable

so

does

nor

dispensationof Providence, by which animals of

than
productiveof their species than others, particularly
at

that

Animals, that
as

her not.t

more

edible,does

an

the pheasant breed

Animals
of prey

for

There

man.

the denomination
so

not

are
"

more

oftener

than

abound

in the uninhabited

hawk,

numerous

vermin,"

the useful cow

than

spawn
the

of

and

tions.
excepin many
sheep. The
are

frequentlythan
though it does
forest

and

the
more

productiveness.
"

of

generationof fishes,and

of the male

and

female,

as

naturalists

prove that
other animals

this hypothesisconcerning
produced by the conjunction
actions,"
See the
PhilosophicalTrans-

contradict

they
are.

are

"

II.,for the year 1754, p. 870." H.

later
in
the shape of repeated experunents,have
still,
[Discoveries
that Walton
correct
was
more
than
the " Philosophic Transactions"
Vol.

XL

impute
powers

Ed.

t Very late discoveries

the

ductively.
pro-

desert, and

if some
are
very rare, and others extinct,in populous countries,we must
the fact to the destructive devices of man,
rather than to limited natural
of

pike ;

VIII.

Part

proved
for the

refer to river fish""

are
The hypothesis that fish" we
specifically
animals
is
other
as
are,"
female,
and
the
of
male
the
conjunction
by
produced
No sexual conjunction takes place.
naturalists.
rejected by all eminent modern
the male fish fecundates
by
or
The female fish deposits her spawn
ova, which
year

1754.

136
I
or

might say

worse,

of your

of

more

but
this,

it

might be thoughtcuriosity

shall therefore forbear it ; and take up so much

attention as to tell you, that the best of pikes are
and

next, those

to be in rivers ;

noted

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

in great

the worst, in small ponds.

But before I proceedfarther,I

ponds or

meres

and
is

the

great antipathybetwixt

this may

to

appear

the

pike and some

frogs: and
of Dubravius,a bishop in

reader

in his book

Bohemia, who,

"

Of

Fish

with his
he says he saw
to tell the reader,which
was

what
forbear

he and

"As

to tell you, that there

am

and

lates
reFish-ponds,"'"

eyes, and

own

could

not

"

Thurzo

the

were
Bishop
walking by a large
pond in Bohemia, they saw a frog,when the pike lay very
and quietby the shore side,leapupon his head ; and
sleepily
the frog having expressedmalice or anger
by his swollen
cheeks and staring
eyes, did stretch out his legsand embraced

the

reached
head, and presently
pike's
with

moved

them

with

his

and

teeth,those

to his eyes, tearing

tender

parts : the pike

the water, and

up and down
and whatever
he thought might

anguish,moves
againstweeds

rubs himself

them

quithim

of his enemy ; but all in vain,for the frogdid continue

to ride triumphantly,
the pike,
and to bite and torment

tillhis

and
strengthfailed,

to the bottom

again at

then the

of the water

the

top

and

; then
croaked,and

frogsunk

with

the
presently
seemed

to

the

pike
frogappeared
rejoicelike a

he presentlyretired to his secret

conqueror ; after which
hole.
The
bishop,that had beheld the battle,called his

emitting upon it his spawn or milt. The reader will remark, that
already said, at the beginning of this chapter, of pike, "'Tisnotto
but that they are
not."
bred, some
In
by generation, and some
A
he and she-pike will usually go together out
:
of
passage

Walton
be
the

"

"

some

over

ditch
her

himself

creek,and

jjresent

river

into

there

the spawner
casts her eggs, and the milter hovers
all that time she is casting her spawn,
but touches lier not"
he sets
of
of pike re-production.
One
right, and gives the real process
or

"

Walton's

is, that he places such

greatest errors
German
day called learned writers, particularly
ralists in

indulge

has

doubted

in

his

time

as

day-dreams

they
about

are

the

now,

and

abnormal

confidence
ones.

in what

They

for the excellent

habits

and

were

in

were

bad

as

that

reason

his

natu~

they

singular instincts of

of trying to account
for them
actual,
by facts derived from
Tudesque theories about river-fish are the vaguest imaginable ;.
his own
and if Walton
had relied more
on
experience and good sense, than
the dreaminess
of Gesner, and similar gohe-mouche naturalists,
on
the
Complete
of conveying to credulous
readers
Angler" would not have been the medium
statements
concerning the habits offish, birds, and quadrupeds,as sillyas tliey
are
opposed to all the recognisedlaws of nature.
Ed.]

animalia, instead

observation.

The

"

"

Translated

into

English

in 1599,

by George Churchey,

of

Lyon's

Inn.

THE

to fetch his

fishermen

137

ANGLER.

nets,and

declare

they might

that

COMPLETE

what

by
had

all

to

means

happened :

get the pike

and

the

pike

forth,and both his eyes eaten out ; at which

when
they began to wonder, the fisherman wished them to
certain that pikeswere
forbear,and assured them he was
drawn

was

often

served."

so

this,which is to be read in the sixth chapterof the

"
It was
first book of Dubravius, unto
who replied,
a friend,
I told

as

Bat

he did not

the Dahuatians
as

to have the

improbableas

wouderful

scratch out the cat'seyes."

which
there be fishingfrogs,

mouse

consider,that
of which I might tell you
call the water-devil,
story; but I shall tell you, that 'tisnot to be

doubted,but that there be

frogsso fearful
a placein which

some

of the water-

they fear to
snake,that,when they swim in
into their mouths,
with him, they then get a reed across
meet
the frogfrom the
which, if they two meet by accident,secures
strengthand malice of the snake ; and note, that the frog
usuallyswims the fastest of the two.
let me
tell you, that as there be water and land-frogs,
And
there be land and water snakes.
so
Concerning which, take
this

observation,that the land-snake

breeds

her

hatches

and

old dunghill,
or
a
eggs, which become
young snakes,in some
like hot place
; but the water-snake,which is not venomous,
and, as I have been assured by a great observer of such secrets,
does not

she

not

of

hatch, but breed her young alive,which

ttien forsake,but bides with them, and in case

will take

them

her mouth

into

swim

and

away

does

danger

from

any
she

againwhen

apprehended danger,and then let them out

thinks all dangerto be passed; these be accidents that we
anglerssometimes
see, and often talk of
lost myself,
I had almost
But whither am
by
I going ]

rememberingthe
stop here,and
catch the
His

where

according to

feedingis usuallyof
think

some

tell you,

none

fish

or

how
promise,

to

pikes are
have

been

and

that

those

ponds,and [theythink]that

feeds them

and
frogs,

sometimes

weed, of which I told you

pickerelobserved,that
bred ; for they have
there
put into ponds,yet they have
in
weed
there has been plentyof that

many,

breed

my

called

own

found
and

I will therefore

of Dubravius.

pike.

of his

weed

discourse

but

whether

as
by generation

of men
disquisitions

of

the
more

those

that

weed

pikesso

both

breeds

bred will

ever

the
others do, I shall leave
curiosityand leisure than I
to

138

THE

COMPLETE

myselfto
profess

have

is fixed

or

shall

and

pike,either

may fish for a

bait ; and you are

you

which

ANGLER.

with

note, that

call that

made

to rest in

one

certain

it ; and

walkingledger-bait,

ledger or

to

shall be absent from

tell you, that

proceed to

I call that

placewhen you
which
walking-bait

in motion.
ever
Concerning
you, and have
that your ledgerwhich two, I shall give you this direction,
bait is best to be a livingbait (thougha dead one
may catch),
them
it be a fish or a frog : and that you may make
whether

take with

you

:
may, or indeed you must, take this course
live-bait. Of fish,a roach or dace is, I

live the

longer,
you
for
First,
your

think, best and

lived

on

hook

;)and

sharp,and

back, cut or make

put the arming-wire

the

may

an

the head

between

such

or
incision,

hook

of your

his

must

you

longest

bacli,which
take your knife,

oif his fin on

having cut

hurtinghim,

may be done without

which cannot be too
on

is the

tempting(anda perch

most

and
scar,

it,with

into

the fin
as

as

you
little

will enable
bruisingor hurtingthe fish as art and diligence
you to do ; and so carryingyour arming-v/ire along his back,
the tail of your fish,
between
the skin and the
body of it,draw out that wire or arming of your hook at
another scar
tie him about it with
to his tail : then
near
unto

or

near

thread,but

no

harder

than

of

necessityto prevent hurting

avoid hurtingthe fish,
have
some

the fish ; and the better to

of probe to open the way, for the
a kind
and passage of your wire or arming : but
and

words
but

littleexperience
will teach
; therefore I will for the
next

come

hook

with

giveyou

to

you

more

for

as

directions

no

entrance

these,time

than

better

present say

some

easy

more

how

can

of

by
this,

to bait your

frog.

/^"Ven. But, good Master,did you not say even

now, that
and is it not
some
frogsare venomous,
dangerousto touch
them

?
Yes

Fisc.

them.
kinds

of

fiesh and
and
and

I will

; but

And

giveyou
first,
you are

to

rules

on

or

cautions

note, that there

frogs; that is to say, if I may so

I mean
a fish-frog
: by fiesh-frogs,

the land ; and

of several colours,some

live

some

express

are

cerning
con-

two

myself,a

frogsthat breed

of these there be several sorts

some
being speckled,

also,

greenish,

some
or
: the green
frog,which is a small
is by Topselltaken to be venomous,
and so is the
one,
padock or frogpadock,which usuallykeepsor breeds on the

blackish

land,and

is very

brown

and bony
large,

and

the
big,especially

she-

COMPLETE

THE

139

ANGLEE.

frogof

that kind ; yet these will sometimes

come
is
and
but
not
it
often
the land-frogs
water,
are
;
them observed by him to breed by laying
eggs, and
breed of the slime and

theyturn

to slime

slime returns

in my
think

again,and

be

earth,and

that the next

the
of

some

others to

that in winter
that very

summer

livingcreature

a
; this is the opinionof
Cardanus'" (inhis tenth book De Suhtilitate)
takes
under-

Pliny,and

to

give a

to

dust of the

into

for the

reason

power, it should

rain

rainingof frogs:

but ifit were

bub

for those I
water-frogs,
not venomous,
the rightwater-frog,
which
are
especially
about February or March
breeds in ditches by slime, and
blackish eggs in that slime,about which time of breedingthe
he and
and

observed

are
she-frogs

to croak and make

frog,never

does.

fish with

that you

can

Now

frogfor

from

of these

pike,you

get,for that the

the middle

divers

use

the

summersaults,

or padockland-frog,

if you
water-frogs,
choose

to

are

likes best.

pike

ever

continue

the

longalive

mouth, which

you

intend to

yellowest
And

thus

may
then

easilydo

till August ; and

the frog's
mouth
grows up, and he continues so for at least six months
but is sustained none
without eating,
is
but He whose name

Wonderful

of

to

noise,which

that he may
your frog,
Put your hook into his

use

none

April

I say,
wire, throughhis mouth
arming-

then with
with
the
in

know^s how

fine needle and

only one

as

little

as

silk

put

your
and out

hook, I
at his

the

mean

gills
; and

the upper part of his leg,

to the armingwire of your hook ; or tie
stitch,

above
frog's
leg,
him
so doing,
use

him

the upper
as

you

sew

the

to
joint,

arming-wire; and,

though you loved him,t that is,harm

live the
that he may
possibly,
may

longer.
And

your

now,

havinggiven you

with
ledger-hook

this direction for the

live fish or

J my
frog,

baiting

next must

be to

Hieronymus
Cardanus, an Italian physician,naturalist,and astrologer,
It is
157C.
he has published : he died at Rome
works
by the many
it
said that he had foretold the day of his death, and
when
approached,
that,
*

well-known

to die of hunger to preserve

his reputation. H.
this
is
It
with
the
instructions
expression,
t
given in the paragraph,on which
doubt
and no
gave
is mainly founded
the charge of cruelty against Walton,

he suffered himself

rise to the lines of

"

"

Byron

That
Should

so

frequentlyquoted

"

quaint, old, cruel coxcomb, in his gullet

have a hook, and a small trout to pull it."
"

the best"
the

"Ed.

used

The

is now
for fishingfor barbel.

X Ledger-hook.

name

appliedto
In

my

Don
a

notes

Juaiw'' canto

certain
about

xiii.

sort of apparatus
the end of chapter
"

14th, wliich treats of the barbel, the ledger-hookor line is fully described.

140
how

tell you

it is thus

be not

hook

your

thus baited must

your hook
long,should not

fastened

Having

fourteen

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

yards

or

to

be

be

used,and
a line,
which, if it
less than twelve,
may

to a hole where
to fasten that line to any bough near
then wind
to lie,
or to have a haunt, and
pikeis,or is likely
are

you
a

all your line,

except half a yard
your line on any forked stick,
that forked stick with such a
and split
of it,or rather more,
nick

of it

more
as

notch

or

at

bignessas
stick under

may keepthe line from any

the stick than so much
of it

as

about

from
ravelling

your forked stick to be of that

the forked
the fish or frogfrom pulling

choose

intend ; and

you

of it

end

one

may keep
the water

and

pike bites ;

tillthe

having pulledthe line forth of the cleft

then

the

pike

nick of that stick

or

gentlyfastened,he will have line enough to

go to his hold and pouchthe bait ; and if you would have this
undisturbed
to keep at a fixed place,
by wind or
ledger-bait

in which

other

was

which
accidents,

to

are

it

may

note,that it is likeliest to catch

the

of anchor

pikein

the midst

of

small

then hang a
water,)
pieceof tile,or a turf in

the

with

drive it to the shore- side,(for

you

plummet of lead,a stone, or

and cast it into the water
a
string,
forked stick,
to hang upon
the ground,to be a kind
to keep the forked stick from
moving out of your

intended

This I take to be a very

placetillthe pikecome.
as
good way, to use so many ledger-baits
you intend to make
trial of.
Or if you
in

windy

bait your hooks

day,fasten them
the

straw, and
across

and

see

by
pond

or

sport

helpof

thus

that

to

wind

bough

can

you are
presentlyif there

the
must

be

get them

she chased

down

over
or

taughtyou by

move

pikes: or
the body

pond

four

and

live baits

bottles of

whilst you walk

a river,
stillin expectationof

are

to

of

the shore

be

the like may be done with turning three

thus fastened to bladders,or boughs,or

shore,and

bundle

or

any store of
sport,being tied about

live baits may make

wings of a goose or duck,and

to swim
flags,

and
frogs,

or

like to stand stillon

mere,

these
or

live fish

thus with

hay

or

alone
quietly

on

sport.

The

for time will not allow

practice,

rest
me

to

of this kind of fishing

with live baits.
say more
And
for your dead bait for a pike,for that you may be
with me, or any other
taught by one day'sgoing a fishing
body that fishes for him, for the baitingyour hook with a
dead

gudgeon

water, is

too

or

easy

roach,and
a

the
it up and down
thingto take up any time to direct you

moving

COMPLETE

THE

141

ANGLER.

I cut you short

to do it ; and yet, because
for it by telling
commute
you that that was
secret

it is this

Dissolve
your dead
and when

common

lain

short

time

top of the water, and

likelythat

have

you

that
affirm,

some

of
thigh-bone

These

at the

bottom, draw

it

up the stream, and it is

pikefollow with more than
so

have

an

tried

by

to roast

choicelygood,for I have
better for not
being common

tried

take this

that

caution,that

is,it must

be

him

when

; but with

the

which
keep his liver,
and
sweet-marjoram,
pickledoysters,and

belly;

out

he is

my

friend

caught is

direction
be

the
you

small one,
yard,and should be bigger.

pikemust

your

by

me

it is somewhat

and
First,open your pikeat the gills,

littleslit towards

of

marrow

courtesy; but if this

no
good,yet I am
you

it,and

than half

more

told

but

me,

certain this direction how

must

with the

is a great temptation
to any fish.
hern,'"'

been

not

bait anointed

any

of note, that pretendedto do me

direction to catch a pike thus do

for

me

eagerness.

And
the

told

it has

than

more

that,I will

of ivy in oil of spike,and therewith anoint

gum
and then cast it into a likely
bait for a pike,
place,

the

towards

in

of

not

if need

be, cut also

these take his guts and

you are to shred very small with thyme,

a littlewinter-savory
: to these put some

anchovies,two or three,both these

last whole ; for the anchovies will melt,and the oystersshould
add also a pound of sweet butter,
not : to these you
must
which you are to mix with the herbs that are shred,and let
all be well salted

them
then
he

some

if the

pikebe

into these herbs

put
you may
be less,then less butter

than

more

more

yardlong,
if
a pound, or
these being thus
a

than

will suffice ;

be put into the

of mace, must
belly,and then his bellyso sewed up, as to keep all the
pike's
of it
if it be possible
butter in his belly,
: if not, then as much
mixed

with

blade

or

two

can
; but take not off the scales : then you are
you possibly
out at his tail ; and then
to thrust the spitthroughhis mouth
and a
sticks or very thin laths,
take four,or five,or six split
to be
convenient quantityof tape or filleting
: these laths are
as

tied round

doubt

No

of fish,and
more

nugget.
"

the

Walton

means

pike's
body from

Ed.

Anointing any fish dead-bait

if possible,
than
superfluous,

his head to his

bird,thc heron,

the well-known

hence, apparently,the notion

attraction.
fish,is

about

that

its marrow

had

and
tail,

great destroyer

some

odoriferous

for pike or for perch, or any

gildingthe purest Australian

other

gold

142
tlie

tape tied somewhat

off from

often

the

basted

and
together,

ing
prevent his breakingor fall-

thick to
let him

spit:

with

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

roasted

be

what

fallsfrom

moisture

and
leisurely,

and butter mixed

anchovies

claret v/ine and

also with

very

into the

him

you are to hold

pan : when
you have roasted him sufficiently,
under him, when
cut the tape that ties him,
or
you unwind
such a dish as you purpose to eat him out of ; and let him fall
into it with
the

means

the

sauce

pike wdll

that is roasted

in his

kept unbroken

and

be

belly;

and

by

this

complete: then, to

in the pan,
within, and also that sauce
you are to add a fit quantityof the best butter,and to squeeze
either put
the juiceof three or four oranges : lastly,
you may
and take
cloves of garlick,
into the pike with tlie oysterstwo

the

which

sauce

it whole
sauce

was

out, when

haut-goutlet

be rubbed

with

pike is

the

it

cut

off the

spit;

or

to

givethe

you let the pikefall

using of this garlickis

the dish into which

the

using or

not

left to your discretion.

M. B.
This dish of meat
is too good for any but anglers,
or
very
therefore
honest men
will
I
and
and
trust
;
you
prove both,
"

\l

have
Let

trusted
me

next

you

with

this secret.

tell you,

that

Gesner

tells

us

there

are

no

in the lake Thrasyare

pikesin Spain; and that the largest
in Italy; and
the next, if not equal to them, are the
mene
pikesof England ; and that in England,Lincolnshire boasteth
to have the biggest. Just so doth Sussex
boast of four sorts
of lish ;

namely, an
ShelseyCockle,and
But

but
Low

I will take up

Arundel
an
no

a
JMullet,

Amerley
more

proceed to give you some

to angle for him, and

Chichester

Lobster, a

Trout.

of your time with this relation ;

of the Carp, and
observations
till he is
to dress him, but not

"cauG^ht.

GOf.OJi-EOOK

COMPLETE

THE

14S

ANGLER.

[Thereis no fish better known to London anglersthan the jack and

the pike weighs less than 41bs. it is .technically
called in
pike. When
that
Its
vernacular
above
right
weight a pike.
England a jack;
name,
it is called Usox
however, at all ages and sizes is pike. Scientifically
it
thus
describes
Dr.
:
body, olive above, with
Fleming
Lucius, and
yellowspots; beneath white, with black spots; body of nearlyan equal
"

the dorsal and

behind
thickness, suddenlydecreasing

painted
years ago
admired and copied. Here
extensively
fish I

notorious
been

called

some

trusted

than

of us, better known

many

*'

well-known

treated.

or

He

unsociable,tyrannising
savage, and is hated like a Blue
body girds at him with spear, gaft,hook, net, snare,

powder

has

He

shot.

and

not

in

friend

Of this

fancy miniature,which has

it is.
The pike,commonly

weight,is a

41bs. in

31bs. or

under

jack,when

anal fins.

is

greedy,

Beard.
and

world.

the

fish ; like

Every
with

even

The

horrible

of his maw.
standing,
Notwithinvented for the torment
specially
into
immense
his
strength,
fights
grows
way vigorously,
despitehis many enemies, and lives longerthan his greatestfoe,man.
most
His voracityis unbounded
accomplishedcorporate
; and, like the
officers,he is nearly omnivorous, his palate giving the preference

gorge

hook

is

he

digestion
; and
La

he

Trapxje
"

he jjossesses a qualitythat would have been valuable

fast without inconvenience for a se'nnight.He
can

gorge himself then to

He
of the stomach.

comely

diminished

one

admirers.

His

beyond the

his

"

ostrich

if he

would

hide

and

green
He

devours

his

dread.

the children
(foreating)

appetite;
more

cold

anecdotes

own

of

about any other denizen of

I believe for the most
ferocity

our

No

always a-hungered. He will digesta

It requiresa largefish to
half an hour.
action

action, or arrest the

therefore there

occurs

The

can

means

many

object of
children ; but, strangeto say,
his
his neighbours. Heat spoils
There
constitution."
are
pike

fresh waters.

part.

no

attract

him

small
be

Those

that

wonder

an

this furious fish

and

in written

juices.
gastric
dissolving

by

"

would

I envy the
about
oral circulation,

sharpensit.

than

muscular

head

his

intemperate habits, however, render

disgustand

at

slightest
derangement
combined.
His
body is

silver vesture

likes better

his

the

M^thout
gills
and

is shark

at ; and

look

to

interferes with

Dyspepsianever

fish,flesh,and fowl.

to

however,

relative to his
he

should

be

trout

in

roach,dace, or

pouchedto

of his most

rascal's stomach

render

torpidhis
rapidly

stronglyand
is

rarelyempty,

and

of nutritious matter
a largeabsorption
continually

rapid growth and largesize of pike. In

the salmon is a greatereater than the pike. But he feeds
my opinion
and unobserved, and does not gobble
with a prettiermouth, silently
the
with avid eyes and crunchingjaws like the pike,so nobody notices
manner.
puts away'' in a gentlemanlike^
large quantityof food he
preted,
interwhich,
being
The salmon is a. (gourmet,the pike is a gourmand;
the
latter
that the former is a nice,though a largefeeder ;
means
be a Beau
would
one
of garbage. The
a gluttonousmuncher, even
into the

system.

the

Hence

"

Brummel

at

table,the
Frederick

other

Dr.

the Second's

the

storyof

the

precedingchapter,nor

Samuel

Johnson.

pikementioned

do I believe Mr.

I do not

believe

in the second page

of

story following
Seagrave's

344

the other," that he hath known

of his

(tame)otters for

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

in
pilce,

bringingout of the water."

If

extreme

hunger,fightwith one
caught,and was then

the otter had

carp, that

so
pike were
fool-hardyas to make
have
dropped the lesser carp, and
any such assault,the otter
capturedand with the greatestease the biggerand best prize
speedily
the pike. I believe that the largestpike ever
caught in the British Isles
that caught many
about
was
years ago, and the weight of which was
a

would

"

921bs.,in

the river

familyseat of the

Shannon, by

Marquis

visitors at

some

of Clanricarde.

Portumna

Castle,the

pike that
than
his
Grove, of Bond-st.,
Christopher
weighed more
and Mr. Sweeting,of Cheapside,
cousin,Mr. T. Grove, of Charing-cross,
tell me
all celebrated fishmongers,
they have frequentlyDutch pike
and
sometimes
of
401bs.,
reaching501bs.
weighingupwards
There are many methods of angling for pike. I shall describe the
best. The easiest,
instances the best,is called
simplest,and in many
with a live fish-bait a gudgeon,
sinkingand roving." It is practised
trout.
For
or
a
dace,roach,
largepike, dace, roach, or trout,weighing
6oz. is not too big a bait. As a generalrule,largefish will not trouble
themselves with small baits. In sinkingand roving you pass your hook
throughthe skin,takingin a little of the flesh,by the side and at the
never

saw

Mr.

331bs. ; but

'*

"

root of the dorsal fin of your

one
yard and a half of stout

down

the bait to within

your line is to be
the very bottom,
you have
stout and

live bait.

The

gimp, which

foot

or

hook

is to be

to

to

keep

of the water.

On

largecork float,to prevent the bait from sinkingto

and to tell you when
or
swimming about too freely,
run."
rod must
Your
be
a bite,or
speakinga
technically
and
consist
must
80
winch
line
of
of
strong,
yards strong,
your
a

"

plattedsilk line,preparedwith oil and

for pike. The
spinningor trolling
about here and

Let it swim

you have

and when

varnish.

"

Such

line will
bait the

livelyyour

more

run"

do not strike

to it,then

be

"
"

the

do

to

so

the

by

headforemost

in

accordingto

the middle, then

and
his mouth

the state of his

swims
then

appetite.

pike

run

check.

bait, and

vigorously.When
quiveringmotion

when

you

see

spot where

greatnumber
know, by the

you
direction of the line,the jackis lying,you should forbear from
bait."
it being a certain sign that he has not pouched your
seizes its prey

better.

of trees,

without

pouch"

"

answer

that the bait is pouched. On

sure

you may
the contrary,as Capt. Williamson
says :
the
of very small bubbles risingfrom

roots

instantly. Let

you nmst strike your fish smartly and playhim

and
has
line is suddenly slackened a little,

communicated

there, by aquaticplantsand

off with the bait,givinghim line to enable him

In from five to ten minutes he will swallow or
the

attached

heavilyleaded

of the bottom

two

for

then

is to be

off with
swallows
Pike

striking,
A

it, rapidlyor
sometimes

seem

pike

it,to its lair,turns

to

it

slowly
playin

crueltywith the fish they have seized,as cats do with

mice.
Taylor in an old,and, as far as it goes good, treatise on angling,
he has seized the bait, run
The pikewill,as soon
as
to his
writes :
it
allow
swallow
five minutes to do so
hold to pouch or
him, therefore,
;

sheer wanton
"

"

the
(unless

line slackens before that

and then
alreadydone it),

strike.

time, which
But

is

signalthat

if after he has

run

he has

off with the

THE

bait,he makes

]45

ANGLER.

CQMPLETE

scarcely
any staywith

it at his hold,but goes off with it

again,you should not strike until he has rested a second time, allowing
him still about five minutes ; but if he should run
oft'a third time before
and strike him instantly.'*
the five minutes
draw a tightline,
are
expired,
There

method

is another

tie two

of

called
pike-fishing,

"

snap" fishing.You

back, with their barbs pointingdifferent

largehooks, back
Near
of
the
their
shanks
top
ways.
you tie a small hook, which is to be
inserted by the root of the dorsal fin of the live bait,and the two large
hooks are to lie down
by the side of the bait,their bends not extending
below the bellyof the dace or roach you fish with, but justeven
with it.
When
have
allow
time
for
but
strike
diately.
immea
no
pouching,
run,
you
There is another
called
the
hook,
spring-snap,*'
shaped like
but the backs of the hooks are held togetherby means
the latter,
of a
when
is
w
hich
fish
and
then
hooks
both
a
struck,
gives
spring,
spring
suddenlyand stronglyout, and fix themselves inside the mouth of the
is generally
used with a dead bait,a roach being
pike. The spring-snap
the best one for the purpose.
The snap-hooksare put in requisition
in
and earlyautumn
the summer
of
when
fish
months,
pike,findingplenty
food in the rivers,
in pursuitof the angler's
lures. If
are not very pressing
them
seize
often
them
without
then, they
pike
reject
pouching,so
to

"

that it is necessary

snap-hooks.
Trollingwith

to strike

immediately.Hence

the

invention

ot

the

for pike,are the two most

or
gorge-hook,
spinning
for
him.
I
have
is to
explainedhow spinning
angling
in my remarks
he practised
at the end of Chapter V., on
trout-fishing.
^,

artisticalways

of

Spinningfor trout,pike,perch,and

salmon

The spinning-flight
of hooks
way.
that used for the captureof trout.

is done

in

the
precisely

same

for

pike must be double the size of

with the gorgeTrollingis practised
of which see the end of this chapter. The
hook, for a representation
and whip
fashioned
thus :
Take two eel-hooks,
or
are
hooks,
gorge-hook,
them back to back, with their pointsoutside : to their shanks attach a
length of twisted wire, loopedat the end. From three to four inches of
and over
it for about two inches,beginningat the
wire will be sufficient,
"

inside of the bends

the hook
no

-bend,and

thicker than

sink the bait.

of the

hooks, fix

some

lead,rounded and thick near

the wire,until it becomes

taperingoff*graduallydown

it.

There

To the

should not be

loopedend

is necessary to
gimp a foot long

lead than

more

of the wire

link of

ing-needle,
should be attached,the end of which is to be placedin the eye of a baitwhose pointis to be passed in at the mouth of the bait-fish,
link to, and the wire and
lead on it will pass into the fish-bait,
until their progress is arrested by
of the bait.
the bends of the hooks stopped at the angles of the mouth
Your
downwards.
The barbs of the hooks must
point upwards, never
is to be looped on to a gimp trace of
link,with its baited gorge-hook,
and out at the middle

about

of the tail.

yard in length,with

and the trace is to be

The

be
it
"

swivels

the

on

it, eighteeninches apart,

silk winch-line
preparedplatted
in
feet
from ten to twelve
length,with a few
large enough to admit easilythe top of the

looped on

should
trolling-rod

largerings upon
forefinger.The rod
very

two

Draw

should be

your

very stout,and
K

elastic;
slightly

its butt

146
made

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

and its top

of hickory,
of well-seasoned ash, its two middle pieces
The winch,
six
inches
whalebone.
of
with
about
cane, tipped

of bamboo

capableof holdingeightyyardsof line,should

one.

For

Fairservice is the best maker.

always use

one

size of the rod

Angling,"I

be

salmon

London-made

and

trout

check

fly-fishing,

of his check winches, varying its size accordingto

In a " Handbook
1 use, and the fish I angle for.

the
of

is to be handled.
described how the trolling-rod
briefly
ofl*your winch
must
unroll
cast
To
your
your gorge-bait,

have

I say in it :

"

"

you want to reach the distance you intend to cast to.

fall in free coils by your feet on the left side. Take the
line must
The
upper part of the coiled line in your left hand, drawing the bait within
with your
a yard or a little less of the point of your rod, which
lifting
as

much

line

as

being proppedagainstyour rightflank,throw upwards

and forwards to your rightor left if you are
pond or lake fishing,
and down stream if you are river fishing
and across
; and, simultaneously
in
with the throw or cast,lettingfree the line
your left hand, the bait
all the coiled portionof the
will be carried,if well and boldlyprojected,
to that spot of the river you wish
line running throughthe ringsfreely,
calculated the length
to reach,providedalways that you have accurately
and uncoiled it off"your winch, and coiled it at your feet
of line required,
bait having entered the water, keep it at about a distance
The
accordingly.
of one-third the whole depth,ifthe water be deep,from the bottom,
but generally
speaking at mid- water in moderately deep places,and
and
drawingin your line with the left hand by short and gentlepulls,
and
to
rod's
in
the
the
bait
same
direction,
point
give
try
moving your

righthand,

an

the butt

if not
attractive,

natural

Do

motion.

lift your bait out of the water

until

of emergency,
it close to you.
seizes it almost at your feet.

not, unless in

you

case

worked

have

follows the bait and

pike very frequently
and
moving with each cast, until you
casting,
Repeat your cast,
go on
Your first cast should be into
have left no portionof the water untried.
further out, and lastly,
water
of
the
then
to
nearest
those parts
as
you,

far to the other side of the water

throw.
When
as you can
you have a
with
ofl"
time
to
the
fish
move
run, let
gorge it, and
your bait,giiing
for
strike,and act as directed in my remarks on " sinkingand roving''
fair and sportsman-like
mode of capturingpike,
pike. There is one more
imitation
of the dragon-fly.
viz.,with a largeartificialfly a gigantic
of
it
makes
to perfection.It is to be
Mr. Blacker,
Dean-street,Soho,
"

throughthe

worked

ponds and

lakes,in

like the

water

mild, sombre

Ireland and Scotland

than

and
salmon-fly,

windy

in the waters

weather.
of

should be used in
It

pools,

better in

answers

England.

the

of

pike are
deep,still pools of rivers,bordered with
and other
water -Hlies,
willow trees,and having beds of bulrushes,flags,
flne
weather
they lie just outside these beds, or a
aquaticplants. In
haunts

The

littlewithin them,

they lie on
largelakes
in

sources

they are
absent

so

the bait should

these rotten

plants,and

in Ireland abound

bogs.

Many

in the
plentiful

from the

with

be worked

in sheltered

pike,as

of Norfolli and

rivers
sluggish

that

run

by.

In

winter,

deeps. Nearly all

do the rivers that

of the lochs of Scotland

meres

close

teem

Suffolk.

throughour

with

They

the

have their

them,
are

and

never

flat counties,such

147

ANGLEB.

COMPLETE

THE

and Nottinghamshire.
Leicestershire,
Lincolnshire,
Northamptonshire,
and
ahsent from those
do
not
are
rivers,
happily
They
fancy rapid

as

streams, the habitats of the salmon

mountainous
many

Thames,

in the
good pike-pools

Sonning,but the best pike-waternear

Buckinghamshire.Ed .]

and

trout.

There

are

all the

way up from Hampton to

London
is the Tring reservoir,
in

"

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

; WITH

CARP

THE

ON

FISH

IX.

FOR

DIRECTIONS

HOW

TO

HIM.

[JFourtf)
Bat).]
Pisc. The

is the queen of rivers ; a stately,

a
good,
not
and a very subtle fish ; that was
at firstbred,nor
hath
naturalised.
It is said,
been long in England,but is now
hither
brought
by one Mr. Mascal, a gentleman
they were

Carp

Plumsted,in Sussex,a county that

that then lived at

with

more

fish than

You

may
pikesin

no

hundred
in

or

any
that I told you Gesner says there are
and doubtless there was
a
a time,about

remember

Spain:
a

few

years ago, when

to be affirmed

more

England,

as

in whose

"

may seem
Chronicle" you

Hops

and

Came

into

as
doubtless,

And

w^ter,and

of the

own

proper
more

by

find these

turkeys,carps
England all in

of sea-fish the

and
a

no

were

Sir Kichard
verses

carps

Baker,

beer,

year.

herring dies

soonest

out

fish,the trout,so, except the

hardness,and lives longestout of
the reportof the
And, therefore,

most

element.

beingbroughtout
carp's
is the

may

there

of fresh-water

eel,the carp endures

his

abounds

in this nation.

of

country into
foreign

this nation

probable.

Carps and loaches

are

observed

to breed

several months in

pikesand most other fish do not. And this

is partly
proved by tame and wild rabbits ; and also by some
ducks, which will lay eggs nine of the twelve months ; and
yet there be other ducks that lay npt longer than about one
one

year, which

month.
shall

scarce

And
or

female without

believed,because you
take a male carp without a melt,and a
the most part,very
or
spawn, and for

it is the
never
a

roe

rather

k2

to

be

148

COMPLETE

THE

muchj and

all
especially
that they breed

the

observed

more

ANGLEK.

summer

And

season.

naturallyin ponds

running waters, if they breed there

''that live in rivers are taken by men

all; and

at

of the best

it is

than

that

in

those

palatesto

be

the better meat.

much

it is observed,that in

And

ponds carps will not breed,

they will breed theybreed

some

in cold ponds;but where

especially
innumerably: Aristotle and Plinysay six times in a year, if
there be no pikesor pearchto devour their spawn, when
it is
it lies ten or twelve
cast upon grass, or flags,
or weeds, where

it be enlivened.

days before

carp, if he

The
to

much

very
above

writ

of

great

water

and

room

good feed,will

grow
I
liave
be
to
heard,
length;
long.'^It is said by Jovius,who hath

bigness and

yard

that in the lake

fishes,
to be

thriven

have

Italy,carps have
fifty
pounds weight; which is the

than

more

Lurian

in

for as the bear is conceived

and born suddenly,
probable,
and beingborn, is but short-lived,
so, on the contrary,

more

elephantis

the

said to be two

he is ten

think

in

years

in his dam's

belly,some
in bigness

it,and

being born, grows

years
and
it
is
observed,too,that he lives to the age
twenty years ;
And
it is also observed that the croof a hundred
codile
years.
is very

long life he

and
long-lived,

than

that,that all that

I think some
carps do,

more

thrives in

bigness;and so
above
in some
saw
one
places; though I never
especially
a
twenty-threeinches,wliich was
great and a goodlyfish ;
but have been assured there are of a far greatersize,
and in
Enojland too.t

Now,
so

the increase of carps is wonderful

for their number,
there is not a reason
I
found out, think, by any, why
as

they should
nature

same

breed

in

ponds,and

some

for soil and

all other

not

of the

in others

circumstances.

And

as

their

decays also very mysterious: I

been told by a gentleman of tried
have both
has
he
known
honesty,that
sixtyor more
largecarps put
to
of the
several
into
a
house,where, by reason
ponds near
to
stakes in the ponds,and the owner's constant
being near
breeding,so

their

read

The

me,

that

served
t The

up

are

it,and

David
Garrick,of Druiy-lane Theatre, once told
of a carx3
the head
country, Germany, she had seen
H.
table, big enough to fill a large dish.

v.-idovv of the late Mr.

in
at

her

author

native

"

of the

"

Angler's

Sure

twenty-six inches long in rivers

England above thirtyinches long.
above

Guide"
;

and

says, tliat he

adds, that they

has
are

taken

often

seen

carp
in

them, it

he

when

that

and

they should
impossible

v/as

149

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

has, after three

be stole away
or

four years,

from

him

emptied the

pond,and expectedan increase from them by breedingyoung

ones
(forthat they might do so, he had, as the rule is,put in
three melters for

he has, I
spawner),

one

years, found neither

the like I have known

four
And

nor

young
of

say, after three or

old carp remaining.

that

one

had

almost

watched

of the
pond, and at a like distance of time,at the fishing
pond, found, of seventy or eightylargecarps, not above five
six ; and that he had forborne longerto fish the said pond,
or
but that he saw, in a hot day in summer,
a largecarp swim
with a frogupon his head ; and
the top of the water
near
that occasion,caused his pond to be let dry :
that he, upon
and I say, of seventy or eightycarps, onlyfound five or six in
the said pond, and those very sick and lean,and with every
so"fast on the head of the said carps, that
one
a frogsticking

the

without

frog would not be got off

killing.And the gentleman that
the

he

me

it ; and

saw

thought the other carps, that

killed by the frogs,and
so

that he

believe the same,

strangelylost,were

so

or

did affirm this to me, told

his belief to be, and I also

declare

did

force

extreme

were

then

devoured.
And
assured
like

person of honour, now

he had seen
a necklace

a
me

chain

or

necklace

collar of

or

about

of beads

it be for meat

; whether

kill him

livingin Worcestershire,
a

neck, and
pike's

malice

or

tadpoles,
hang
be to

must

to

me

question.
But

might

but it has

say more,

possibly
may

not

give you

three

and

fall upon

then

The
think

or

you be
four more

to

by

they live longer.

conclude

short

Palatinate

above

says,
a

I shall therefore
of the carp,
shall fish for him.

you

Bacon,

to be but

Gesner

observations

Sir Francis

Death," observed

to live in the

considerable

directions how

some

age of carps is

of Life and

by accident,of which I
proved longertlian I intended,and

fallen into this discourse

am

ten
a

carp

hundred

in his

years ;

has been

years

that,contrary to the pike or luce, all

better for age and

bigness. The

History
yet others
*'

:"

but

carps

tongues of carps

known

are

most

are

the

noted

of August, 1782, an
Lately,viz.,in one of the daily papers for the mouth
Emanuel
College,Cambridge,
at
that
in
the
bason
article appeared, purporting
water
thirty-six
years ; whicii,
in
that
that
had
been
then
living
was
a carp
its feeder.
constantly
approach,
would
and
had
lost
it
one
eye, knew,
though
"

"

H.

150
be

to

choice

and

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

to
meat, especially
costly

that

tliem

buy

:
says, carps have no tongue like other fish,
pieceof flesh-like fish in their mouth like to a tongue,

them

but Gesner

but

and

should

be called

it is certain

palate: but

it is

choicely

good ; and that the carp is to be reckoned amongst those

leather-mouthed
I told you have their teeth in
which
fish,
lost by
their throat,and for that reason
he is very seldom

breakinghis hold,if your

hook

be

stuck into his

once

chaps.

I told you that Sir Francis Bacon thinks that the carp lives
but ten years : but Janus
Dubravius
has writ a book, " Of
Fish

he says, that carps begin to

of three years, and continue to do so till

in
Fish-ponds,"

and

at the age

spawn

which

which
he says also,that in the time of their breeding,
both the earth and
hath warmed
is in summer,
when
the sun

thirty:

water, and
or

apted them

so

four male

also for

carps will follow

that
generation,

female

and

then three

then,she

that

puttingon a seeming coyness, they force her throughweeds

and flags,
where she lets fall her eggs or spawn, which sticks
fast to the weeds ; and then they let fall their melt upon it,
fish : and, as
and so it becomes
in a short time to be a living
I told you, it is thought that the carp does this several
most
in the year.
And
believe that most fish breed
after this manner,
except the eel. And it has been observed,

months

that when

spawn er
that
two
office,

natural
off the
her

seem

order them
and

made

their time

in such
their

as

honeycombs,and

king,and governedtheir
that

all carps are

breed other ways,
The

cost to make

and

manner

not
as

some

make
physicians

sides,and guarding

note, that though this

you may
worth
observing,yet others have

deep. And
not
curiosity

judged it worth

both

on

by doing that
helpedher from

herself

three melters have

or

weeds, by bearingher up

into the

may

has weakened

the

to

see

how

glasshives,and
bees have

how

theyhave obeyedtheir
But

commonwealth.

it is thought

by generation;but

bred

bred

that

some

pikesdo.
the

and
galls

stones

in the

heads

of

But it is not to be doubted

carps to be very medicinable.
of the spawn of carps
but that in Italythey make greatprofit
it to the Jews, who make it into red caviare ; the
by selling
Jews

not

beingby

their law admitted

to eat

of caviare made

sturgeon,that being a fish that wants scales and, as

in Lev. xi. 10, ^bythem
clean.
reputed to be unappear

of the
may

Much

"

"

more

might be

said out of

him, and

out of

Aristotle,

COMPLETE

THE

whicli Dubravius

often

but it might rather

shall rather
time

more

choose

151

quotes in his Discourse of Fishes

perplexthan satisfy
you

of any

to

circumstances

more

and therefore I
catch,than spend
:

direct you how to

either of the nature
in discoursing

Carp,or

of this

ANGLER.

the

or

breeding

him ; but
concerning

__^S-o5i^'*-*

yet I

shall remember

of what

you

I told you

before,that

he

and hard to be caught.

very subtle fish,
And
my firstdirection is,that if you will fish for a carp,
of patience
put on a very largemeasure
; especially
you must
is

a very good fisher angle

river-carp
; I have known
four or six hours in a day, for three or four days
diligently
for a river carp, and not have a bite. And
together,
you are

to fish for

to

note, that in

some

carp as in
theyhave store of feed,and the

ponds it is as

hard

to catch

river ; that is to say, where

I have
is of a clayish
water
colour ; but you are to remember
told you there is no rule without an exception; and therefore
being possessedwith that hope and patiencewhich I wish to
all fishers,
I shall tell you with
to the carp- angler,
especially
that it |
what bait to fish for him.
But first,
you are to know
tell you, that in hot I
be either earlyor late ; and let me
must
a

weather, for he

earlyor

will seldom

too late at it.

bite in

And

think

the

bluish

another
possibly
may
many

green
sorts

there

and
are

or

been

at

so

worm

too
as

to

for the

of

worms

best; but
well,and so

is

big may do as
there are
for pastes,

medicines

be

curious

paste; and

too
as

cannot

for carps.

day

meadow

or

not

worm

gentle;
as

marsh

have

some

say, the tenth of April is a fatal

The carp bites either at worms

cold,you

almost

toothache h; bu

152

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

pastes made with

pastes are best ; I mean
boney or witb sugar ; which, that you may the better beguile
in the pond or placein
should be thrown
this craftyfish,
which you fish for him, some
hours, or longer,before you
doubtless sweet

undertake

if it be
several

trial of skill with

your

the water

into

thrown

in small

times,and

the

angle-rod;
day or two

and

less
doubt-

before,at

when
likelier,
desired sport. Or, in a

pellets,
you

fish for the carp, to obtain your

largepond,to draw them to a certain

you

the

are

that they may

place,

hope be fished for,you are to throw

either grains or blood mixed
certain place,
into it,in some
chickens'
with cow-dung,or with bran ; or any garbage,
as
of your small sweet
pellets
guts or the like ; and then some
to angle: and
these small pellets
with which you purpose
will be
being a few of them also thrown in as you are angling,

the better and with

more

the better.
And

your

rabbit

paste must

be

thus made

take

the fiesh of

flour ; and if that may

not
or
be easily
got,get other flour ; and then mix these together,
and put to them either sugar, or honey (whichI think better)
:
and

cat cut small ; and

then beat these

in your
it into

them
make

in
together

ball,or two,

mortar, or sometimes

hands

hands,your
a

bean

being very

three,as

or

you

work

clean ; and then

like best,for your

work or pound it so long in the mortar,

use
; but you must
it so tough as to hang upon your hook, without
as to make
washing from it,yet not too hard : or, that you may the
better
a

keep it on

and not
little,
And

if you

hook, you

much, white

would

have

or

this

work

them

then make

togetherwith

these into

hook

soaked

balls,and

or

anointed

to preserve

and

hands

clarified honey,

keep all the year.

then put upon your
gentles,
this

bignessD

oil of peter,called by
gentlesbe put two or three

them

to be

the fire ;

before

they will

with

the rock ; and if your

into a box or horn anointed with
as

your

a carp with
littlepieceof scarlet about

in

paste

pastekeep allthe year, for any

if you fish for

And

hook

knead

with your
yellowishwool.
may

fish,then mix with it virginwax,

other
and

your

honey,and
living,
you

so
are

it

some

oil of

days before

put upon
as

being-

your

like to kill

craftyfish this way as

chew a littlewhite
fishing,

this

cast it into the

pond

as
any other ; but still,
you are
brown
in
bread
or
your mouth, and
about the place
where your float swims.

baits there be ; but these,with diligence

and patient
will do it better than an/ that 1 have ever
watchfulness,
Other

THE

heard

or
practised

crumb

of white

bait for

COMPLETE

of;

bread

153

ANGLER.

and

yet I shall tell you, that the

honey, made into a paste,is a good

and

it is more
made.
And
easily
carp ; and jou know
havingsaid thus much of a carp,'^
my next discourse shall be
of the bream ; which shall not prove so tedious,
and therefore
a

I desire the continuance

of your
I will tell you how
first,

But,

curious to be
worth

him

without
Take

labour

trouble and

some

to make

curious

caught,so

all your

attention.

this carp, that is so

dish of meat, as shall make

patience; and though it is not

and

charges,
yet it will recompense

both.

scour
him, and rub him clean
carp, alive if possible,
and salt,but scale him not ; then open him, and
with water
put him, with his blood and his liver,which you must save
when
you open him, into a small pot or kettle ; then take
a

of
marjoram,thyme, and parsley,

sweet

sprigof rosemary,

and

each half

handful,a

them

of savory, bind

another

into two

bundles,and put them to your carp, with four

five whole
onions, tv/enty pickledoysters,and three

three small

or
or

anchovies.
will

as

Then

pour

only cover

upon

him, and

carp

your
season

cloves,and mace, and the rinds

done, cover
your pot,and set it

your
a

claret wine

claret well with

of oranges
on

much

as

and

lemons

salt,
that

ciently
tillit be suffiquickfire,

boiled ; then take out the carp, and lay it with the
broth into the dish,and pour upon it a quarter of a pound of
the best fresh butter,melted
and beaten with half a dozen

spoonfulsof
some
so

the

broth, the yolks of

two

or

eggs, and
lemons, and

three

of the herbs shred ; garnishyour disliwith

it up, and much
serve
good do you. Dr. T.
"

and most
of river carp are, in the winter months, the broadest
quiet parts of the river; but in summer
they lie in deep lioles,nooks, and
roots of trees, hollow
banks, and, till they
reaches, near
some
scour, and under
Fond
are
near
etc.
carp
rotting, amongst or near
great beds of weeds, flags,
*

The

haunts

propriety,be said to have any haunts ; only it is to be noted, that

love
They breed
a
rich soil,and never
fat,
thrive in a cold, hungry water.
they
of
the
three or four times
is
beginning
their
but
first
a year
spawning-time
;
for
v"'orms,
Baits
flag
the
worms,
earth
sorts
and
all
of
are
May.
dunghill
carp
cannot, with

grasshoppers(though
peas, and

red

or

not

black

at

near
the bottom,
float.
Never
goose-quill

tackle, very
use

top,) ox

cherries

with

and

brains, the pith of

the

with

attempt

to

stones

taken

fine grass
angle for

or
a

an

out.

backbone,

ox's

gut

next

carp

in

the
a

green

with

Fish

strong
hook, and

boat, for they

westward
carp in the Thames,
many
river ; in
in
that
of London, and that about February they retire to the creeks
with
an
taken
angle.
been
of which, many
above
two
feet long have
some
in
is
common
a
practice
Carp live the longestout of the water of any fish. It
in
them
a
hanging
month,
by
Holland
a
to keep them
alive for three weeks
or
will not

cool
milk."

come

near

place, with
H.

it.

wet

It is said there

moss,

in

are

net, and

feeding

them

with

bread

and

154

[Remaeks
marked
such

o?t

by

many
of
writers

"c.
Aristotle,

Walton's

Caep."

the

into

singularerrors,

The

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

naturalist
old

romance

historyof

natural

the

carp
led

is

which, as usual, he was

hy
as
Gesner, Bacon, Dubravius,

Angler's remarks

fishingfor

on

are

carp

very

deviation.
I shall set his
good,and may be followed without much
and add to his instructions a few more
natural historyright,
on
carp
fish is Cyprinus
for this fine-looking
fishing.The Linnsean designation
describes
of Rural Sports/'
Carols, Mr. Blaine,in his Encyclopscdia
"

Yellowish
olive carp, with wide dorsal
it very accuratelythus :
It stands at the head of a numerous
with the third ray serrated behind.
"

"

fin,

characterised by a small mouth, which is without

teeth,their
family,
the
within
ofiicebeing suppliedby a bony apparatus
throat,both above
and below, which, actingagainsteach other,comminate
the food j the
dorsal
fin
and
there
is
is
one
only. The
gillmembrane
three-rayed,
common

lakes, ponds, and

carp appears to be a native of the

largerivers of the southern parts of

of

some

is
Europe.
year
Leonard
mentioned
Mascal, a gentleman of Sussex,
as the periodwhen
to
naturalized
the tench amongst us ; and although there is littlereason
from
the
doubt that this gentleman did actuallybring carp with him
Boke
South, or import some, yet there is sufficient evidence from the
of St. Alban's'
work
earliest
on
p
ublished
anglingextant),
by
(the

the

1514

The

'

then known
in
the}^were
de
o
r
Berners),
(Berners,
calls it a
This beingthe case, the old
daynteousfish/althoughscarce.
distich (quoted
by Walton in the first page of his chapteron the carp),
I think it is
Of carp, hops,'"c.,loses its metre and its pointtogether."
fish
of life in
that
t
enacious
the
is
a
fairlyproved
exceedingly
carp

Wynkyn de Worde, as earlyas 1496,

England.The statelyauthoress,Juliana

that

Barnes

and

out of it.

In damp moss
it can be kept many days alive. In
it may live to the age of one
hundred years, but I do
not think it often attains that age ; and I am
of opinion that it never
"
exceeds it. Mr. Blaine,however, says,
The age to which carp attain
adduced
of
is very great,and several weU-authenticated
instances are
water

its own

element

"

its
were

the

considerablyexceedinga century,at least. Many of those which

introduced into the ponds at Versailles,
etc.,in the reign of Louis
Fourteenth
at least were
so a
or
(say1690),are either still living,

very short time before the French Revolution (of1830). Dr. Smith, in
'
Tour to the Continent,'mentions them, and observes that theywere

his

Buifon assures
grown white through age.
of
the
fosses
Ponchartrain,carp which w^ere
and fifty
hundred
one
years." Carp in our

weight of

six

pounds,and

seen
frequently

at Mr.

as

seldom

Grove's

I think

twenty pounds ;
twenty-eightpounds. But they
remarks, The usual length of the
weight

of

"

twelve to fifteen or

sixteen

inches

that he

had

seen,

in the

age of
rivers very rarelyreach the
twelve pounds in ora* ponds. I have

shop, in

and

us

New

Bond-street, carp

once

saw

all Dutch

carp
In

known

were

but

to be of the

we

in

our

have

one

that

fish.

weighed

Mr.

country is from
seen

them

of the

here

Blaine
about

much

warmer
climates,they grow to
longer,weighing twenty pounds.
or fortypounds." Walton
twenty,thirty,
says, the carp breeds several
think
not
Blaine sensiblyexplainsthe
times in the year.
I do
so.

COMPLETE

THE

of the

cause

dozen

of those

errors

155

ANGLEE.

writers who

assert that

half-a-

carp spawn

months
of the year.
He
during the warm
The
says,
of
has
in
occasioned
later
times : to our
some
reproduction carp
dispute
Mr. Daniel {'Rural
several
times in
surprise,
Sports')
they
says,
spawn
six hundred
the year.' If at each time
and twenty-one thousand
are
of ova stated to have been counted
in
produced,which is the numher
annual
would
what
then
be
the
?"
one
Aristotle and Pliny,
produce
roe,

thnes

"

"

'

deahng in fable also,after the custom of their times,assert that theybreed

six times in the year, and the over-credulous Walton, influenced by their
"
observed to breed several months
testimony,
carp and loaches are
says,
in one
And
this is the
year, which pikesand most other fish do not.
rather to be beheved, because you shall scarce,
without a m.elt,or a female without a roe, or

part very
but the

much.

We

fact]that

and, indeed, from

with
as

think

it not

do not

carp

never

take

and
spawn,
is
not
improbable [It

depositthe

observations

some

or

male

for the

carp
most

onlyprobable,

whole

made

by

of their spawn
at once
;
ourselves on a pond stored

take as many
only (wherewe could every day by a casting-net
and
after
to
them
examination,we could return
pleased,
subjecting

carp

we

them

without

we
injury),

have been led to suppose that these fish do not

time : on
the contrary,
think
we
process at one

complete the

spawning
improbablethat they ejectportionsof ova only,at several distinct
and that some
the first and last
weeks even
intervene between
periods,
I assure
the reader,that none
of our
river fish deposit
their
ejections."'
than hens or other female birds do.
at a single
ova
The
more
no
sitting,
it not

ova

all mature

not

are

first matured

at the

time.

same

Those

near

the vent

are

the

expelled. Examine the roe of any female fish,and you

ova
part largerthan those of the upper ; more
short period before spawning time.
The largerthe
so
a
particularly
collection of ova, the longerthey requirefor ripening,
and consequently,
the longerthe process of deposition
A grilse
lasts.
or young
salmon, in
its second year, will depositits ova
in two
the
because
three
or
days,
and

will find the

quantityis
pounds
The
wariest
wrote

of the lower

small

whereas, a large,
mature, female salmon, with several

of ova, cannot depositthe whole of it in less than

carp is the wariest of all fresh-water fish,and

anglercan

to

me

catch it of

for advice.

He

largesize.

not
correspondent

had

pond, in

said,he

angledfor

"

I advised him

to hne

them

which

in due

but

none

largecarp ; and althoughhe had

Februaryto October
during seven
them.

fortnight.

the

long since

were
season

"

many
from

succeeded in capturing
years, he had not
the
of
bank
the
pond
with hurdles

ground-baitthose spotswith
with sweet paste,for three or four
especially
days to then take his rod, and supportingit on a bifurcatedprop (cut
off"the branch of a tree,)
inserted in the bank behind the hurdles,to place
without barb or sharp
his line a hook broken off at the bend, that is,
on
bait
this harmless hook with sweet paste,and to sink it nearly
point to
The carp will soon
of the akeady ground-baitedwater.
to the bottom
do so with impunity,they will
take this bait ; and findingthey can
become bolder hourly. Replacingthe bait every time it is nibbled ofi;
then angling
and contmuingto do so for three or four days,commence
at the

spots where

red worms,
"

"

he meant

gentles,and

to fish
"

to

156
in earnest

with

the

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

rod and line,but

same

v/ith

barbed

hook, baited
lightfloat,

behind the hurdle, and, with very

exactlyas before,come
angle cautiously.My correspondentacted on my advice,and

succeeded

This method
not
cancatchingas many of the largecarp as he wanted.
in rivers,unless in parts belongingto the
be convenientlypractised
In
red
pastes,green peas,
graiiis,
gentles,
river-fishing, worms,
angler.

in

and

cherries,are

best round

fine

Fish about

used

as

gut, and

foot from

baits for carp.

need
the hook

the bottom.

In

but

or
gently; in fishingwith worms
six seconds have elapsedafter your
or
salmon-roe is an excellent bait for carp.

I shall here
are

givea

list of the best

The

foot-line should be of the

larger than a Iso. 9.

fishingwith paste,strike quickly
not

be

do
gentles,

not

perceptionof

strike until

anglingpastes,and

bite.

show

five

Prepared
how

they

made.

in
Simple pastefor dace and roach is made by kneading top^ether,
It
must
be
of
and
bread.
of the pith old
clean hands, equalquantities
new
adhesive
white and tcugh. To render it more
kneaded until it is perfectly
round the hook in rough streams, work up with it a few fibresof raw cotton,
A coloured paste is made
by washing flour in cold water, until the
than simple
and leave behind littlemore
farinaceous particles
disappear,
with
the
and
to
hue
of
Colour
vermilion
sahnon-roe,
gluten.
preserve
it for use in balls immersed
in water.
When
anglingwith it,keep it in
a wet
bag.
Sweet
paste is an amalgamation of bread crumb and good white
Work
Of this pasteboth Blaine and
it into an adhesive mass.
honey.
Salter say,
that it is a most killing
bait for carp during the m.onths of
and
and
indeed
as
August,
long afterwards as the fishing-season
July
lasts. As regards carp, this bait has a very peculiarclaim on
those
who
the
at
cannot
be
and
where
their
late,
carp-fisher
anglers
postsearly
that
ought to be in most cases : this paste obviates,in some
measure,
it
is
will
in
the
few
of
take
favourable
baits
which
as
one
necessity,
carp
weather, even at mid-day. Chub may be taken with it sometimes very
"

well,and roach

will seldom

r(3fuscit."*

Prepared greaves is an excellent bait for barbel,and not a bad one

It is preparedby saturating
it in warm
water, and working
and washing it until it becomes tough and nearly white.
A good paste
made
be
bread-crumb
the
with the liquorin which
by moistening
may
for chub.

greaves have been softened,and then working the crumb into an adhesive
An admixture
of a littleraw
cotton will be an improvement.
mass.
for
Cheese-paste,

chub

and

barbel,is made

coloured cheese and stale bread-crumb

with

bullock's brains and

by working soft,paletogether. These last two pastes,

spinalchord, are

the

best autumn

and

v/inter

baits for barbel and chub.

of the bottomGround-baitingwill greatlycontribute to the success
with
When
fisher.
v/orms,
ground-baitovernightwith large
you fish
of
which
in
interior
Do not be
the
balls,
clay
you have placedworms.
and
v/hilst you are fishing,
sparingof them ; and ever
anon,
drop in one
of these balls over
with gentles,
groundfishing
your baited hook. When
bait with clayballs filledwith gentles.

COMPLETE

THE

cf the best

One

for chub, carp, roach, and

gromid-baits

waters, is made

admixture, kneaded

by
bran, and
bread-pith,

wet

an

oatmeal.

You

angle with plainor

must

rivers in which

Small

sweet

tolerable

to

to the

dace,in

still

of
adhesiveness,

balls thrown

anglingfor those fish,will attract them

are

157

ANGLEE.

in

whilst

of your
vicinity

you

hook.

jjaste.
of

fish

barbel,chub, bream,
abound, the best generalground-baitis made by kneadingtogether
into balls the size of the fist,
bran, meal, and clay,and dividingthe mass
For

"c.

sorts

many

coarse

"

"

them

placinginside

and

gentles.They
have

placeon
Invariably

from

your

should

before
lively,

them, and

it

as

with

were

and

worms

"

be

hooks better baits than those you ground-bait

with.
v.ell scoured, cleansed, and rendered
tough and
used.

this,put them in fresh moss, freed

substances,for a coupleof days; then examine

they are

To

any hard
all sicklyor

and

thorns

them
stuffing

their way through the balls after the latter

into the water, and prove a great attraction
to fish.

been thrown

"Worms

"

make

will

remove

do

dead

the others in

Place

ones.

small

lightpure mould, over which you must put a good portion of

depth
Add every third day a little cream
fresh
or
clean,fresh,moist moss.
and
the
will
and
worms
alive,healthy,wiry,
milk,
keep
livelyfor
you
of

several weeks
Gentles

examine

best

are

and ejectinvalids.
occasionally,

them

in summer,
preserved,

sand

in moist

in

winter,

in

wooden
trough. The
layersof hght mould, placed in a long, narrow
mould should be kept moist,or sunk about a foot beneath the earth.
Ed.]
"

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

ON

THE

BREAM

X.
J

HOW

AND

TO

CATCH

HIM.

"a^.]
[JFourt]^
Pjsc.

The

Bream, being at

statelyfish :

both

he v/ill breed

full growth,is
in

and

rivers

largeand

ponds;

but

ponds,and where, if he likes the water,

but as fat as
will grow not only to be very large,
is by Gesner taken to be more
pleasantor sweet

loves Best to live in

and
a

air,he

hog

he

wholesome

than

in

fast

this fish is

water

that

them,
broad, with

to overstore

as

He

is very

excellent order
; he hath

mouth

; he hath
two

longin growing,but
; yea, in many

pleaseshim
and
a

starve

forked

ceedingly
ex-

ponds so

the other fish.

and
tail,

large eyes,

sets of

breeds

teeth,and

and
a

his scales set in

narrow

sucking

bone, a
lozenge-like

helphis grinding.The melter is observed to have two

largemelts;and the female,two largebags of eggs or spawn.

bone

to

158

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

reports,that in Poland
of largebreams
were
put into

Gesner

certain and

pond, which

ber
great num-

in the next

followingwinter were frozen up into one entire ice,and not

one
drop of water remaining,nor one of these fish to be
searched for ; and yet the
found, though they were
diligently
the ice was
when
next spring,
thawed, and the weather warm,
and fresh water
got into the pond,he affirms they all appeared
again. This Gesner affirms ; and I quote my author because
it

almost

seems

it may

but

win

considers the

that there be

as

something,in
And

observes

Bacon

incredible

that

in his

"

the resurrection to

pointof

renovation

breedingor

insects.

many

as

is

it,to him
believing
of the

Life and

herbs that die and

some

of
Sir Francis

Death,"fol. 20,

springevery

year, and

endure

some

But

longer.
do not, yet
though some

and
highly,
it is

that

to

in his

breams

end

have

pond is able

French

the

this

this fish

esteem

proverb,

"

He

that

to bid his friend welcome."

noted, that the best part of

bream

is his

hath
And

bellyand

head.^
Some
melt

of

say that breams

and
together,

breams, that

very

that

silk-worm,and

which
considerable,

History of

atheist

an

so

never

and

roaches

will mix

their eggs and

bastard breed

there is in many
placesa
to be either largeor
come

good,but

numerous.

The

I consider

the Oundle

barbel

and

the most
and

chub

are

bad

edibles ; but not

The

tasteless of all river-fish.

the Ouse, in

Huntingdonshire.
"

so

bad

as

the bream, which

largestbream

Ed.

are

caught

in

baits

The

1. Paste

are

many.
the
or
honey,gentles,

and

bread

of brown

made

catch, this Bream

good to

159

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

brood

of

and should
wasps that be young, and then not unlike gentles,
in an oven, or dried on
to
be hardened
a tile before the fire,
them tough ; or there is at the root of docks or flags,
make
rushes in watery places,
a worm
tench will bite freely.Or
which

not

or

with

his

water, which
the water-side.

to

doubt

July,
but

grow
there be

that

other baits that are

good ; but I will turn
many
into this most excellent one, either for a carp or
any river
excellent

or

mere

bait be

knot

and

them

put

given to

as

big a

me

red

or

clean

with

moss

by

will prove

pint
quart
chalky common,

; get

garden walks, or

in

was

angler; and hopingyou

it to you.
1. Let your
without

it

v/orm

well washed

them

bream, in

both,I

will impart

evening

an

shower
and

find,

can

you

in

all

honest and

most

as

of them
after

hopper
grass-

flagsthat

on

not

at

at several

or

or

be found

may

maggot,

will bite at

in June
legsnippedoff,

flies under
near

he

unlike

of

rain,

picked,and

as
dry as you can, into
squeezedout of the moss
fresh
earthen pot or pipkinset dry,and change the moss

the water
an

every three or four days,for three weeks or a month

then your bait will be at the best,for it will be

together;
clear and

lively.
2. Having thus preparedyour baits,get your tackling
rods,
ready and fittedfor this sport. Take three longangling
and

as

many

and

more

silk,or

silk and

hair

and as
lines,
take a pieceof

floats. Then
goose -quill
lead,and fasten them to the low ends of your lines ; then
fasten your link-hook also to the lead,and let there be about

largeswan

many

foot

be

sure

ten

or

or

inches

the lead be

between

the lead and

heavy enough

the

to sink the float

littleunder

; but

hook
or

quilla

the water, and not the quillto bear up the

lie on the ground. Note, that your
for the lead must

next

you
who

the hook
dare
will

may

be smaller

lead,
link

the rest of your line,if

of taking the pike or pearch,
hooks, till they be taken out,
than

adventure,for fear
assuredlyvisit your
show you afterward,
before

either carp or bream

is
the worm
to bite.
will come
Note also,that when
near
the lead will
well baited,it will crawl up and down
as far as
give leave, which much enticeth the fish to bite without

as

I will

suspicion.
3. Having

thus

preparedyour baits,and

fitted your tack-

160

skulls

shoals,in

or

three

about

or

yoii have

river,where

the

ling,
repairto

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

the

in

time,

summer

which you
deepholes and returning,
they return about four of the clock,most

food at the

bottom, yet one

water,

rollingand

under

him

two

or

bottom, and

at the

so

keep sentinel ; then mark where

whicli commonly is in the
longest,
of th.e river,and
and

fitted

eightor

about

fall by the next

or

and

plays most,
and

and

are

to

stays

clear bottom

anglesready

bottom, which

deep,two yards from

with yourselfwhether
of
morning,by reason

rest

deepestplace
a

of your

one

feet

ten

consider

Then

best.

the

top of the

perceivehim

at
thereabouts,

near

and sound
aforesaid,

as

the

seeking

whilst the

broadest

take
landing-place,

convenient

rise

there,or

he

in

discern,

of them

shall

you

well

may

will lie on

themselves

tumbling

swim

afternoon,
goingforth

their

of their
for

hot

clock,and watch

four of the

them

seen

should

the bank

be

is the

that water

will

any water-mills
discretion take the depth of the

to
according

your
after to cast your ground bait,and to
you
the groundfish,to half an inch,that the lead lyingon near

near,

where
place,

mean

of the float may

bait,the top
Thus

you
then
thereof,

is,next

having found

shall take

You

greatness of the

placeand depth
bait,which
prepare your groundto be regarded.
labours,

GR0U]S'D-BAIT.

kettle ;

it through a

bag into

stream

and

one
a

or

it down

peck

and

to
half,according

deepnessof

the water

where

gross-groundbarleymalt, and
is enough,then strain
warms

sweet
two

whereof hath often done

tub, the liquor

good,and

horse much

cold,take

peck,or

angle,of

to

mean

boil it in

my

and fitted for the

and
go home
to the fruit of your

THE

you

incli

an

the water.

above

the

onlyappear uprighthalf

when

to the water

the

bag

and

side about

malt

is

near

eight
evening,and not before ; cast in two parts of
squeezedhard between both your hands; it
your ground-bait,
will sink presently
to the bottom,and be sure
it may rest in
the very placewhere you mean
to angle; if the stream
run
or

nine of the

clock in the

hard

or

move

higher,upwards
close the malt

part

it with

Your

so

cast
little,

the stream.
fast in

malt

your

You

in handfuls

may,

between

handfuls,that the

water

littlethe

your

will

hands,

hardly

the fall.

ground

thus baited and

leave
tackling
fitted,

your

bag

THE

the rest

with

of

tacklingand

your

and
all night,
sporting-place
or

four of the

for

they have

161

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

ground-baitnear
morning about

in the

but
clock,visit the water-side,

cunning watchman,

and

not

too

watchful

are

the
three
near,

selves
them-

too.

Then
hook

gentlytake one
castingit over

three

rods,and

and
ground-bait,

your

it to you, tillthe lead rests about

draw
secretly
the

of your

bait your
gently and

the middle of

ground-bait.
take

Then

second

third

rod,and

cast

in about

yard above,

the first rod ; and staythe rods

a
your
the water-side,
in the ground : but go yourselfso far from
which
that you perceive
nothing but the top of the floats,

and

must

you

yard below

diligently.Then when you have a

perceivethe top of your float to sink suddenly
to run
be not too liasty
to
yet,nevertheless,

watch

bite,you shall
into the water:

most

rods,until you see that the line goes clear away, then
and give as much line as you possibly
creep to the water-side,

your

they will go to tliefarther

and hold your rod at a
side of the river : then strike gently,
bent,a littlewhile ; but if you both pull together,
you are
can

if it be

good carp

bream,

or

game, for either your line,or hook, or hold

and after you have overcome
them, they will
The
sport,and are very shy to be landed.

to lose your

sure

will break

noble

make

carp is far strongerand

is to be
Much
more

more

mettlesome

observed

than the bream.

in this

kind

of fish and

and discourse than

but it is far better for experience
fishing,
for
Only,thus much is necessary
you to know, and to
paper.
be mindful and careful of,that if the pike or pearchdo breed
first be
and must
in that river,they will be sure
to bite first,
for the most
taken.
And
part they are very large; and will
not that they will eat of it,but
repairto your ground-bait,
the young
will feed and sport themselves
frythat
among

gatherabout
The

way

to

and

hover

the bait.

over

discern the

pike and

to take

trust
him, if you mis-

bream-hook, for I have taken a pike a yardlong

several times at my bream-hooks,and sometimes he hath had
the luck to share my line, may be thus :
Take
a small bleak,or
roach,or gudgeon,and bait it,and
set it alive among
rods,two feet deep from the cork,
your
your

"

"

with

littlered

worm

on

pointof

the

the

hook

; then

take

and
of the ground-bait,
few crumbs of white bread,or some
it gently
amongst your rods. If Mr. Pike be there,
sprinkle

a,

162

THE

of the water

little fisliwill.skipout

jbhenthe

the live-set bait is

but

Thus

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

continue

your

at his appearance,

to be taken.

sure

four in the

sport from

morning

till

gloomy windy day,they will bite all day

this is too long to stand to your rods at one place,
and it will spoil
your evening sport that day,which is this :
About
four of the clock in the afternoon,repairto your

eight,and
long. But

one

then
most

place; and

baited
in

if it be

soon

as

half of the

as

to

come

you

the

cast
water-side,

rest of your

and stand off :

ground-bait,
for there they will
whilst the fish are gatheringtogether,
for their supper, you may
take a pipe of
come
certainly
then in with your three rods,as in the morning :
will find excellent sport that evening,till eightof the

tobacco

; and

you
clock ; then

cast

morning by

four of the clock

in the residue of your

all ; and after

to
friends have a mind

is the best

which
tillyou
From

and

sportof

your

St. James's-tide

Observe

that,let them
more
sport.

until Bartholomew-tide

had all the summer's

theyhave

when

and next
ground-bait,
visit them againfor fonr hours,

that after three

lastly,

or

food,theyare
four

rest

is the best ;
the fattest.

days'fishing
together

your game will be very shy and wary, and you shall hardly
get above a bite or two at a baiting; then your only way is
to desist from your
sport about two or three days ; and in

meantime, on the placeyou late baited,and againintend

to bait,you shall take a tuft of green but short grass, as big
or
biggerthan a round trencher ; to the top of this turf,on
the green side,you shall with a needle and green thread,

the

fasten

by

one

cover

all the

make

hole

placed on
as
long as

one

little red

many

worms

as

will

near

turf ; then take a

board or trencher,
in the middle
thereof,and through the turf,
round

the
is

as

board

trencher, with

or

tied
fitting,

to

stringor

let it down
pole,

cord

to the bottom

of the water, for the fish to feed upon without disturbance

about two or three days ; and after that you have drawn
it
fall to

may
you
tion.'^ B.A.
away,

and

enjoy

your

former

recrea-

"

a fish which
tlie angler seldom
meets with, are
of
soft streams, with
gentle,
parts
deepest
sandy, clayeyand
most
the broadest
bottoms
: and
quiet places of ponds, and where there
about
the beginning of July ; a little before which
weeds.
are
They spawn
think them
time they are best in season, though some
best in September. The
*

The

baits

of the

haunts

the

and

for the

bream

grasshoppers.

In

bream,

broadest

are

red

w^orms,

generalthey

are

small

lob

or

marsh

to be fished for as carp.

worms,
H.
"

gentles,ancl

THE

[A

Few

Remaeks

Biieam.

the

on

and
naturalist,

163

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

Walton

"

has written

more

sibly
sen-

the bream,
as an
on
artist,
artistically
fish
hitherto treated of by him.
He seems
to have a
than on any other
it
fish
thinks
not
worthless
but
for
this
handsome,
only
;
liking
courageous
It is neither ; and very few modern
and well-flavoured.
anglersprize
much
it either as an edible,or as a fish affording
sport. It is called by
Brama.
It is remarkable
for the smallness of its
naturalists Cifprinus
there being no fewer than
of its anal one
dorsal fin,and the largeness
Its
the
is
in
tail
latter.
forked,and it
exceedingly
twenty-sevenrays
as

more

"

has

forked,rather largefin between

the dorsal fin and

and very deep and

hog-backed,
exceedingly
very small head, and very prominent eyes.

spring,and

of

depth,put one
is

then

worms

good modes

shot

more

or

the

to take

way

them.

The

body.

It is in

the best baits for it.

are

with
fishing

tail.

first

Daniel

shyestfish ; the bait

small shot to hinder the bullet

largered worm, which

the ground-bait. When

bullet and

falling
on

found to

hole

the hook

speciesof

into holes,and equally

as
for all other fish that bite at the

answer

with the
corresponds
I come
w
hen
speak fully

tackle

must

with the current

bottom

two

after

"

is,
plumbing the
foot below the float,
to balance it,which

running line,with

the

"

in

good season
pointsout

be laid in, and let sink very graduallyto

fish bites,strike gently that very instant."*^ 1'he second

employing

It is

It has

It affects deep,still waters,

muddy, half clayey bottoms.

soft half

with

thin in the

modern

the

method

is,

through it,and
let this

run

for bream

it wiU

bottom."

The

the

on

be
last

of which
ledger-line,

to

Chap. XIV., which treats of

An extract from Blaine,accompaniedby an original
the barbel.
sentence
of information
to
enable
or two, will completethe measure
required
any
That
for the bream.
elaborate and able
to angle successfully
one
sportingwriter says, Bream will likewise take caddis-bobs and grubs,
and all other usual larv"e. In the largerivers of the midland counties,
called broads,meres, fleets,
as well as in the great piecesof water
"c.,
shall have to

"

is an

the salmon-roe

by

bream

theywill

excellent

bait,and will be seldom refused

likewise take natural flies;as the house-fly,
flesh-fly,
summer

-fly,
during the day ; and in the evening they seldom refuse the
In dippingwith these baits,
various moths.
the utmost possible
caution
must
be observed by the angler to keep himself concealed; for the
stone

bream

moment

discover any

they
; though,
usuallybe repaired
as

it

and when

is,its small

if the
particularly

caught bream
called
the fly
moths.

"

with the
**

the

they sink

to the

again,the

appear
bream is not

The

mouth

bait be

some

near,
soon

very

caution,and
and
few successful,
a few

strike with
a

one

sometimes

full-sizedone:

bottom

always a quick biter,

produces a kind of suction,
it

is,therefore,necessary

proper degreeof it will be

I have
unsuccessful bites."

the

artificialfly.

and
governor,"

in the

Ed.]

li

diately
imme-

mischief may

to

taughtby

frequently

palmers,
They will take brown
and
white
artificial
eveningyellow

164

XI.

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

THE

ON

TENCH

FOR'

TO

HOW

ADYICE

AND

ANGLE

HIM.

Bag.]
[Jpourt]^
is observed to
Tench, the physicianof fishes,
and to love pits better than
love ponds better than rivers,
either : yet Camden
observes,there is a river in Dorsetshire
that abounds with tenches,but doubtless they retire to the
The

Pisc.

deep and quietplacesin it.

This fish hath
large fins,very
very

most

small

and

smooth

his eyes, which are big and of a gold

a red circle about
scales,
colour,and from either angle of his mouth there hangs down
a

In

little barb.

for wholesome

commended

not

tench's head

make
foreignphysicians

which

stones

every

there

great use

are

little

two

of,but

he is

meat, though there be very

for outward

of them

Rondeletius
applications.
done by
says, that at his being at Home, he saw a great cure
This,he
applyinga tench to the feet of a very sick man.
unusual
done after an
by certain Jews.
manner,
says, was
of those people have many
it is observed,that many
And

much

use

made

to Christians ; secrets
that have never
yet unknown
the days of their
yet been written,but have been (since
from the
Solomon, who knew the nature of ail things,even
from the father
cedar to the shrub)delivered by tradition,

secrets

to the

son,

and

so

from

it were
writing; or (unless
them

that
that
I

to

they account
they, or some

any

without
generationto generation,
without the least communicating
casually),
other

nation

or

profanation.And
than

worse
spirit

tribe ; for to do
yet it is thought

they, first

told

us

for the yellowthat lice swallowed

a certain cure
alive,were
discovered
jaundice.This,and many other medicines,were

by them, or by
not by study.

revelation ;

we
for,doubtless,

attained

them

besides his eating,

is very useful both dead
Well, this fish,
and

alive for the

good

of mankind.

But

I will meddle

no

honest humble
art teaches no
that ; my
such
more
boldness ; there are too many foolish meddlers in physicand
fit to meddle with hidden
I divinity,
that think themselves
with

"

I secrets,and

so

bring destruction

to their followers.

But

I'll

meddle

not

with

165

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

farther than to wish them

them, any

wiser ;
bold,that^

shall tell you next, for I hope I may be so

the tench is the physicianof fishes,
for the pike especially
;
and

that the

and

pike,being either
And

of the Tench.

touch

pike will
him

devour

be

not

it is

wolf

though he

himself and

his

to

be

never

fish,that carries

This

sick

loves yet
others,

but
physician,
so
hungry.
balsam

directions
you
He

proceedto give you

how

to

catch

this

the

by

forbears

in him

to

to

cure

foul water, and

and
he eats pleasantly,

to feed in very

And
amongst weeds.
yet I am sure
doubtless,you will think so too, if
shall therefore

cured

observed,that the tyrant

natural

hurt,is

or

few, and but

some

Tench, of

which

And

taste him.

you

I have

few,

given

these observations.
will bite

paste made

and

bread

of brown

honey,or

at

to any
marsh- worm,
or
a lob-worm
; he inclines very much
paste with which tar is mixed : and he will bite also at a
a

smaller worm,
with his head
the hook before that worm
on
will also in the three
stirs not
but I

"

much,

can

The

hot

bite at

"

positively
say

haunts

of the tench

in ponds than

for in the nine

"

flagworm,

no

are

more

nearlythe

in rivers; and

better
scoured

baits
;

for

this fish than

gentle;

young

wasp

at

of the

weeds,

lie imder

grub, boiled

or

being

near

They
sluices,and

best in
are
of July ; and
of 3Iay.
They ?will bite
and

There

May.

lob-worm,

middle-sized

gentle;

those of the carp.

with

same

colder he

green
tench,*he

or

delight
at pond-heads. They
about the beginning
spawn
from the beginning of September to the end
season
taken
are
all the hot months
best in April
; but
more

I doubt

; and

months,
a

cod-worm
put
not but that he

nippedoff,and

green

or

are

red-worm,

worm

shook

no

well
from

166

fish I .have not often

and

maj,

be

[Obseevations
iish

as

chub, bream
and

or

I very

whether

doubt

much

heal

will not

flesh wounds

or

instinct
performed. Some
from
making of the tench
thrives
and

with

best in water

June, amongst
in condition.

soon

describes this
and

body

not

believe

in,

slimy exterior to either fish

voracious pike spares it,and
them.
he does, 'tis not out of gratitude for cures

not
a

to

its

muddy

Linnaeus

names

bluish
the

accounted

be

for prevents the

It
prey.
bottoms.
weedy

favourite

and

mucous

do

this

either

If the

the roots

fins, dusky;

ventral

the

"

dish than

far better

propertiesI

applicationof

that

scholar

unfavourablyof

thinks

Walton

Its medicinal

barbel.

convinced

am

"

honest

my

he fishes.

when

Tench.

025" THE

I wish

; but

delicacy. It makes, however,

table

angledfor

fortunate

ever

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

and

subaqueous

pond-fish,and
in May
of plants,and is very

"

carp

as

having

head, sides, and

It spawns

Cyprinus Tineas

it

olive

stems

is

pike

"

and

Dr.

the

back, dorsal,

Fleming

belly,yellowishgreen;

beard on each side of

proportion to its length; a minute
gape ascending; dorsal fin,eleven rays; pectoral,seventeen;

thick in

mouth;

ventral, nine

and

anal, ten

rays.

The

tail of the tench

is not

forked,

squared. It grows to a large size,frequently to eight or

pounds, particularlyin the sluggishrivers and i)onds of Holland
but

Germany.

The

best

brandlings,flag,and

baits

marsh

for
worms.

tench
I

are

should

middle-sized

red

and

worms,

fish for them

never

nine

with

paste. They will take gentles,caddies,wasp-grubs, and

caterpillars.Yon must fish for them quite close to the bottom.
They
in
and
while
the
bite best after gentle warm
rain
is
summer
rains,
weed-beds, and
actuallyfalling. At this season, they are found among
in
his
Vade-Mecum," very
Captain Williamson,
by the sides of them.
swallow
Tench
not
bait
do
a
times
someproperly remarks,
very quickly,
holding it in their mouths for a while ; therefore give them good
either keep the float down, or, as is often the case,
time, and let them
rise with the bait, so as to lay your float on the water.
let them
Tliis is
but rather gently,lest the
excellent sign,and warrants
an
your striking,
return
fish be only sucking the bait,for he will seldom
after it is drawn
Your
tench-rod
should
be
from
his mouth.
strong, winch-line stout,
and
Use number
foot-line of the best, round, but fine gut.
eight and
smallish
cork floats,
nine hooks ; in deep running waters
but in still
floats.
the
If
bottom
of the water
be muddy, fish
deeps and ponds quill
if
it
it
be
from
let
inch
two
or
an
sandy
or
gravelly,
;
your bait touch
kind

any

of

"

"

it."

Ed.]

out
strong grass, or gut ; and a goose-qHill float withwhere
the
cork
is
a cork, except
always to be preferred. Fish
rivers,
if
bait
with
the
in a few at the
gentles, throw
near
ground. And
very
you
them
to your hook, and keep them
taking every fish,which will dra\)r
together.
the

boughs

of trees.

in

"

H.

Use

167

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

PEARCH

THE

ON

XII.
;

FOR

DIRECTIONS

AND

HOW

TO

FISH

HIM.

War).]
[jFottrt!;
Pisc.
He

fish.

Pearch

The
is

very good and a very bold biting

of the fishes of prey that,like the pike and

one

is

he dare venture

and

He

of fish.

invade

dry hard

fins

have, two

of his

one

and

or

hog back, which

all his

skin

and
scales,
He

kind,which

own

is very
several other

devour

his back.

on

therefore

may

you

mouth, which

kill and

hooked

thick

with

fish

has

to

and
stiff bristles,

sharp and
over

in his

his teeth

trout, carries

the

armed

so

kinds

is armed

with

covered

or

hath,which
is

large;

few other

bold that he will

pikewill

easilybelieve

do

not

him

lingly,
wilbe

to

bold biter.
saith Aldrovandus,
pearchis of great esteem in Italy,
the least are
there esteemed
a daintydish.
especially
the pearch and pike above the trout, or
Gesner prefers

The
and
And

fish : he says the Germans

have this proverb,
any fresh-water
"
More
wholesome
than a pearch of Phine ;" and he says
the river

pearchis

be eaten

to

by

so

wholesome

wounded

men,

that
or

physiciansallow
in fevers,
or
by men

him

by

in childbed.

women

held
but once
a
year, and is,by physicians,
spawns
They
very nutritive ; yet,by many, to be hard of digestion.
in
in
Pondeabound
and
the
river
more
Po,
England,says
He

than other parts,and have in their brain a stone which

letius,
is in foreignparts sold by apothecaries,
being there noted to
be very medicinabie
againstthe stone in the reins. These
be

part

brains have

on

few,
"

bestowed

the

commend
fin

of tlie commendations

his
to be

"

much

of

is known

which,they say,

we

jDhilosophical
pearch; yet they

some

the fresh-water

upon
which
sea-pearch,

back,

which

by having but

Englishsee

one

but

better fish.

pearch grows slowly,yet will grow, as I have been

crediblyinformed, to be almost two feet long ; for an honest
not
told me
such a one
informer
was
long since taken by
The

Sir Abraham

Williams, a gentlemanof worth, and

brother

168

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

angle,that yet lives,and

of the

I wish

he may : this
have devoured

was

a
pike
deep bodied fish,and doubtless durst
he
is
told
bold
for
of lialfhis own
I
have
a
fish,
length;
you
for extreme
such a one
hunger,the pike will not
as, but
the pike,and save
the pearch
devour ; for to affright
himself,

will

set

his

up

fins,much

like

as

will
turkey-cock

times
some-

his tail.

set up

But, my scholar,the pearch is not only valiant to defend

fish,yet he will
himself,but he is,as I said,a bold-biting
in
of the year ; he is very abstemious
will bite then in the midst of the day, if it be

bite at all

not

winter,yet
warm

and

day
usuallyto

warm

seasons

note, that all fish bite best about

in

winter, and he hath been

the midst

observed

by

some

of

not

buds, that is to say, till

mulberry-tree
frosts be past the spring,
for when
extreme
the mulberry-tree
blossoms many
gardenersobserve their forward fruit to be
have made
the like
past the danger of frosts,and some
observation on the pearch'
s biting.

But
has

bite tillthe

bite the

pearch will,and

wittilyobserved,if there

standingall

catched

says, like the

their fellows and

wicked

they may be at one

they being,as he
afraid,though
And

sight.
you may
solitary
pike,but love
togetherin troops.
And

that very
be twenty

as

well at

some

after

one

another,
world, not

of the

companionsperishin their
they are not like the

observe,that
to accompany

the baits for this bold fish

will bite

boldly: and as one

or
fortyin a hole,

or

at any

one

are

not

another,and march
many

of these

I mean,

three,as

he

at any

all others

or

whatsoever,a

169

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

minnow,

worm,

or

littlefrog,

the
in hay-time; and of worms,
find many
I take to be best,being
called a brandling,
dunghill-worm,
fennel ; or he will bite at a worm
well scoured in moss
or
of which

you

may

cow-dung,with

that lies under

And

head.

bluish

you
with

pearch with a minnow, then it is best to

stickingyour hook throughhis back fin,or a
him
in his upper
the hook
lip,and letting

and

down

for

rove

be

mid-water,

about

keepinghim

to about

that

or

cork,which

the like way you

frog,your hook

are

alive,

minnow
swim

little lower, and

depth by

a very littleone
; and
pearch,with a small

to be

the

if you

you

up
still

ought not
to fish for

being

fastened

the upper part of it ;

I will give you but this advice,that you givethe
and lastly,
ever
pearchtime enough when he bites,for there was scarce
I
think
And now
anglerthat has given him too much.

throughthe

of his

skin

leg,towards

any

best to rest

myself,for

I have

almost

spent

my

with
spirits

talkino:so Ion 2:.

Yen.
rains

for you
fish more,
anglesare like money

Nay, good master,

and
still,

know

you

our

usury, they may thrive,though

but talk and enjoy one another.

we

it

see

one

put

to

and do nothing
still,
Come, come, the other fish,
sit

good master.
scholar,have

Pisc. But

nothing

you

to

mix

with
1

which now
discourse,
grows both tedious and tiresome
both
to have
I have nothing from you, that seem
1
and a cheerful spirit
memory,
Yen.
were

Yes, master, I will speakyou

by Doctor Donne,

made

they
:

copy of
to show

verses

when

verses

Shall

good
that

the world
he

thought

the better
his labour ; and I love them
allude to rivers,
and fish and fishing.They

worth

smoothness
be these

made

sol^ and smooth

that he could make

because

and

this

"

Come
And
Of

Uve with me,

we

will

some

golden sands

With

new

and

and

be my

love,

pleasuresprove,
crystalbrocks,

silken lines and

silver hooks.

There will the river whisp'ring

run,
Warm'd
than the sun ;
by thy eyes more
And there th' enamell'd fish will stay,

Beggingthemselves they may

betray.

"When thou wilt swim in that live batl;,

Each fish,
which every channel hath.
Most amorously to thee will swim.
Gladder to catch thee,than thou him.

170

If tlioiito be

By

so

seen

be'st

loath,
both ;

darkenest

thou

or

sun

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

moon,
if mine eyes have

leave to see,
I need not their light,
having thee.
And

Let others freeze with

And
Or

cut their

treacherouslypoor

With
Let

bold

coarse

To witch

these

beset,

windowy

or

fish in banks

outwrest

traitors sleave silk

poor

far,alas

which

flies.

wandering fishes' eyes

catch'd

! than

remembered, honest

choice verses,

net

hands, from slimy nest,

fish that is not

Is wiser

Well

fish

For thee thou need'st no such

For thou thyselfart thine own
That

Pisc.

anglicg-reeds.
shells and weeds,

strangling
snares,

The bedded
Let curious

legswith

I have

deceit.
bait

thereby

I.

scholar ; I tliank you for

heard formerly,
but had

till they were

recovered by your happy memory.
quiteforgot,
rested myself a little,
I will make
Well, being I have now
observations
of the
requital,
by telling
you some
you some
and because,as you say, our
eel,for it rains still,
anglesare

171

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

put to use, that thrives

money
we'll sit still and enjoy ourselves

play,therefore
little longerunder this ^i

when

as

we

"^'

honeysucklehedge.
[A

FEW

WOEDS

Peech.

THE

ABOUT

Izaak of venerated

memory

"

hath well

"

The

good old

and

trulywritten

father of

all

us

"

in the

ceding
pre-

chapter of the perch. 1 wish he had left out the fourth

Williams'
perch, almost two foot long."
paragraph ahout Sir Abraham
No perch ever attained that length in this country, and there is not one
angler in five thousand that ever saw an Englishperch twelve inches
long. Pennant speaks of one weighing nine pound caught in the
Serpentine; and in an obscure anglingbook, mention is made of one
caught near Oxford, of the allegedlength of twenty-nineinches. Such
giantshave disappearedfrom the depthsof our waters longago. I have
seen
pond-fed perch of four and five pounds in weight,but for one
perch caught by me, or others of my acquaintance,of two pounds
I like the fish
weight,I have seen hundreds of less than ten ounces.
much.
He is a daringfellow,of burly beauty; no
dainty epicure,
satisfiedwith
and
is
him
when
dished
consider
a
dainty,
though epicures
ways,
fish
small
and
in
of
fresh
worms
water,
a plentiful
; and in tiderepast,
him
three
meal of fresh shrimps. Give
a
or brackish water, with
"

dishes,and he will
Latin

First dorsal fin

arched

ask

not

longer than

greenishblack;

reddish white

for

you

entremets

and
Jlumatilis,

is Perca

name

the

ventral,anal,and caudal fins red

than those of other waters.

The

black

fine transverse

irides

I
twelve.
dorsal fin has fourteen rays ; the pectoral
and
of Thames
coloured,
are
beautifully
perch. They
shouldered

describes him

thus

length about

second;

sides with

am

"

foot; back
bands; belly

golden.

Each

greatadmirer

they are

less round-

firstdorsal-fin of the

which
with strong,pointedspines,
bristling
large,

is very

His

liors d^oRiivres.

or

Fleming

are

perch

to him

*
Although perch, like trout, delight in clear swift rivers, with pebbly,
gravelly bottoms, they are often found in sandy, clayey soils ; they love a
moderately deep water, and frequent holes by the sides of or near little streams,
the beginning of
and
the hollows
about
under
banks.
The
perch spawns
March
is from the beginning of
best time of the year to angle for him
: the

of June, yet you may

continue
to fish for him till the end of
he
is
best
taken
in
weather,
say, from
and, as some
September ;
cloudy, windy
Other
to ten in the forenoon, and
in the afternoon.
from two to seven
seven
baits for the perch are
stickle-backs small-lob, and
loaches, miller's

May

till the end

thumbs,
marsh, and red-worms, well scoured ; horse-beans, boiled ; cad-bait, oak- worms,
bobs, and gentles. Many of these fish are taken in the rivers about Oxford ;
the figure of a
saw
and the author of the
Angler's Sure Guide," says, he once
which
was
that
witli
city,
drawn
the
a
near
door
of
house
on
a
pencil
perch,
of a
the true dimensions
informed
it was
twenty-nine inches long ; and was
livingperch (" Angler's Sure Guide," p. 155). The largest perch are taken
hooked
with a good hold through the upper lip ; for the perch,
with a minnow,
of the figure of his mouth, cannot
take the bait crosswise, as the pike
by reason
,

"

will.

When

inches
water

from

you
the

but

in the

inches of the

fish thus, use

bottom,

ordinary way
ground." H.

lead your

largecork float,and

otherwise
of

the

minnow

let
fishing,

will
your

come

to

fine about
the

bait liang within

nine

top of the
about

six

"
.,

172
good defensive
enemies.

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

It

armour.

the attacks of

him from

saves

pike and

other

Fish

of prey are generally

able
solitary.The perch is a remarkexception,for although fiercelypredatory,he is very socially
gregarious. The lion hunts alone, so does the pike; the wolf hunts in

packs,the perch

in

shoals.

The

largestperch are caught by sinking

rovingwith a live minnow or gudgeon, or by spinningwith a dead
I have
taken them
wdth Flinn's flexible fishwell by spinning
one.
I have
baits,and sometimes
caught them with large,gaudy artificial
flies. There is no better way of fishing
for perch than with the paternoster
of three hooks, whipped on strong threeline
a gear consisting
inch lengths
of gut, or hog's bristles,
twelve or fifteen inches
projecting
apartfrom a very stout salmon-gutfoot-line. On the hook nearest the
and

"

bottom

I would

middle-sized

put

worm

gudgeon

the

; on

and

the

on

one

to that

next

uppermost

hook

live minnow, or
fresh shrimp,
a

small

At the extreme
frog,a gentle,caddis,wasp-grub, or caterpillar.
end of the foot-line,
a
perforatedbullet should be attached.
Bj^ its
will
and
will
bait
be
means
move
or otherwise,
kept down,
slowly,
your
Strike rather sharply
as soon
as you
accordingto the flow of the water.
feel a bite. Fish for perch from Februaryto November, in deep gravelly
streams, by the sides of the buttresses of bridges,
piles,
camp-sheds,in

eddies,below w^eirs,and

in back

waters, in docks, near

sluices,and

in

In a "Handbook
of
deep holes in the middle of strong currents.
If
I
Angling," write,
get a very large,
you fancy perch-poaching,
wide-mouthed
glassbottle,and half fillit with pure water, into which
the
put a dozen of bright,livelyminnows ; give them air by inserting
barrel of a quill,
at
each
of
the
the
end,
through
bung
bottle,
open
of perch in a river.
which sink in a pond, or
the whereabouts
The
bottled minnows
In about twenty-fourhours
will attract perch to them.
after you have sunk your decoy,come
with a paternoster-line,
or
more
baited with live minnows
small gudgeons,and you cannot but catch
or
several of the assembled and prowling perch." In the springmonths,
fish for perch from seven
to ten, a.m., and from two
o'clock,p.m., to
In summer,
dusk.
from sunrise to nine a.m., and in the afternoon,
from
"

"

four to sunset.

Ed.]

"

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

OF

THE

EEL,

AND

AND

HOW

TO

XIII.
OTHER
FISH

FISH
FOR

THAT

WANT

SCALES

THEM.

[jFourt^"ap.]
Pisc. It is

daintyfish ;
their

agreed by

the

feasts,and

Eomans
some

most

have
the

men,

that the

esteemed

queen

of

her

eel is
the

most

Helena

of

But
palate-pleasure.

COMPLETE

THE

most

differ about

men

173

ANGLER.

tlieirbreeding:

they breed
they breed,as

some

say

other fish

do, and others,that

worms
some
do, of mud ; as rats and mice, and many other
livingcreatures are bred in Egypt,by the sun's heat,when

by generationas

of the river Nilus ; or

it shines upon the overflowing
of the earth,and divers other ways.
the putrefaction

deny them

that
if any

to breed

ever

man

saw

by generationas
eel to have

an

they are answered, that they may

breedingas if they had seen spawn
certain that eels have

all

other fish

of

out

Those

do, ask,

melt 1 and
or
spawn
be as certain of their
a

for

they say,

that

they

parts,fit for

like
generation,
other fish,*but so small as not to be easily
discerned,by
of their fatness ; but that discerned they may be ; and
reason
that the he and the she-eel may be distinguished
by their fins.
Eondeletius
And
eels clingtogetherlike
says he has seen
are

dew-worms.
others say, that eels,
growing old,breed other eels out
of the corruptionof their own
age ; which. Sir Francis Bacon
And

says, exceeds

others say, that as worms

of glutinousdew-drops,
which
condensed
are

made

are

ten

not

the sun's heat in those

of

that end
thus

as

thick

bred

the

; and

straw
as

That

am

far from

with

over

young
eels did lie

have

seen, in

some
Canterbury,

sun

; and

I have heard

with

practice to

be

parts fit for generationcannot

See the method

them.

castrate

of

vol. xlviii. part, ii.,for the year 1754, page 870.

the anatomical
ignorance of Sir J, Hawkins,

surprisedat

like other

the

rivers,as namely, in Severn,where they are

fresh-water

fish,but

rivers running into the sea.

and immigrate to fresh-water

in minute

They migrate
to grow

to

in it.

portions. They

are

doubted,

doing it in
H.

"

and

at that

external
ova

and

migratory in

deposit their spawn in salt-water,

migrates to sea for a
The salmon

in salt-water ; and immigrates to fresh

grow
in
the
its
shallows.
of opinion that eels are ovipaI am
species
rous,
procreate
Young, of Invershin,
and I know, of my own
knowledge, that Mr. Andrew

different purpose
to

particular
the

on

"
No river-fish have
PhilosophicalTransactions."
of the writer in the
Eels have
of
therefore be castrated.
generation,and cannot
organs

milt

eels,about the thickness

the top of that water,
on

said to be in the

are

furnished

are

since it is a common
"
Fhilos. Trans."

[I

or

June

by

called the eels that

I

Jove.

river not

these

motes

fishes

of
offspring

July,in

the like of other

are

May

of the ancients have

some

parts of it covered
a

of

of

particular
ponds or rivers,apted by nature for
; which in a few days are, by the sun's heat,turned

beginningof
of

months

bred

some

into eels ; and

are

eels

countries,so

in the
falling

dew,
banks

And

years.

"

to

Sutherlandshire,

has

livingmale

and

from

and

bred

fatten

them

female

from
artifically
specimens. Ed.]
"

impregnated spawn,

procured

174"

COMPLETE

THE

called

yelvers;

and

in

where, about
abound

so

inhabit

near

make

be bred

there is

are,

either of

them, and eat it

to say,
quotes venerable Bede,""'
island called

an

and

of the

Ely,by reason
But

in it.

that eels

kind of bees and wasps

out of the corruption
of the earth,seems

dew, or

some

probableby the

barnacles and young

the rotten j)lanksof an

of trees ; both which

and Lobel,t and also

Bartas

with sieves

mere

of eel-cake of

worms,

the sun's heat and

hatched

of this

of eels that breed

some

as

kind

Gesner

number

may

to be made

And

England

innumerable

by

such small eels

in summer,
of the poorer sort of people that

that many
to it,take such eels out

sheets ; and
like as bread.

shire,'
Stafford-

nnto

near

mere,

time

much

or

that in

pond, or

set

ANGLER.

bred
goslings
old ship,and
truths by Du
Camden, and

related for

are

by

learned

our

laborious

Gerard,J in his Herbal.

said by Rondeletius,that

It is

rivers that relate to

the fresh waters

when

or

be

(as the

near

those eels that

salmon

does

tasted the
they have once
easilybelieve this,because I

more

beef is

most

Sir Francis

excellent bait to

Bacon

the

to

sea,

catch

desire to

certain that

powdered

eel.

an

And

kept for

Koman

to

emperor,

though

be^but ten

will allow the eel's life to

the

do),

I do the

yet he,in his History of Life and Death, mentions

to
iDelonging

to

; and

salt water
am

return

never

always

bred in

are

be made

years,

lamprey

tame, and

so

almost

threescore years ; and that such useful and

pleasantobservations were made of this lamprey,that Crassus

the orator,who kept her, lamented

in Dr. Hake will,that Hortensius
death

of

lampreythat

he had

universal

of his time

her death.
was

And
to weep

seen

kept long and

read

we

at the

loved exceed-

ingly."
*

and

The
bred

most

for
buried

scholar

St. John

under

sweet

most

of

he

was

born

at Durham

about

of great virtue, and

a man
Beverley. He was
and
died 734, and
: he
engaging disposition

671,
markable
re-

lies

at Durham.

de Lobel, or L'Obel, an eminent

physician and botanist of the
of Lisle,in Flanders.
He
a native
of
a disciple
was
century, was
the First, published
Eondeletius, and, being invited to London
by King James

t Matthias

sixteenth

and

there his" Historia Plantarum,"

with
of several books connected

died in the year

He

1616.

was

the author

medico-botany.
is John

Gerard, the firstof our English botanists :

in 1597, a
Herbal," in a large
published,
by profession surgeon
logue
CataBurleigh; and, two years after,a
folio,dedicated to the lord treasurer
of eleven
of Plants, Herbs," "c., to the number
hundred, raised and
The latter
naturalised
by himself in a large garden near his house in Holborn.
t The

he

person

here mentioned
a

was

and

"

"

is dedicated

" The

to Sir Walter

JRaleigh.

author, vol. i. p. 212, has

cited from

Pliny an

instance

of the fondness

COMPLETE

THE

all,or

It is grantedby

most

months, that is to say, the

not up and down, neither
which
and

there

of them

many

without

feedingupon

swallows

have

cold six months

; and

water

of the year, stir

in the pools in

rivers,nor

togetherbed

anything, as

soft earth

I have

live

told you some

trees,for those

swallow-

for Gesner

mud

and
themselves,

to do iu hollow

this the eel and

or

do, as not being

quotes Albert us

in the year

winter being more

1125, that year's
eels did by nature's instinct get out of the
than usually,
into a stack of hay in a meadow
upon dry ground,and

to say, that

cold

eels,for a-boiit six

get into the

w^inter weather

able to endure

that

cold months

in the

observed

been

175

men,

six

but

they usuallyare,

ANGLER.

there bedded
And

themselves,but yet at last a frost killed them.

Camden
fishes were
relates,that in Lancashire

our

where no water was

near
diggedout of the earth with spades,
of the eel,
to the place. I shall say little more
but that,
as it
is

observed,he is impatientof cold

that in

weather

warm

so

it hath been

eel has been known

an

observed,

to live ^\e

days

of the water.

out

And

let me
lastly,

tell you that

curious searchers into

some

of fish observe,that there be several sorts

the natures

or

kinds

silver

the

eel,and green or greenisheel,with

the river of Thames
which
called
abounds, and those are
flatand bigger
grigs; and a blacldsh eel,whose head is more
eel whose
than ordinaryeels ; and also an
fins are
reddish,
and but seldom taken in this nation,and yet taken sometimes :
eels,as

of

these several kinds

of eels are, say some, diversely

bred ; as
of the corruption
of the earth,and some
by dew,

namely, out
other

and

by

some

but not

by spawning as

alive from
than
I

the

might
And

other fish do,but that her brood

her,beingthen littlelive eels,

no
and

I have

truth

of it

pin :

doubt

I have

said to you : and yet it is affirmed

for certain,
that the silver eel is bred by generation,
as

ways,

had

woman,

might perhaps
less wonderful

longer

of this to

testimonies
many
myself; and if I thought it needful
it,but I think it is needless.

prove
this eel,of which

of Antonia,

biggernor

come

excuse

than

for

tame

; but the
the weakness

too

I have

said

lamprey, which
sagacity and
of

such

men

so

much

the

to

tenderness

you, may
of her

sex

docihty of these creatures seem

Hortensius, in
Crassus and
as

The former of these two

persons
by Domitius,
senate of Rome
in
the
pusillanimity,
reproached
was,
"Foolish
Crassus! you wept for your miu-aena" (or lamprey).
in these words:
*'
did for your two wives."
(Lord
That is more," retorted Crassus," than you

becoming

mourners

for the death

for this his

Bacon's

"

Apophthegms.")

"

H.

of

an

eel.

176

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

caught with divers kinds of baits ; as namely, with

powdered beef,with a lob or garden-worm,with a minnow,

be

hen, chicken,or the guts of any fish,or with

anything,for he is a greedyfish :* but the eel may be

gut of

or

almost

with
caught especially
call

some

and
pride,

Thames, and

rivers,yea, almost

other

little

very

lamprey,which

in the hot months

may

river

in the

of them

a
little,

in

usuallyas

as

be found

many
mud-heaps in
many
finds worms
in a
one

dunghill.
note, that the eel seldom

Next

therefore

himself; and

hides
with

caught by
bank, or twigs of
with

stream

many

this

the river with

to

I have

spoken

you

are

and

may

be

to

the

to fasten

by throwinga stringacross

or

it, and

at

those

baited

the

with

the

clod,or plummet,or stone, thrown into

line,that so you may in the morning find
and

place;

But

hook, or otherwise.
to be

spoken :

fixed

some

hooks

aforesaid baits,and

near

tree

the

day,but then
usuallycaught by night,

layinghooks,which

then

it

he is

of these baits of which

one

stirs in

of ; and

then

take it up

with

drag-

these

an

thingsare, indeed,too common

hour's fishing
with an anglerwill

other common
better, both for these and many
you
of
than a week's discourse.
part angling,
thingsin the practical
teach

I shall therefore conclude

tellingyou,
a

many
with
what

in

I have

summer

have

been

but a young
you, that are
snigglingis,I will now teach it to you.
because

boards
in

in

or
on

takingthe eel,by
much

taken

pleased

sport.

I told you, that eels do not

then they hide themselves
holes

day

warm

and
good eel by sniggling,

that

And

that

this direction for

usuallystir
under

angler,know

in the

You

remember

day time

covert

some

or

weirs or mills ;
or
planks about fl.ood-gates
the river banks : so that you, observingyour

warm

day, when

is

lowest,may

take

; for

under
or

in

time

strong

bear witness.
When
I dwelt
at Twickenham,
I stocked
with
house, which
fish. I liad from
of ducks, which, with their young
time to time broods
ones, took to the water.
the canal was
when
One
missed
dry summer,
very low, we
ducks,
many
young
how
but could not find out
they went.
Ilesolvingto take advantage of the
to clean the canal, a work
lowness
of the water
which
liad not been
done
for
and
drained
and
I
found
emptied
in the mud
it,
thirty years before,
a great
of them
I reserved for tlie use of my family ; which
Some
of largeeels.
number
all ; for in the stom.aclis of several of
cook
us
the
surprised
opened
by
being
them
and
heads
were
of young
found, undigested,the necks
ducks, which,
*

To

this truth

large canal

doubtless,were

the water

not

myself

adjoined

those

to

can

my

of the ducks

we

had

missed,

"

H.

small

hook, tied

long:

and then into

about

with

far

strong line,or

or

one

any

double

in

plank or

any

place

and

it is

scarce

to be

it ; and you need not

not out of the hole too

pull him
by degrees;

hole,will,with

his

any

boards

certainly
gorge

as

him

to have

or

yard

eel,within the sightof it,the eel

an

if you
out
but pullhim
quickly,
doubt

between

or

conveniently
;

as

and
instantly,

will bite

great stone

stringabout

eel may hide or shelter herself,

an
you may,
but
in
short
a
stick,
leisurely,
put
your bait,

you may
but
if
there be
doubted,
as

to

of these holes

under

you think
the help of

where
and

mill

to

177

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

he, layingfolded
break all,
the help of his tail,
for

unless you give him time to be wearied with pulling

: and
too hard.
not pulling
get him out by degrees,

so

,.-^t^^^R^^'-C.

And

for your patienthearingthis

longdirection,
tell you how to make
this Eel a most excellent

to commute

I shall next
dish of meat.

First,wash
below

him

his vent

that,take

in water

his guts as
three or

out

salt,then pulloff his skin

further ; having done

clean as you can, but wash him not :
four scotches with a knife,and then

navel,and

or

and
not

much

give him
sweet herbs,and anchovy,
put into his bellyand those scotches,
and a littlenutmeg grated,
cut very small ; and your herbs
or

then

and

anchovies

good butter
over

him

also be

must

and

salt

all but his

tie his skin

you

may

and

it must

be

so

cut

mixed

small,and

having done this,then pullhis

head,which
about

tied

very

as

to

that

you

are

to cut

part where

with
skin

to the end
off,

his head

keep all his moisture

grew ;
within his

178
:

to

and
spit,

roast him

tape or packthread

with

havingdone this,tie him

and

skin
a

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

.THE

with

baste him

and
leisurely,

water

salt tillhis skin breaks, and then with butter ; and having
let what was
roasted him enough,
put into his bellyand what
and

he

drips,be
When

his

sauce.

I go to dress
that which was

big as

S. F.

"

eel thus,I wish he

an

let

now

only excellent good,but

be not

at

though

tell you, that

me

longand

as

caught in Peterboroughriver in
yard and three-quarters
long. If

a
year 1667,which was
will not believe me, then go and see
in Westminster.
in King-street,

But

were

you

of the coffeehouses

one

the eel thus dressed

harmless

more

the

than

other

any

the eel dangerous

account
certain,that physicians
Solomon
meat
as
: I will advise you, therefore,
says of
than is sufficient,
honey, Hast thou found it,eat no more
it is

yet

way

"

surfeit ; for it is not

lest thou
let

eels and

wine

no

to

our

honey."

Italian bids

this,that the uncharitable

add

me

eat much

good to

"

us

And

give

enemies."

of your attention to tell you,

commend
the eel very
Aldrovandus, and divers physicians,
But let me
tell
much
for medicine,though not for meat.
I will

And

that
observation,

one

you

trouts,and
eels
*

beg a

little more

other

most

the eel is

fish

are

at set

of

out

never

times

at

season

as

least most

not."^

are

The

haunts

of the

eel are, weeds, under

roots, stumps of trees, holes, and

clefts of the earth, both in the banks

and at the bottom, and in the plain mud,
their
lie
with
heads
where
out, watching for prey.
only
They are also
they
found under great stones, old timber, about flood-gates,
weirs, bridges,and old
mills.

They delight
the

though
Although

smaller

in
eels

still waters, and

are

to be

met

in
with

those
in

that

are

all sorts of

foul

and

rivers

muddy
and

soils.

ciently
eels,and indeed all fish,are generated,is suffiby the foregoing notes; there yet remains a question
undecided
by naturalists ; and that is,W^hether the eel be an oviparous or a
inclines to the latter opinion. The followingrelation
viviparousfish ? Walton
"
to determine
the question:
from Bowlker
Being acquainted
may
go near
had been wife to a miller near
who
with an
elderly woman,
fiftyyears, and
much
employed in dressing of eels,I asked her if she had ever found any spawn
She said she had never
observed
but
or eggs in those eels she opened?
any;
found livingeels in them, about the bigness of a small
that she had sometimes
that she once
took out ten or twelve, and put them
needle ; and
particularly,
found
them to be alive; which was
confirmed
and
to me
the table,
by the
upon
time
of
the
The
when
of
this
the
rest
happened was, as they
family.
year
the

in which

manner

settled,as appears

makes
fortnightor three weeks after Michaelmas
; which
to
down
the
or
selves
themto
salt-water,
sea,
they go
prepare
of propagating and producing their young.
for the work
To this I must
observation
of the same
add another
made
nature, that was
by a gentleman of
fortune not far from Ludlow, and in the commission
of the peace for the county
of Salop ; who
shown
fine
a very
going to visit a gentleman, his friend,was
large eel that was going to be dressed,about whose sides and bellyhe observed
informed
me

of

me,

about

opinion that

179

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of many
other fish,whose shape and
like the eel,and frequent
both the sea
and

might here speak

nature

much

are

fresh rivers j

lamperne:

the lamprey,and
namely, the lamprel,

as

also of

as

the

Severn, about Gloucester

mighty conger, taken often in

and might also tell in what
high

of their taste. But

curiosity
these are not so proper to be talked of by me, because they
make
us
no
as
anglers
sport; therefore I will let them alone,
the Jews do, to whom
they are forbidden by their law.
there is also a Flounder, a sea-fish which
And, scholar,
esteem

of them

the

many

and there lose himself

\ery far into fresh rivers,
and thrive to a hand's breadth,and almost twice

wdll wander
and dwell

long:

so
a

:
a

for the

are

fish without

and
scales,

excellent meat

most

and

fish that affords much

with any small

sport to the angler,
but especially
a littlebluish worm
gotten out of marsh-

worm,

grovmd

or

which

meadows,

should

be well

scoured.'"' But

him suspect it had been

a parcel of little creepingthings,which
at first made
found
to be perfectlittle
were
kept too long ; but upon nearer
inspection, they
this
the
it
in
was
eels,or elvers.
Upon
immediately opened
sightof several
other gentlemen, and, in the bellyof it,they found
about as big as a
a lump
of those little creatures,closelywrapped
nutmeg, consistingof an infinite number
of water, soon
separated,and swam
up together; which, being put into a bason
about

the bason.

This

he has

neighbourhood, from some

latelyhad the satisfaction
think

this may
serve
to prove that eels are

often

told to several

of whom
of

gentlemen

I first received

having

it from

of credit in his

this account

liis own

mouth,

and

but

I have

therefore

put the matter out of all doubt, and may be sufiicient

of the viviparous kind."
Taking it for granted then that
eels do not spawn,
author
all we have to say in this placeis,that though, as our
tells us, they are never
out of season,
yet, as some
say, they are best in winter,
and worst
in May : and
it is noted to be of eels,that the longer they live the
better they are ("Angler's Sure Guide," p. 164).
Of baits for the eel,the best
small
are
lob-worms, loach, minnows,
or
pearch with the fins cut off,
pope
of
I have
pieces
bleak, as being very lucid,with which
any fish,especially
taken

to

As the angling for eels is no very pleasantamusement,

large ones.
always attended with great trouble and the risk of tackle,many, while
they angle for other fish,lay lines for the eel,which
they tie to weeds, flags,
with
"c., with marks to find them by ; or you may take a long packthread-line,
a leaden
weight at the end, and hooks looped on at a yard distance from each
other : fasten one
the lead out, and
end to the flags,
the shore, and throw
or
on
let the line lie some
time ; and in this way
probably take a pike. IT.
you may
I do not think angling for eels worthy of the accomplished Piscator.
[Note.
or
When
baited with large worms,
to catch them
a boy, I used
with night-lines
and
eels.
trout,
better with loach, which
is the best night-linebait for perch,
and

very

is

"

"

When

the rivers

transverselythreaded

worms,

about

to

flooded, I used

were

yard and

to

through

half

"

bob"

difierent parts
rod should
on

The
of whipcord.
feet in length. When

fact,a small pole twelve

entangled in the worsted, and
ashore.
Ed.]

you

of
a large bunch
worsted, and attached

for eels, with

must

be very stout"iu
eels bite, their teeth get
and stronglywhip them
up

the

suddenly

"

The

taking flounders

with

rod

and

m2

line is

thing so accidental,that

it is

180

THE

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

this,though it be most excellent meat, yet it wants scales,

to the Jews.
and is,as I told yon, therefore an abomination
But, scholar,there is a fish that they in Lancashire boast
of,called a Char ; taken there (and I think there
very much
in a mere
called Winander
Mere : a mere, says Camden,
only),
in this nation,being ten miles in length,
that is the largest

paved
(somesay)as smooth in the bottom as if it were
This fish never
exceeds fifteen or
with polishedmarble.
like a trout : and
sixteen inches in length; and is s2)otted
the back.
But this,though I do
has scarce
on
a bone, but
whether
it make the anglersport,yet I would have
not know
and of so high
you take notice of it,because it is a rarity,
and

with

persons of great note.

I have you
JSTor would
ignorantof

esteem

I shall tell you what

river Dee (which runs
by

Camden

; of which

GuiNiAD

speak.

The

fish called

rare

and others

Chester),
springsin

toward
Merionethshire; and, as it runs
Chester, it runs
through Pemble-Mere, which is a largewater : and it is
with salmon,
observed,that though the river Dee abounds
with the guiniad,
and Pemble-Mere
yet there is never
any
now

the mere, nor

a guiniadin the river.
observation shall be of the Barbel.

caught in

salmon

next

my

XIV.

CHAPTEU
OBSERVATIONS

OF

THE

his barb

or

chaps.

He

you

Barbel

The

of,that does

hardly worth
Thames,

and

A^ery seldom

mention.

the
other

The

break

same

great rivers,are

may

caught

species. In the month

chiefly of their own
such vast quantities of smelts came
up the
children

became

well remembered
fewer

than

two

anglers for
it,in
thousand

one

PISH

of

so

of those leather-mouthed

is one

TO

called,says Gesner,by reason

his mouth, which are under his nose

is

wattles at

HOW

HIM.

FOR

Pisc.

DIRECTIONS

; AND

BAEBEL

And

them

and

day, between
persons

were

be

said of smelts, which,

once

in

the

that

Thames,

been

London-bridge
employed. H.

thus

if he

bit of any small fish,but

of August, about
the year
1720,
with

I have

as

fishes,that I told

his hold

be

or

"

women,

and

even

told by persons
who
and
Greenwich, not

hooked

he is

but

so

181

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

strong,that he

will often

break

both

line,if he proves to be a big one.

But the barbel,though he be of a fine shape,and looks
big,yet he is not accounted the best fish to eat, neither for
rod and

his wholesomeness

better than the

much
as

his taste

nor

but

male

the

female,whose

is

spawn
I \villpresently
declare to you.
like sheep,and are
at the
They flock together,
which

April,about
in

season.

He

water, and

in

his

like

nose

he retires to
take

and
places,
never

placethat
in the

sun

such

he contends

hold

at

of

I think

store

E-ondeletius says,
months

they begin to

August ;

but thus

from

the

custom

in

quieterand

are

deeper:

in

time,he spawns, and, as

the help of the melter,hides

theyboth digin
to

the

it with

cover

gravel,

the

same

other fish.

by

Danube, that
placesof it,and in some

of this fish in the river

in

they may

some

by those that dwell near to the

hands, eightor ten load at a time : he says,
to be so
good in May, and that they cease

it is found

in this nation

be otherwise

and
to the

them, even

the spawn

the month
Gasius

of

May

declare

endangeringof
of the barbel

is known

is

; which

it had

an

taken

so

certain,

ill eflect upon

their lives.*

to be

of

poisonous nature, yet

find it
by country people medicinally ; who
And, notwithstanding what
powerful emetic and cathartic.
it is often

of a barbel,
agree with him, that the spawn
poison,as he says, yet that it is dangerous meat,

Gesner

Though

to

we

in
especially

that

be

but

far

if it be not
and

force him

of the year, be taken

river,with their
in

times
some-

about that

you, with
which
or eggs in holes,
they mutuallylabour

be such

yet

weeds, that be the

is his constant

sand, to prevent it from beingdevoured

There

waters, and by degreesretires

shallow

formerlytold

his spawn
and then

himself

sands

sport themselves
the approachof winter,then he forsakes

the river that

I have

gravel

on

dig in the

livingcreatures

to those

and
places,

or

This

and

which

sharpest

or
or
bridges,
flood-gates,
in
hollow
amongst pilesor

able to

the swift streams

parts of

and

to feed

and

nest

moss

not

for.

he and most

but

swift

himself

swift,it is

so

when

summer,

deep

weeds,and

there

and

he will nest

weirs,where
water

hog,and

to be

quicklygrow

the shallowest

will root

risingground,and

againsta
with

they love

in

worst

strongestswifts of the

live in the

is able to
summer

but

they spawn,

love to lurk under

; and

streams

time

reputed
hurtful,

is very

at

once,

is said

most

of the

182
This fish is of

AIs^GLER.

COMPLETE

THE

are
scales,which
placed after
and, as I told you, may
manner,

than
lost

to be

good meat

he have, I

and

ill,

to be

rather said not

be

the chub

curious

and

exact

most

small

shape,with

handsome

and

fine cast

think,both

part of their credit by ill cookery,they being reputed

the worst

affords
fish ;

fish.

of fresh-water

coarsest

or

the Barbel

But

anglerchoice sport,being a lustyand

an

cunning

lustyand cunning as to endanger the breakingof

the angler's
towards
line,by running his head forcibly
any
covert or hole or bank, and then striking
to break
at the line,
it off,
with his tail,
is observed
as
by Plutarch in his book
De Industria Animalium
;" and also so cunning,to nibble
so

"

and

suck off your

the hook
letting

close to the

worm

hook, and yet avoid the

into his mouth.

come

The

barbel is also curious for his baits ; that is to say, that

they be clean and sweet ; that is to say, to have your worms
well

scoured,and

kept in

not

curious feeder ; but at

boldlyas

as

before you

of the flesh,'
with
About
the mouth

the spawn.
mine, who had

part of

eaten

[Note.

September, in
barbel, though as I
of

the spawn,
seized with
was
cost him his life. H.

such

much

of the

I doubt

"

or

roe

the

very
flesh

Dr. Bloch

tasteless.

delicate fish ;" and

eaten

the

roe

the doctor's

cooking in

or

the

says,
adds, that

it

produces the

the year 1754,

had
cautioned

same
a

two

you
effects

servant

of

stained
him, he ab-

violent purging and

vomiting,as

"

in

Their

allegednoxious properties either

of July,
condition, in the month
edible qualities are
bad
that is,
"

not overgrown,
is
barbel, when
himself, together with his whole

sufficiently
family,had

effect."
I believe the latter part of
any bad
subscribe to the former part of it. All the
I cannot

without

assertion,but

cannot

render

tell me,
puntmen
relish is to fry slices of it with
them."

when

October.
"

spawn

the world

the truth

of barbel

and

Thames

dgree with

he will bite

"

August, September,

The

constitutions

some

like to have

of the

lob- worm

for he is

moss,

if,the night or
any bait,and especially
fish for him, you shall bait the placeswhere

wholesomeness

from

well scoured

musty

at

as

had

and

sour

Ed.]

the

the

good

flesh of barbel

only

of

"

delicate.'*
sufficiently

rendering barbel
way
rashers
of fat bacon.
I am

passable

inclined

to

intend

to fish for

note, that

late for

too

or

which
gentles,
choice

with

him,

did

none

And

; and

bait for him

hard, but kept a day or

is

so

in

two

will bite also at

scoured,but

cheese,which
a

pieces;* and
fish too early

nor
place,

the barbel

much

being too

not

into

cut

overbait the

ever

183

GLEE.

big worms

barbel.

AN

COMPLETE

THE

are

gTeen,

is not

to be too

linen cloth to make

wet

it

this you may also bait the water a day or two

the likelier to
fish for the barbel,and be much

with

tough:

before you
laid in clarified honey
catch store ; and if the cheese were
a short time
before,as namely,an hour or two, you are still
the

likelier to catch

cheese into thin

with

with

tallow
sheep's

fine silk

and

and

that it is

have

some

and
pieces,

hook

paste,and

fish :

directed

to

then

tie it

it,and

toast

soft cheese beaten

choicelygood

in

on

the
the

fish for the barbel

advise to

some

cut

worked

or

into

I believe

August,and

it ; but doubtless the lob-worm

well scoured,and the gentle
scoured ; and cheese ordered as I have directed,
not too much
baits

are

though
and

enough, and

I shall commend

is industrious

together
;

that when

will

improve the

to

and

I shall

and

any

tries

And

month,

conclusions,

my honest
tedious discourse are
both

art.

my

in

serve

angler that

any

scholar,the longshower
ended

think

give you

but

now,

this

observation,

barbel,your rod and line be both long

and of good strength,
for,as I told you, you will find him a
heavy and a doggedfish to be dealt withal,yet he seldom or
you

breaks

never

would

fish for

his hold if he be

know

into favour with

and

of

more

for
fishing

Doctor

strucken.

once

the

umber

And

if you

barbel,get

or

Sheldon,whose skillis above others

of that the poor that dwell about him have

comfortable

experience.
And
pay

for

us

in the

let

now

us

go

our
letting

Pisc.

you

see

what

interest the

lie
angle-rods

water, for their

take up 1
Yen.
Which

and

Come,

use.

so

trouts

long and

so

which
scholar,

will

quietly
will you

think

master.
fit,
shall take up that,for I

Why, you
the
line,it has
viewing

certain,by

am

you, scholar ! well

done ! Come, now
take up the other too : well ! now
you
have
tell
brother
that
a
at
caught
Peter,
night,
my
you
may
towards
leash of trouts this day. And
let's move
our
now

made

All this

paragraph deserves

in it prove

that

Walton

was

fish at it.

the attention
an

Look

of the reader.

expert barbel fisher.

"

The observatioua
Ed.

184

THE

drink

and
lodging,

COMPLETE

ANGLER.

draughtof

red

and

give pretty Maudlin

and

for their supper.

Ven. Master, I like your

her

cow's

honest

milk

as

mother

we

go ;
brace of

trouts

motion

very well ; and I think it

yonderthey be at it.

; and
milking-time
! I thank you both for
Pisc. God speedyou, good woman
our
songs last night: I and my companion have had such
this day,that we
resolve to give you and
fortune a-fishing
now

about

Maudlin

is

brace of trouts

draughtof

your

MiLK-W.
and

Marry, and

I will stillbe your

will but speakthe

you
of new
and

for supper;
red cow's milk.

eat it ; and

word, I w411 make

Maudlin

you
sit down

you may
shall sit by and

old song of the " Hunting in Chevy

for she hath store of them
good ballad,

Maudlin,hath

will

we

that you shall with

debtor when
you come

then

verjuice
; and

and

taste

now

all my heart ;
If
this way.

goodsyllabub

in

haycock,

the

singyou

Chase,"or

some

honest

Maudlin, my

good
other

notable memory,
and she thinks nothingtoo
good for you, because you be such honest men.
Yen. We
thank you ; and intend once
in a month, to call
a

again,and giveyou
night; good night.Maudlin.
upon
lose

you

time ; but tell me

no

And

somewhat

first,
something of
you please,
Pisc. I will,honest scholar.
[Remarks

on

Baebel.

the

littlewarning ; and

now,
more

for
fishing

Very little

"

so, good

good master, let's

of fishing
; and, if
a gudgeon.

can

be added

to

improve

this excellent,and practically

written
and prettily
chapter practical
for the greaterpart of it,and very pleasanttowards its close. The river
"

Lea, Walton^s
devoid

in fine barbel

pet river,abounded

of them

So

now.

best rivers in

in his

day,and

is not

did the Thames, and it stilldoes so.

the Thames
and the Trent

The

"br barbel,are

England
; and
of fishing
for the bearded, fluvial grenadier,
is by means
of the ledger
-line. I'lltell you how it is made.
On your foot-line of
inches above the hook, fasten a number
four
stronggut,about eighteen

the best mode

shot, and
Between

twelve

inches

above

that

the shots the line should

another

consist of

shot

of

gimp ;

and

the

same

between

size.
them

bullet
so, to allow the gimp to run
perforated
freely
Your hook
througheasily.Instead of shots,double knots will answer.
should be a number
and
bait
a largew^ell-scom'ed lob-worm,
six,
your
Yoiu* winch line should run
or
better,two middle-sized ones.
freely
off the winch.
Pull in your bullet to within a yard of the top of the
it to the spot which has been already
rod, and then fling
ground-baited
there must

be

with lob-worms.

stream,and your
the barbel
seized,

"

When
w^orms

will

run

the bullet sinks,it will rock to and

will

keep moving

with

with it until it is checked

it.

When

by the

fro in the
the bait is

bullet

coming

185

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

iu contact,and being arrested by the upper shot or bullet on the foot

line. The anglerimmediatelyfeels the check, and strikes smartlyas he
does so.
Indeed, it often happens that the result of this check is the

hookingof

the fish,
or

part hookingof
running down

rate the

at any

shot,or knot, preventsthe bullet from

the

fishingwith

on

too
ground-bait

cannot

ledger-line,
you

him.

The

lower

the bait.

In

for
profusely

and whilst you are doingso

you begin to fish,
of
ball
half
hour
or
a
large
claystuffed with worms^
so,
in,every
for
it drop by the spot at which your hook-bait lies. The worms
letting

three

or

nightsbefore

four

throw

ground-baitshould not be scoured,but those for hook-baits should be

If you fish with one
so.
worm,
put it on your hook thus :
perfectly
insert the

pointof

the hook

littlebelow the head into the throat of the

beyond the shank, until not

at the point of the
than half an inch of the tail part projects
more
it
not to perforate
hook.
in threadingthe worm,
You must take care
with the hook's point after the first perforation.When
you use two
time
I warmly advocate for
the hook at the same
a practice
worms
on
commence
as well as for barbel
puttingon the
perch and trout fishing,
worm,

and

then

work

it

carefully
up

and

"

"

firstworm
the

worm

of the hook

above the shank

the
entering

out at its middle,and

before,but bring the hook

as

hook

the tail,
work

the

about

an

worm

up

inch,or half
the hook

then

take then the second worm,

an

draw
and

inch,accordingto size,above

until its head

reaches within

one-

until the

point. Draw down the upper worm,

close contact,and you will then have the best
vermicular bait that can be used for largefish. If you anglewith gentles,
fish with as many
and you must
with gentles,
as
you must ground-bait
like
hooks.
Barbel
of number
six,seven or eight
you can put on a triangle
eighth of

an

tails of both

come

largebait, and

or
salmon-roe,

of

inch of the
into

in

fishingfor

bullock's

pith,
you

them

must

with

put
the
fishing,

prepared cheese,greaves,

your hook of each the size

best hooks are those that are

on

largehazel nut. In worm

with gentles,
"c.,the best
pastes,
smoothlyround in the bend; in fishing
or franThe latter keep on fragile
"sneck-bend."
are
Kirbyor Carlisle's
a

TEDDINQTON

WEIR,

186

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

giblebaits better than the former. Worms

and earlywinter ones.
autumn
of the
The barbel is one of the largest
naturalists
two

by

lower

It not

the

length,and

is often

twelve,and

fourteen
occasionally

former, and
It is

one.

caught in

to

the

several miles

handsome

silver-hued

on

attains
unfrequently
Thames

and

three

feet in

Trent, weighingten,

in all the
pounds. They are plentiful
to Sonning
largerivers,from Twickenham

of those

deep running waters

back, and

it is known

Cyprinus Barhus, and Barhus vulgaris;it has

wattles,at each side of the upper jaw, which is much

longerthan

latter.

tribe,and

carp

the names,

beards,or

in the

baits;pastes

earlysummer

are

and
the

above

and

below

powerfulfish ;

very

belly.

Its fins

are

Nottingham
olive-coloured

in the
on

the

the
large,especially
most rapid currents,

it can
stem the
pectoralones, and by their means
with
the
and fight
when
hooked,
fiercely,
angler. In playingthis fish,
the line should always be kept taut, for if itbe relaxed the fish will make
for the bottom, or some
and seize between his leathern lipsa
stronghold,
adhere to.
root,or any substance he can with tenacity
Being a flatbellied fish,he feeds close to the bottom, and should be angled for with
the bait lyingupon it. In the summer
months fish early
and late for the

barbel

in

deep streams.

As

soon

as

lightfrosts

in,barbel retire

set

to

still sheltered waters, and should be angled for only in the forenoon
and afternoon.
They do not bite well in long-continued
dry weather,but
do after

heavy rains. Ed.]

"

CHAPTER
OBSERVATIONS

ON

THE
AND

XY.

GUDGEON,
HOW

THE

FISH

TO

RUFFE,

THE

AND

BLEAK;

THEM.

FOR

[dTourt^39ap"]
PiSC. The

and

to

is

reputeda

he vety ^v^hofesome

and
colour,
tail.

Gudgeon

He

beautified with
breeds two

or

he

black

fish of excellent

is of

fine

spots both

shape,of
on

silver

body and
and always

his

three times in the year,

taste,

THE

in

the

streams, and on
and do not hunt
to be taken

ground ; and he
the gravel. He

with

small

fish of excellent nourishment

Groundling,by

sharp

the barbel both feed so,

time,as most other fishes do :
and

angler,
beingeasy

young

red-worm, on

or

to the

near

ground.

fish that has his teeth in

of those leather-mouthed

He

is

his

throat,and will hardlybe lost off from the hook

one

of his

reason

there feasts himself in

for flies at any

excellent fish to enter

most

for

call him

Germans
the

feedingon

he is

is commended

He

summer.

187

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

if he be

strucken.

once

They

be

usuallyscattered

shallows,in the heat of

the

and

up

down
; but

summer

river

every

in

autumn, when

in

beginto grow sour and rot,and the weather colder,

they gathertogether,and get into the deep parts of the
water, and are to be fished for there,with your hook always
or with
touchingthe ground,if you fish for him witli a float,
will fish for the Gudgeon by hand, with a
a cork ; but many
the weeds

running line

upon the ground, without

fished for ; and it is an excellent way,
rod and as gentlea hand."'
There

is also another

fish called

cork,as

if you

have

Pope, and

trout

gentle

by

is

some

the
every quarter of an hour rake
H.
of the river,and the fish will flock thither in shoals.
geon
In fishing for gudis imperfect and obscure.
[This note of Sir J. Hawkins
of the river so
from a punt, it will not be necessary
to rake the bottom
be raked
the gravel must
up ; in
long as you have bites. When
they
*

In

fishingfor gudgeons, have'a rake, and

bottom

"

cease,

doing wliich,the water is muddied, and worms

The gudgeon by instinct swim
towards
up.
take the angler'sbait dropped thereon.
As

larvae very likely are

the water
as
the spot, and
and

soon

as

nibbling

ceases

stirred

clears,

again,the

more
must
once
but
of
an
hour,"
quarter
repeated, not
every
process
caused
is
by
bait
cessation
your
to
time
be
The
ceases
attacked.
your
every
any
having caught all the gudgeons on the spot, or by there not having been
are
requisite
of
ground
and
continual
there at all. Continual
change
raking

punt is to be removed

be used.

to secure

"Ed.]

The

up

or

must

down

stream

and
little,

be

the rake

"

successful gudgeon-angling
"

sort

of

pis-allerpiscatorialpastime.

188

COMPLETE

THE

Ruffe,

fish that is not

known

to be in

pearchfor his shape,and

pearch,but will not grow to

much

like the

than

the

is

He

gudgeon.

excellent

an

taste,and
pleasanter
for he
angler,

is

of them

abundance

he

fish,no

rivers

some

taken

found
twice
You

must

ground

There

is also

in

justas

in

summer

you

is of

fish that swims

to

with

enter

small red- worm

a
a

young

sometimes

; and

earth,it is excellent.
bleak,or fresh-water sprat,a

if you

with
a

motion,and therefore called by some

for

is

bigger than

be

is also excellent

he

greedybiter ; and they will usuallylie

in one
reserved place,
where the
together,
if he has
runs
quietly
; and an easy angler,

fish for him

bait the

be better

to

deep and
catch fortyor fifty,
where
or
they lie,
may
at a standing.
as
many,
is

water

ever

ANGLER.

shall observe

fish that is

the

the swallow

river-swallow;
be most evenings

to

in

motion, making short and quick turns

when
he fliesto catcli files in the air,by which he lives,
so
does the bleak at the top of the water.
Ausonius
would have
him

ever

called Bleak

from

his whitish

colour

his back

is of

green, his bellywhite and shining

the mountain
snow
as
doubtless,
; and
though he have the
to be neglected,
fortune,which virtue has in poor people,
yet

sad
pleasant

the bleak

or

water

sea-

be much

ought to

valued,thoughwe

salt,and the skill that the Italians have

anchovies.
line

that

fish may

This

is,six

or

be

caught
small

eightvery

to turn

with

hooks

Allamot

want

them

into

Pater-noster

tied

along the

devotees
to
rosary, or string of beads, is used by the Roman-Catholic
their pater-nosters,or prayers,- a line with many
assist them
in numbering
hooks at small distances from each other, though it little resembles
a stringof
*

pater-noster line. H.
the
a
[Every
rosary is larger than the others, so that when
devotee comes
to it with his lingers,touching this largebead at the end of each
tenth pater-noster,or Lord's prayer, he knows
without
the trouble of counting
beads, is thence
tenth

or

looking,that

called

bead

he

"

on

has

repeated

the

prayers ten

times.

rosary

consists of

COMPLETE

THE

half

line,one
thus

at

time,

one

the other

foot above

the

and

189

ANGLEE.

I have

bait has

been

five

seen

caught

gentles,than

which

is better.

none

which
and

be

this fish may

is to be of

Or

the

for bleaks

in

long,and

six foot

Sir

heard

in

brown

Wotton

Henry

is

the

hazel

small,
sport than

bank, in the

length of
there

fly,

very

better

no

on

that

say,

artificial

colour, and

There

line twice

small

fine

boat, or
evening, with

summer's

sad

very

answerable.

hook

whipping
water,

with

caught

swift

top about

Rye

the rod.

I have

be

that

many

or

in

martins ;'^this birdItalywill catch swallows so, or especially

angler standing on the top of a steepleto do it,and w^ith a
line twice
And
let me
tell
so
long as I have spoken of
you,

scholar,that both

and

bleaks

have

known

martins

excellent

be most

meat.

And

let

tell you,

me

that

constantly frequent one

with a big minnow
or
must

be

links

of

ten

by Roman

by the confessor

before

and
Pater-noster
more

lines
three

than

bristle,from

the

are

to

in

he

now

can
or

not

Avhen

at

least

one

foot

that

hook

line

did

baited

and

so
stafi*,
big

hook
she

as

yards.

exceeding two

grant absolution.
Maries, for

generally used

hern

Rosaries
two
are
larger beads.
saying penitential prayers, enjoined

Hail

hooks, projecting, by
foot-line

The

loose

some

with

gudgeon.

each, between

Catholics

Marias,

Ave

small

it,a line

beads

especially used

place, caught

tied

with

flyaway

cannot

several

strong, and

for
means

instance,

For

so

many

nosters
pater-

particular sin confessed.

have
perch-fishing. They seldom
of being whipped
on
a
pig's
some

apart.

The

hook

nearest

the

bottom

and
minnow,
worm,
gudgeon
that nearest
the surface
of the water
Tike
with
a gentle.
frequently fished
are
for with
with
a very
strong pater-noster, mounted
large hooks, each of which
is to be baited
with
This line is
live
a
gudgeon, dace, roach, or small trout.
sunk
bullet.
XII.
of
See
at
end
of
remarks
the
Ed.]
a
by means
Chapter
*
It
Sir J. Hawkins
in his time.
in England
common
says, this practice was
ing
walki
s
is not so now.
it frequently liappens that when
However,
a fly-fisher
his rod held
perpendicularly,
along the banks, or through the fields,with
lows,
and
his artificial flies streaming behind
taken
in the air,that they are
by swalIf artificial
swifts,martins, and several of the fly-catching tribe of birds.
flies deceive
fish,why should
they not deceive birds ? Ed.
should

be

baited

with

the

next

with

live

or

"

"

^iLJ

190

CHAPTER
IS

THAT

OR

NOTHING,

OF

XVI.
IS

WHICH

NOTHING

WORTH.

Bap.]
[JFourtI)
Pisc.

My

roach

give you

to

purpose was
and dace,and

other inferior

some

angler excellent sport, for

pleasurein huntingthe hare than
the

""forbear at this time

come

that

you,

to say any

London,
remember, I will
Well

you and
if I have now
as

met, gentlemen

from

as

this very door.

Come,
ready ? Come, first give us
for I believe

can,

you

Peter, and

brother

tell me

then

what

trouts, ofwhich
and
for
and

brace

yet

scholar

now

I have

we

meet

so
are
as

just
you?
quick

hungry. Well,

both ; come
drink,and
you
two
have caught but ten
we

look,here's eight,

had

most

have

we

away :
talking,and

Coridon

then

can

caught three

gave

hungry, and
And

luck of fish

hostess,where
drink, and be

all very

are

Coridon,to

my

fishingand

Pet.
and

we

we

towards

to-morrow

you.

togetherat
Is supper

yonder
promise

you see
but I will

lucky that

this is

more

I will

; but

forgottenanything that

keep it

not

walk

make

is

because

Coridon

fish,and

there

eatingher

in

ing
concern-

which
fish,

know

you

more,

brother Peter and honest

our

directions

some

returned

are

rest will be

meat

and

and

I have

had

caughtbut fiye trouts

good honest ale-house,and

there

not
:

pleasantday

home

an

both

weary

pleasant.
unpleasantday,

for indeed

we

went

to

playedat shovel-board

we

half the day ; all the time that it rained we

were
there,and
and I am
as
gladwe are now with
merry as they that fished;
over
our
heads,for hark how it rains and blows.
a dry house

Come, hostess,give us
haste you

may

and

ale,and

more

when

we

have

supper with what

supped,let us have your

song, Piscator,and the catch that your

else Coridon will be dogged.
or
Pisc.
not

want

Yen.

I will
JSTay,

be

worse

scholar

promised us

than

my word ; you shall

I shall be perfectin it.

song, and I hope

I hope the like for my
catch,which I have
and therefore let's go merrilyto supper, and then

my
And

ready too :
have a gentle touch
with

not

our

moderation.

at

singingand drinking;

but

the

last

for your
Gome, now
Come, hostess,lay a few more
CoK.

sing when
Pisc.

you
Well

191

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

; for

song

sticks

have

we

the

on

fed

fire.

heartily.
And

now

will.

then, here's

Coridon

to you,

; and

now

song.

gallantfisher's life,
It is the best of any !
'Tis full of pleasure,void of
0 the

'tis beloved

And

by

many

---""^

strife,
:

Other joys
Are but toys;
this

Only

Lawful
For

is ;
skill

our

Breeds

no

But content
In

and

morning up

Drink

to wash

the

sluggardsleeping.

Then

go

we

With

When

knacks

our

At

our

To

such

backs
streams

As the Thames,
have the leisure.

pleaseto walk abroad

our
recreation.
fields is our abode,

we

For
In the

Full of delectation
Where
With
Or

Fish

We

can

take ;

we

sit

we

For

bit,

have
We

brook,
a hook.
lake,
in

There
Till we
We

eyes ;

our

and fro

To

we

peeping;

cup

Leave

If

rise

we

Aurora's

Ere

ill.
pleasure.

fish

entangle.

gentlesin

horn.

have paste and

watch

both

SuJBferrain and

worms

too

nightand

storms

too.

None do here
Use to swear
;
Oaths do fray
Fish

away

We sit still
And watch our
Fishers must

not

quill;
wrangle.

morn,

for my

192

THE

COMPLETE

ANGLER.

If the sun's excessive heat

Make our bodies swelter,
To an osier-hedge
we
get
For

friendlyshelter

in

Where
Perch

or

dike,
pike,

Koach

or

dace.

We do chase ;
Bleak or gudgeon,
Without grudging:
We

are

stillcontented.

Or we sometimes pass an hour

Under a green willow.
That defends us from a shower

Making

earth

Where
Think

we

and

Before

our

"

pillow:

may
pray,

death,

Stops our

breath

Other joys
Are but toys,
And

Well

Yen.
and this
in

more

alone

to be lamented.

sung, master

and

this

"

Jo. Chalkhill.

day'sfortune

song, do all make

night's
company
love with angling. Gentlemen,

for

an

himself from

hour

and

my

pleasure,
and

more

me

master

left

me

day ; and I verilybelieve he retired

talkingwith me, that he might be so perfect
this

it not, master
?
in this song : was
Pisc. Yes, indeed ; for it is many
I
and having forgotten
a part of it,

by the help of mine own

as my
part of the
poetry,

years since I learned it,

forced to patch it up
was
invention,who am not excellent at

: but of that I will

song may testify
by discommending
say no more, lest you should think I mean
of it. And therefore,
it to beg your commendations
without
let us hear your catch,scholar,
which I hope will
replications,

be

; for you

good one

are

both

musical,and

have

good

fancy to boot.
Yen.
have

my

as
fishing

Marry, and
honest
we

that you shall j and

master
tell me
some
more

walk

and

fish towards

as

London

freelyas
secrets

I would

of fish and

to-morrow.

But,

master, firstlet me tell you, that very hour which you were
under a willow tree by the side,
absent from me, I sat down
waterof the owner
of
you had told me
in which you had then left me
that pleasantmeadow
; that he
had a plentiful
estate,and not a heart to think so ; that he
had at this time many
law-suits depending,and that they
and

considered

what

193

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

both

damped liismirth and took up so much of his time and

that he himself had not leisure to take the sweet
thoughts,
that I, who
content
pretendedno title to them, took in his
fields :'^*for I could

sit there

fishes

sport themselves

water,

see

others

leapingat filesof

the

on

some

several

looking on

in the silver

the

streams,

shapesand

colours ; looking
spottedwith woods and

them

I could behold
hills,

and

quietly;

lookingdown the meadows, could see, here a boy

gatheringlilies and lady-smocks,and there a girlcropping
and cowslips,
all to make
garlandssuitable to this
culverkeys

groves ;

of

present month

May

these,and

other

many

field-flowers,

so
perfumed the air,that I thought that very meadow
that field in Sicilyof which
Diodorus
speaks,where

perfumes arisingfrom
in it to

fall

placemake

the

to lose their

and
off",

all

like
the
hunt

dogs that

I say,

hottest scent.

as

thus sat,joyingin my own

that owned
poor rich man

happy condition,and pityingthis

this and
other pleasant
many
about me, I did thankfullyremember

groves and meadows

what my Saviour said,that the meek

possess the earth ; or

the others possess and enjoynot ; for

rather,they enjoywhat
men
anglersand meek quietspirited
those restless

they,and
it

which
thoughts,

they only, can

corrode

say,

free from

are

high,

of life ; and

the sweets

the

as

those

pressed
poet has happilyex-

Hail blest estate of lowliness !

Happy enjoyments of such minds

As, rich in self-contentedness.

Can, like the reeds in roughest winds,
make that blow but small,
By yiekling
At which proud oaks and cedars fall.
There
in

came

also into my

praiseof

estate

written

excellent

mean

Phineas

by
and
angler,
is so much

There

let it pass would

author's meaning, or
to

to

meant
well

as

the rich.

all the land

and

time,certain

at that

an

mind

humble

Fletcher, an

verses

they

were

divine,and

excellent

an

eclogues,
piscatory

the author of excellent

morality included in this sentiment, that

inexcusable
in one
who
pretends to illustrate the
he evidently
his
excellence.
The precept which
display
fine and

useful

be

inculcate,is

pleasureshuman

mind,

very comfortable
one,
is capable of, lie open
It is not necessary
that a man
a

nature

in prospect from

Windsor

Terrace

viz.,that

or

to the

liichmond
we

H.

greatest
as

poor

fee-simpleof

Hill, to enjoy the

imagine

of his most
"

the

have

should

beauty of those two delightfulsituations ; nor can

Lord
Burlington was ever
delighted in the view
his grace the Duke
of Devonshire's.
Chiswick, now

of the

some

in common

and

that

no

one

but

elegant villa

at

194

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

you shall see the pictureof this

I wish mine to be like it.*

in which
and

No

empty hopes, no

No

beggingwants

But sweet

his middle

that
life,

Is full of thousand

coolest

With

fright
;

miseryand

never

spite.

deceive him,
rich content

can

and

sweets

beeches

smooth-leaved

The

liim

fortune bite

exiles both

content

His certain

courtlyfears

good man's mind,

in the field receive

shade, till noontide's heat

him,

be spent.

His life is neither toss'd in boisterous seas

Or the vexatious world, or lost in slothful ease ;
when he his God can
Pleased and full bless'd he lives,
His

safe than

bed, more

please.

soft,yieldsquietsleeps.
place;

While by his side his faithful spouse hath

His little son into his bosom creeps,
The lively
pictureof his father's face ;

house or poor state ne'er torment

him
His humble
Less he could like,if less his Grod had lent him ;
And when he dies,green turfs do for a tomb content him.
"

Gentlemen, these

part of the thoughtsthat then

I here made

And

me.
possessed

were

conversion

of

pieceof

an

to it,fitting
them to be sung by
catch,and added more
anglers.Come, master, you can singwell ; you must singa
part of it as it is in this paper.
Peter.
Ay marry, sir,this is music indeed; this has
to remember
cheered my heart,and made me
six verses
in
praiseof music, which I will speakto you instantly.

old

Music

! miraculous

rhetoric,that speakestsense

Without a tongue, excelling

eloquence;
be excused,
With what ease might thy errors
Wert thou as trulyloved as thou'rt abused !
and some
But though dull souls neglect,
reprove
hate

I cannot

Ven.

And

called

to my

the

thee,'cause

of
repetition

memory

angle,says of love and

what

thee,

the angelslove thee.

Mr.

these last
Ed.

verses

of music

Waller,ta lover

has

of the

music.

of this person, whose name

be great injusticeto the memory
is
without
him
notice.
to
He was
the son
by
of Giles
now
hardly known,
pass
from Queen Elizabeth
to the Duke
Fletcher, doctor of laws, and ambassador
of
of
fellow
and
the
author
of a fine allea
College,
Cambridge,
King's
Muscovy ;
gorical
*

It would

intitled," The Purple Island," printed at Cambridge,with other

poem,
the passage
in 4to. 1633 ; from whence
in the text, with a little
of his poems,
H.
variation,is taken.
of angling induced
for the honour
him
to enumet As the author's concern
rate
"

such
me

to add

lovers of that recreation, the reader will allow

persons of note as were
Mr.
John Gay to the number.
Any one who reads the first canto

195

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

Whilst I listen to thy voice,

I feel my heart decay:
Chloris,
That powerfulnoise
soul away :
fleeting
magic sound,
suppress
Which destroyswithout a wound

Calls my

that

Peace, Chloris,
peace,

or

singingdie,

That together
you and I
To heaven may go ;
all

For

we

know

Of what

the blessed do above

Is

they sing,and

"

that

that

remembered, brother Peter

Pisc. Well

and
seasonably,

thank

we

host and

my
jointogether,
then
and
over
again,

each

you

all,and
man

And

Cor.

Good

so

these

heartily.Come,
sing my

verses
we

came

will all

scholars

catch

drink the other cup, and

dry house over our heads.

bed, and thank God we have a

Pisc. Well now, goodnightto
And so say I.
Peter.
Yen.

they love.

to

everybody.

say I.

nightto

you

and
all,

I thank

you.

Rural
and
Sports,"and observes how beautifully
Georgic,"intitled
would
conclude
the author a proaccuratelyhe treats the subject of fly-fishing,
ficient
I have been assured,by an intimate
his chief amusement,
: but that it was
fished
with
of
who
has
him
in the river Kennet, at
friend
mine,
frequently
in
the
of
his
the
Duke
of
seat
Wilts,
Amesbury
Queensberry.
grace
the followingaddition to this note, for the sake of a
reader will excuse
The
of the material
used in fly-making,which
beautiful description
is quoted from

of his

"

"

the above-mentioned
"

[Note.

"

:
poem
To frame the httle animal,provide
All the gay hues that wait on female pride:
Let nature guide thee ; sometimes
golden wire
The shiningbellies of the flyrequire;
The peacock'splumes thy tackle must
not fail.
Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail ;
Each gaudy bird some
slender tribute brings.
And
lends the growing insect proper wings ;
Silks of all colours must
their aid impart.
And
every fur promote the fisher's art :
So the gay lady,with expensive care,
Borrows
the pride of land,of sea, of air ;
Purs, pearls,and plumes, the glittering
thing displays.
Dazzles our eyes, and easy hearts betrays.""H.

Very

few

Sombre-hued

"

gaudy

fliesare

necessary

for artificialfliesfor the common

generally the best. All the materials, except silk,for

making them are produced in this country, feathers and furs, except the yellow
monkey's and bear's fur. It is only for salmon-fly materials that we are obliged
to the gaudy feathers of the birds of the New
recourse
to have
World, and of

trout.

of Africa

and

are

Asia.

The common
cock of diflerent colours, the starling
partridge,the pheasant,the green and grey plover,the wren,
The
grouse, tom-tit, red-wing, landrail,dotterel,furnish the usual feathers.
water-rat, squirrel,
hedgehog, seal,spaniel,hare, cow, pig,furnish furs or woolly
floss-silk of different colours,are
and
substances, which, togetherwith mohair
the generalsubstances of which the bodies of trout-fliesare fashioned.
Ed.]

those

the mallard, the

"

n2

196

THE

honest Coridon
:

occasion to

us

kindly.

Peter.

man

hostess may not

shillings
; that so my
and using
repentherself of beingso diligent,

his two

have
so

come,

let us each

lay down

and

the like to yoii,

shillings
my hostess says there is seven
drink a pot for his morning's
draught,

Peter,and

Good-morrow, brother

Pisc.

to pay

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

is liked

motion

The

here's your money

will not be long

:
ere

we

by everybody ; and
all

anglersare

I'll see

hostess,

And

brother

now,

you and my brother your scholar a fair

good fortune. Come, Coridon, this is our way.

Piscator,I
and

wish

CHAPTER
EOACH

OP

AND

AND

day

XYII.

AND

DACE,

it

beholdingto you,

again.

you

so,

TO

HOW

OF

FISH

FOR

THEM

CADIS.

[jfim Bap.]
Ven.
so

Good

courteous

master, as
as

we

give me

to

towards

now

go

more

instructions

several boxes

in which

very

of them

in my memory,
safe,there shall not one

I will

Well, scholar,that I will,and

from you that I can remember, and can
have

so

dace, I will giveyou

some

I have

said

for I have

keep them

I will hide
think

in this art.
perfection

time, and

much

be still
all

be lost.

Pisc.

forward towards

London,

so

may

And

nothing
help you

because

little of roach

we

and

directions

concerningthem.
called from rutilus,
which
so
they
is a fish of no great reputation
for

say the Koach is

red fins. He
say signifies
is accounted
much
his dainty taste ; and his spawn
better
And
that as the
than any part of him.
you may take notice,
carp is accounted the water-fox for his cunning; so the roach
Some

is accounted

the

for
water-sheep,

It is

noted, that the roach

grow

in season,

chub

in

month

in the like
water.

and

his

or foolishness.
simplicity

dace

and
strength,

recover

after spawning ;
fortnight

a
:

the trout

in four months

time, if he getsinto the

sea, and

the

barbel

and

; and the salmon

after into fresh

COMPLETE

THE

Koaches

be accounted

much

better in the river than

pond, though ponds usuallybreed

a

kind

of bastard
the

by

stored
know

roach

true

these

with
their

and

beyond belief; and

some

is
a

say is

ponds

are

knowing-men,that

call them
difference,
much

as

bastard breed
I think

and

bream

biggest. But there

breeds in ponds,with

very small size ; which

rightroach ; and some

in

the

roach,that

and of
tail,

forked

very
bred

small

197

ANGLER.

as

of roach

ruds ; they differ from the

herringfrom a pilchard.And these

rivers ; but
scattered in many
in the Thames, which I believe afford the largest

not

fattest in this

are

now

London

below
nation,especially

Bridge.*

sure
caught below bridge, but above I am
I caught
of September, 1754, at Hampton,
they
very
that was
fourteen
inches and
an
one
eighth from eye to fork, and in weight
wanted
but an ounce
of two
for fishingfor roach in the
pounds. The season
much
Thames
about
the
latter
of
continues
end
and
longer
begins
August,
than it is either pleasantor safe to fish. It requires some
skill to hit the time
of taking them
exactly ; for all the summer
long they live on the weed, which
or
putrid, and that is sooner
they do not forsake for the deeps till it becomes
that much
is wet or dry ; for you are
to know,
later,according as the season
skill to hit therain hastens
the rotting of the weed:
I say it requires some
time ; for the fishermen
live in all the towns
who
along the river,from Chiswick
the fish come
to Staines, are about this time nightly on the watch, as soon
as
with a drag-net; and our
out, to sweep them
away
poor patient angler is left
baiting tlie ground, and adjusting his tackle, to catch those very fish,which
perhaps, the night before had been carried to Billingsgate. The Thames, as"
well above
below
resorted
as
to by the
London-bridge, was
formerly much
London
anglers,and which is strange to think on, consideringthe unpleasantness
of the station,they were
used to fish near
of the bridge. This
the starlings
will account
for the many
fishing-tackle
shops that were
formerly in Crookedof a person, not long since
lane, which leads to the bridge. In the memory
waterman
that plied at Essex-stairs,his name
John
Reeves, got a
living,a
comfortable
to
method
living by attending anglers with his boat ; his
was,
*

I know

not

watch

when

found

what

roaches

large,for

are

the

them,

shoals

to go

on

are

the

of roach

round

they settled opposite the

to

15th

from

down

came

his customers

Temple,

and

he had
the country, and when
Sometimes
notice.
them
give

others, at Blackfriars

at

Queenhithe, but

or

near
frequentlyabout the Chalk-liills,
London-bridge. His hire was two
thus to
A certain number
a tide.
accustomed
of persons
who
were
shillings
silver
coat and
sufficient to buy him
a waterman's
employ him, raised a sum
badge, the impress whereof was, himself with an anglerin his boat, and he had
adds
as
coat to the time
Sir J. Hawkins
H.
of his death.
annually a new

most

"

follows

"

"

that

know,

Before

dismiss

formerly the

the

fishing,I will let the reader

subject of Thames

fishermen

inhabiting the

banks

Thames,

of the

were

parts of the river with what they called stops,but which

to
in effect,weirs, or kidels,by stakes driven
were
into the bed thereof, and
into
fish
the
tied
drove
these they
wheels, creating thereby a current, which
those traps. This practice, though it may
sound
oddly to say so, is against
and
is
Magna Charta,
expressly prohibited by the twenty-thirdchapter of that
used

to inclose

statute
the

certain

in the year 1757, the Lord

in a barge well manned

Mayor

Thames

destroyed all those inclosures on

adrift."
stakes and settingthem
H.
[Roach has long disappeared from

who

and
this

Dickenson
furnished

sent

with

the water-baififf"up
proper

side of Staines, by

implements,

pulling up

the

"

all

parts of

the Thames

in the

vicinityof

198
The

roacli is

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

and
fish,

leather-mouthed

has

of

kind

like
saw-

tell you the

let me
And
teeth in his throat.
lastly,
the great
roach makes
an
anglercapitalsport,especially
roaches about London, where I think there be the best roach
I think

anglers.And

there

for the waters

Next, let

with

in winter

extremity.

an

gentles
; in April,with

paste or

snails,or
at the

takes them

of the hot
many
may also be caught thus ; take a May~flyor
with a littlelead to the bottom, near
to the

top,

roaches

months,

In

dace will.

or

worms

little white

with
cadis ; in the very hot months
with fliesunder water, for he seldom

though the

shire
Derby-

shall fish for this Eoach

tell you, you

me

clear to

are

in

anglersbe

trout

best

the

sink
ant-fly,

him

pilesor postsof

to any posts of a weir, I mean

or
near
bridge,
any deep
and then pull your flyup
placewhere roaches lie quietly,
and usuallya roach will follow your bait to
very leisurely,
a

the very
and take

top of the water, and gaze

at Windsor

this done

seen

great store of roach taken, and

in

August
I would

London.
a

few

spots,just
The

sanctioned

so

by

now

each

and

any

Kew

sometimes

ebb

Isle worth,

but

Isleworth

Lord

Mayor,

from

augment

extent.
Trout

The

the

breed

of fish.

dace

chub

or

nearer

than

at Kichmond

is

of the

Richmond

one

only

paste made

best

of the tide.

preserved from
successive

to fish for roach

one

or

him.

with

to Staines

They

preservation of the River

have

an

excellent

society,

is ex-officio
of the
conservator
called the *' Thames
servation
Angling Pre-

been

is taken

to Maidenhead
Club," and continued
of support, as is also one high up the river

by

who

to Staines, and
the Medway
Society." The object of the Society,to the
anglers should contribute, is to suppress
poaching

Thames
all

flow

at the

river is

at

at it

run

and
Henley-bridge,

and

fish for them

may

not advise

taken

be

may

you

there,and

from

it,lest the flyshould flyaway

I have
and

it

on

and

hitherto

up
weir.

near

increase

funds

of whose

illegalnetting,and
successful

to

great

at Staines

by the

"

This

is also

deserving

Club

Goring.
"

Ed.J

Thames

bread,which should be of pure fine manchet ;

paste must be so tempered betwixt your hands,till

of the crumbs
that

and

it be both
and

199

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of

soft and

labour,and

tough too

clean

hands,

very littlewater, and time

will make
it a most
excellent
a

paste : but when you fish with it,you must have a small
Look, a quickeye, and a nimble hand, or the bait is lost,and
the fish too ; if one may lose that which he never
had.
this paste you may, as I said,take both the Roach
and

Dare,

or

for

they be

much

of

kind

in matter

of

With
Dace

feeding,

and usually
in size. And
take
therefore,
cunning,goodness,
direction for some
other baits which may concern
this general
but
They will bite almost at any fly,
you to take notice of
at ant-flies ; concerning
which, take this direction,
especially
for it is very good :
Take the blackish
in which

placeyou

shall find them

if that be too
them

in

earlyin the
July,August, and

alive with both

that will hold

their
a

of the

out
ant-fly

in the month

or

of

ant-hill,
June,

or

year, then doubtless you may find

most
of September; gatherthem

put them into a glass

pottle; but first put into the glass

wings,and

quart or

mole-hill

then

you gather
said
the
of
the
of
of
the
hillock,
roots
as
them,
grass
and then put in the fliesgently,
that they lose not their wings :
lay a clod of earth over it,and then so many as are put into

handful

and

or

more

of the moist

earth out of which

much

or
will live there a month
more,
glasswithout bruising,
and be always in a readiness for you to fish with ; but if you
would have them keep longer,
then get any greatearthen pot,
which is better,then wash
barrel of three or four gallons,
or
and honey,and having put into it a
your barrel with water
and
quantityof earth and grass roots,then put in your flies,

the

200

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

year : these in any

deadlybait for roach or dace,or

it,and they will live a quarter of

cover

for

clear water, are

; and your rule

and

stream

chub

is,to fish not less than

handful

the bottom.

from

tell you

I shall next
it is

chub, and

Abovit

choicelygood.
when

till frost comes,

bait for

winter

see

you

roach,a dace,or

All-hallowtide

and

heath

ploughing up

men

then follow
ground,or sandy-groundor greenswards,
as
big as
plough,and you shall find a white worm
red head

maggots, and

it hath

ground most

are, for there

the

you

crows

the
two

may observe in what

will be very watchful
full of

close ; it is all soft,and

that is,in Norfolk and some

follow the

and

so

ploughvery

other
guts ; a worm,
counties,called a grub ; and is bred of the spawn or eggs of
which she leaves in holes that she digsin the ground
a beetle,
under cow
or
horse-dung,and there rests all winter,and in
whitish

March

Gather

beetle.
with
and

April comes

or

of their

two

keep them

and

cover

thousand

peck or

be

to

first a
or

own

so

red, and

then

black

these,and put them

tub or firkin,
earth,into some
of

two

that the frost

warm

or

cold air

these you may

keep all winter,and
of them
kill fish with them at any time ; and if you put some
into a littleearth and honey,a day before you use them, you

or

winds

kill them

will find them

almost

any

And

an

not

excellent bait for

bream,carp, or

indeed for

fish.

after

this

; which

manner

you

may

also

keep gentlesall

good bait then,and much the better for

being livelyand tough. Or you may breed and keep gentles
and with a cross stick,
thus : take a pieceof beast's liver,
hang
barrel
half
it in some
full
of
over
a pot or
corner,
dry clay:
and as the gentles
will
fallinto
barrel
the
and
grow big,they
scour
themselves,and be alwaysready for use whensoever
you incline to fish ; and these gentlesmay be thus created
But if you desire to keep gentles
till after Michaelmas.
to
winter

are

all the year, then get a dead cat or a kite,and let it

the gentles
be fly-blown
begin to be alive and to
; and when

fish with

stir,then bury
from
when

about

it and

them

in soft moist

earth,but as free
and
these
as
;
you can
you may dig up at any time
them
to use
these
intend
will last tillMarch, and
:
you
that time turn to be flies.

frost

if you

will be

nice to

foul your fingers,

which
good
this
then
take
bait
seldom
wellof
: get a handful
anglers
are,
dish
of
made
and
into
water
and
wash
a
maltj
put
; and then
But

rub it betwixt

till you

hands

your

201

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

make

it

and
clean,

free

as

put that water from it,and put

of fresh water to it,and set it in something
a small quantity
it is not to
the fire,
where
that is fit for that purpose, over
liusks

from

as

boil apace, but

which
soft,

until it become somewhat

softly,
it betwixt your finger
try by feeling

and
leisurely

and
the

soft,then put your water from it,

sharp knife,and turningthe sprout end of
the

upward,with

corn

very

you may
when it is

; and
then take a

thumb

and

; then

can

you

point of

knife take the back

your

part of the husk off from it,and yet leavinga

husk

so

and

then

you

cut

off that

cuttingoff

may enter
will find this to

be

And

if your

hook

end, that

other
be

small and

so

good,

choice bait either for winter

very

sometimes

you
your float swims.
to take the roach

where

little of the

very

; and

hook

summer,

or

of inward

littleof it,that the white may appear,

pulloff the husk on the cloven side,as I directed you,

and

your

then

; and

else it is marred

the corn, or
sproutedend, I mean
on

kind

a
casting

littleof it into the

place

dace, a good bait is the young

and

bees,if you dip their heads in blood ;

especially
good for bream, if they be baked or hardened in
their husks in an oven, after the bread is taken out of it,or
brood

of wasps

or

fire shovel ; and so also is the thick blood of

sheep,being half dried on a trencher,that so you may cut it
into such piecesas may best fit the size of your hook, and a

hardened

on

littlesalt

keeps it

but better

worse

from

growing black,and

this is taken

to be

makes

it not

the

choice bait if rightly

ordered.
There
told

of,and

to

say

much

could

bottle from
both

were

strong smell that I have been

I
be excellent to tempt fish to bite,of which

be several oils of
; but

Sir

used

of

not

have

Sir

the

carried

knack,
stone, yet
lies locked

my

not

the

answer

help of

of
expectation

other circumstances,
talk
things as many men
smell and

fishes both

up

attainable

in the brain

or

will
that,like the Eosicrucians,

Sir

this and

former

it is not

small

Henry Wotton, they

hear,as I have

discourse ; but there is

which,though it be much easier than the

in
expressed

littlebelief in such

but that I think

once

great present; it was sent and

great confidence ; and yet upon

as

with

it did

Henry, which, with

me

George Hastingsto

inquiry,I found
makes

I remember

chymical men,

received,and

by

common

breast
not

of

mysterious

philosopher's

else
or
capacities,
some
chymicalman,

yet reveal it. But let

me

202
nevertheless
/

worm-bag

tell you, that

with

..^---vnotvery much

fortunate.
oils and

said,both
fish,
yet
*

AH

other

steppedby chance
smelling; and though

end

of baits for roach

I will forbear it at this

baits

approaches,
near
weeds, and
of

order

May,

not

good.

under

they

three

weeks

the

bottoms

of

boughs.

be

more

other float

tell you

in the

worm

or

any

their haunts, especiallyas

at other
times they lie in

They

spa"^^^l about
but they are

unwholesome,

largest are

the latter

again

in

after Michaelmas, and their

baits for roach, not already mentioned,

taken

is in February or March.
The
and
for the
oak-worms

season

and dace and

still waters

scabby and
:

might

time,tand

sandy

the shade
are

there

Ed.

"

clear,deep, and

are

when

in about

prime

and

into this discourse of

justlyrepudiated. Perfuming

now

are

delight in gravellyor

winter
and

of it and

scented

into your
be
anglers

moss

makes

worms,

your

bait will do harm

t Roach

camphor,*put with

them, if many
mistaken,a tempting bait,and the anglermore

But

fishes

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

cad-bait

and
spring ; in May, ant's-eggs,
of the crumbs
of a new
roll,both white and tinged with red, which
paste made
is done
into the water
wherewith
it ; this
by putting vermilion
you moisten
paste will do for the winter also. The largestroach in this kingdom are taken
in the Thames,
where
have
been
caught of two pounds and a half
many
at without
The
weight ; but roach of any size are hardly to be come
a boat.
are

haunts

of dace

shaded

; water

weather
artificial
Dace
weeks

gravelly,sandy, and

are

lily leaves, and

under

clayey bottoms

the

foam

they are to be found on the shallows, and

fly,grasshoppers,or gentles,as hereafter

spawn
after ;

February.

about

they

Baits

the latter end

not

very good
for dace, other than
are

caused
are

deep

by

then

holes

an

eddy

are

in

hot

best taken

with

an

directed.

of March, and are

in season
till about
Michaelmas, and
those

that
:

mentioned

by Walton,

about
are
are

three
best

in

the oak-

and
indeed
red-worm, brandling, gilt-tail,
bred
trees
on
or
any worm
bushes, that is not too big for his mouth : almost all kinds of flies and caterpillars.
Though dace are often caught with a float as roach, yet they are not
so
properly float-fish ; for they are to be taken with an artificial gnat, or antfly,or indeed, almost any other small flyin its season
in the Thames,
; but
above
Richmond, the largest are caught with a natural green or dun grasshopper,
and sometimes
with gentles; with both which
you are to fish,as with
artificial fly; they are not to be come
an
at till about
the
September, when
weeds
begin to rot ; but when you have found where they lie,which in a warm
make
day is generallyon the shallows, 'tis incredible what havoc you may
:
pinch off the first joint of the grasshopper'slegs,put the point of the hook in at
the head, and
bring it out at the tail ; and in this way of fishingyou will
catch chub, especially if you throw
under
the boughs. It is true, there is less
certaintyof catching in this way than with a float or ground-bait : for which
I would
recommend
it only to those who
of that
live near
the banks
reason,
Windsor
and Isleworth, who
command
have or can
delightfulriver,between
a
boat for that purpose, and
take advantage of a still,
can
warm,
gloomy day ;
worm,

and

to

method

such

it will

of

fishingin

aff'ord much
the

more

diversion

than

the

ordinary inartificial

In fishing at bottom
deeps for roach and dace.
ground-bait,bread soaked about an hour in water,

for

and
dace, use for
an
them
equal quantity of bran ; knead them to a tough consistence,and make
small
a
pebble in the middle; and throw
these balls in
up into balls,with
where
them
the
otherwise
for
stream,
they
you throw
you fish ; but be sure
up
will draw
the fish beyond the reach of your
line.
Fish for roach
within six,
and for dace, within three inches of the bottom.
H.
in the above note, written
contained
[The remarks
upwards of sixty years,
roach

and

"

placehow

next

will prove

old fish-book which

an

tackling
; concerning

you are to prepare your

I will,
for sport's
sake,give you

which
what

you

to

are

203

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

an

old

rhyme

part, and

but

of

out

part,of

provide.

My rod and my line,my float and my lead,

My hook and my plummet, my whetstone and knife,
My basket,my baits both livingand dead,
My net, and my meat (forthat is the chief):
Then I must have thread, and hairs green and small,
With mine angling-purse and so you have all.
"

But

have all these tackling,

and twice so
you must
to be a fisher,
with which, if you mean
you must

more,

many
store

yourself;and to that purpose, I will go with you either to

Mr.
Margrave, who dwells amongst the booksellers in St.
Paul's Churchyard,
to Mr. John
or
Stubs,near to the Swan
in Golden-lane ; they be both honest men, and will fit an
anglerwith what tacklinghe lacks.
for he is
Yen. Then, good master, let it be at
there the
nearest to my dwelling
meet
; and I pray let us
ninth of May next, about two
of the clock, and I'll want
nothingthat a fisher should be furnished with.
Pisc.
and

Well, and

I'llnot fail you

at the
(God willing)

placeappointed.
I thank
you, good master, and

Ven.

and,good master, tell me

it will not

be

now

what

longere

we

baits

time

I will not fail you:

you remember, for

more

shall be at Tottenham

High-

we
come
thither,I will make you some
cross, and when
of
choice a copy of verses
as
requital your pains,
by repeating
met
as
together; and that is
any we have heard since we

proud word, for we have heard very good ones.

Pisc. Well, scholar,
and I shall be then rightgladto
them

; and

will,as

we

walk, tell you whatsoever

comes

hear
in

my mind, that I think may be worth your hearing. You may

make
another choice bait thus : take a handful or two of the
best and biggestwheat you can
get,boil it in a littlemilk,
like

frumityis boiled ; boil it so

with honey, and
leisurely

as

it very

tillit be
a

little beaten

in milk j and you will find this

show

that
has

roach
taken

fish,and
them

and

dace

place since

fishingwas
in the

in the gear necessary

would
be too long for a

chapter. Ed.]
"

well

methods

these

capture.

I shall

give it

solved
saffron dis-

bait,and good.

then.

taking

for their successful

note, therefore

choice

understood
of

soft,and then fry

Much

ment
improve-

interestinglittle
An explanation of
at the

end

of this

204
I

think,for

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

for roach,dace,chub, or grayfish,

especially
ling

any

be

but that it may

if the ground be a
especially
I know

and

And

not

Barker, who

to have

seems

fish is

most

angling before Walton,

very brieflybut well about
that the ova
of the salmon
tribe were
the first to discover

for several

fish.

fresh-water

and

salmon

when

of
spawn'^'

wrote

been

capital baits
because

river carp,
with it.

little baited

that the

also note

may

you

good for

as

salmonidse

Indeed, they

in the

are

are

natural

bait,

of

act

spawning, or depositing
watched, not only by varieties

for the purpose

of procreation, they are
devour
and
the ova
that
species,but by other fish,which
genus
from the spawning beds by the current, and
washed
frequentlydart
away

their

ova

of their
are

own

into the beds

of the

themselves

spawning

in its
spawn
this it is now

the spawn.
It requiresthe united efforts
off". Barker
advises
angling with the roe or

to feed upon

fish to beat

them

state, which

is very inconvenient
and defective.
To remedy
and
the
for
is
underneath.
so
recipe
preserved,
doing
given
Barker, writing to Lord Montague, his patron, says :
"
Noble
found
I have
an
Lord,
experience of late,which you may
angle
with, and take great store of this kind of fish. First, It is the best bait for a
raw

"

"

that

trout

if

they

I have

in all my

seen

be there.

bottlin,or grayling. The

or

large
with

that

trout

the

bait

time

Secondly, It is
the

bait
be

spawns

will take

and

is the

of

roe

great store, and not fail,

or
dare, good for chub

for dace

specialbait

salmon

trout

or

if it be

anything great,you may angle for the trout

the brandling,taking a pair of scissors,and

angle with
large hazel nut, and bait your hook, so fall to your sport ;
there is no
it but twenty years
doubt
of pleasure. If I had
known
ago, I
would
have
bound
in
gained a hundred
pounds only with that bait. I am
I
duty to divulge it to your honour, and not to carry it to my grave with me.
do desire that men
of qualityshould have it that delightin that pleasure. The
not.
at me, but for that I care
greedy angler will murmur
For
the angling for the scale-fish,they must
angle either with cork or
quill,plumming their ground, and with feeding with the same
bait, taking
them
asunder, that they may spread abroad, that the fish may feed and come
to your
place : there is no doubt of pleasure, angling with fine tackle ; as
hair
lines,at least five or six lengths long, a small hook, with two or
single
three spawns.
week
The bait will hold one
keep it on any longer,you
; if you
must
to
hang it up to dry a little : when
you go
your pleasureagain, put the
bait in a little water, it will come
in kind again."
cut

much

so

as

as

you

"

Eecipe
salmon

Salmon-roe.

Preserving

roR

It should

"

be taken

from

the female

days before she spawns, and the process of preservation should

is taken from the fish,it must
As soon
as the roe
commence
be
immediately.
poured upon it. After a few
put in a capacious earthen pan, and cold water
minutes'
Wash
immersion, pour off the cold water, and pour in tepid water.
the ova, and separate them
if you
delicatelywith your fingers,
breaking none
from them
all skin.
Pour off the water, and
can
add
help it. Remove
some
to do so until the roe
clean
Continue
and warm.
becomes
more
quite clean,
and

few

freed

from

milk-warm.

The

off,place the
cleansed

roe

that

each

ovum

in

sieve

or

shallow

The

all film.
last

roe

in

put

two

washing

be salted.
cullender

when

hot

"

for

few

hours.

quite cold

of
be

at

wooden
no

Place

it,or

moderate

little

than

more

being drained
pound of completely
with
the fingers,
so
by placing the roe

Press

rather

distance

ladle,so

adhesion

pot it.

cold water, which

dry. To every
of ordinary salt, mixing well
off the brine afterwards
Drain

dish, set half horizontally

cool, and

be too

not

be with

must

hair sieve until it be

ounces

keep stirringwith the handle

dry separately,and that there
to

must

water

between

that

each

any.
it gently but

spread it,on a
the fire,and

from

pea

When

of

roe

dry

may
set

closelydown

it
in

205

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

on
very tempting bait,being a littlehardened
and cut into fit pieces. Nay, mulberries,and

which

grow

tile,

warm

those

berries
black-

briars,be good baits for chubs

upon

or

these many
have been taken in ponds,and in
the water, and
rivers where such trees have grown near
some
the fruits customarily
dropped in it. And there be a hundred
with

carps

other

baits,more

than

baitingthe water,

named, which,by constant

be well

can

will become

tempting bait

for any

fish

in it.
You

also to

are

that

case-worms,

or

distinct

and

or

is

case

as
a

that there be

divers kinds of

in this

to be found

are

namely, one
pieceof reed

cadis called
about

an

cadis,

nation,in several

in several little brooks

counties,and

biggerrivers
husk

know,

that relate to

piper,whose
long,or longer,

inch

bigabout as the compass of a two-pence. These worms

being kept three or four days in a woollen bag,with sand
the bottom
of it,and the bag wet once
a day,will in three
as

four days turn

the chub
a

yellow; and
chavender,or indeed

or

be

to

these

be

for any

choice

at
or

bait for

great fish,for it is

largebait.
There

is also

lesser cadis-worm,

in fashion like the spur

case
or
house,in which

called

cock-spur,
being

cock, sharp at one end ; and the

this dwells,is made
of small husks
of these,even
and graveland slime,most
made
so
curiously
as

to be wondered

than

at, but

nest
king-fisher's

bones,and
as

kind

of

such

have

the

like is not

the

not

to be made

can, which

is made

by

man

no

more

of little fishes'

geometricalinterweavingand
to be done by the art of man

tion,
connec:

this

bait for any float-fish; it is much

and to be so ordered ; and these
piper-cadis,

of cadis is

less than

choice

or
preserved,
ten, fifteen,
twenty days,or it may
be longer.
There is also another cadis,called by some
straw- worm,
a
and by some
whose house or case is made of little
a rufi*-coat,

be

may

so

piecesof bents,and rushes,and

which
tie a piece of linen or bladder, on to which
you have
pots, over
threaded
fine
needle,
of
lard.
To
bait
take
a
with
layer
salmon-roe,
and
silk through as
fine red silk,knotted
at the end.
Pass the needle
Insert
will cover
as
roe
your hook from the point to beyond the shank.

earthen
melted
with
many
the

straws, and water- weeds, and

then
end
of the silk, on
the point of your hook, and
of the hook a little
side by side in the bend
and up the shank
beyond the arming. There fasten your silk,and cut away the end of it. Two
will be sufficient for small fish ; from six to a dozen for the middle
or three roe

wind

and

roe

at

the

knotted

the others

ones.
large-sized

"

Ed.

206
T knoYf

not

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

what, which

are

knit

so

with
together

slime,that they stick about her husk

unlike the

case, not

or

condensed

hedgehog ; these three cadises are commonly

and are
taken in the beginningof summer,
good indeed to
I might tell
with float or otherwise.
take any kind of fish,
those have
these do early,
which
so
as
more,
you of many
their time also of turningto be flieslater in summer
; but I
might lose myselfand tire you by such a discourse : I shall
bristles of

therefore
several
and

but

these and
you, that to know
flies every particular
cadis
to what

remember

kinds,and

then how

to

is
flies,

they be

to be

them,

use

first as

art,and

an

an

they be

their

turns,
cadis,and after as

that every one

that professes
leisure to search after,
and, if
art

anglerhas not
capableof learning.

an

he had. is not

several countries have several kinds

I will tell you, scholar,
of cadises,
that indeed difler as much
as
dogs do ; that is to
much

as

say,

as

biggerrivers

way:
Take

and

a more
tl/link,

I know

or what
life,

coloured

the death of many

These

greyhounddo.

littlerills,
or

very

and

cur

other.

any

cadis receives

they are

very

in the

usuallybred
rivers than

ditches,that

run

be
into

proper bait for those very

not
of what, this
how
or

flyit turns

trouts

to ; but doubtless
this is one
killing

; and

be, of these largeyellowcadis :

pullofl"his head, and with it pullout his black gut ; put the
one,

more

or

if need

little bruised

body, as

as

is

on
possible,

very

little hook,

hair,which will show like the cadis head :

and a very littlethin lead,so put upon the shank of the hook
this bait,thus ordered,
that it may sink presently. Throw
into any great stillhole where a
which will look very yellow,
armed

with

on

red

he will

trout

is,and

to be

doubted, if

touch
the

the

water

you

venture
presently

be not

before

espied;

the line.

And

his life for

it,it is not

and

that the bait first

this will do best in

deepestwater.

tell you, I have been much

by a brook with a littlestick in my
quietly
take these,and consider the
I might easily
Next

let

me

pleasedto walk
hand,with which
of their
curiosity

like to do so, then note,

composure : and if you shall ever
have
or
that your stick must be^a littlehazel or willow,cleft,
end of it ; by which means
with ease
you may
of them in that nick out of the water, before you
take many
have any occasion to use them.
These,my honest scholar,
observations told to you as theynow
come
are
some
suddenly
a

nick at

one

207

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of wliicli you may make

into my memory,
the practical
part,it is that that makes an
and
and observation,and practice,
heard

once

than

do, nor

ambition

an

to be

must

I do ; I envy
nobody but him, and him
such a man
And
fish than I do."
catches more
I wish
prove an angler;and this noble emulation

only,that

is like to

and

to you

anglers.

[Roach

Fishing.

Dace

and

The

"

useful information

contains much

on

of the

text

precedingchapter

anglingfor roach and

dace, and

on

I shall not have

and other baits.

of gentles
procuringand preserving
better elementaryexercises
Tliere
it.
to
add
to
deal
are
no
great

the
a

for

it is diligence,

angler:

than

all young

; but

use

do it.'^ I will tell you, scholar,

-,
that
not
him
eats
"I
better
\
meat
one
say,
envy
better clothes
him that is richer,
or that wears

the best in the art,that

I

some

The

the few

little

said

has

has

author

of

of taking them, but

here to lay
be amiss

not

float-fishing
; it may
the rod be lightand

of fish,excepting

kinds

the different methods

follow, with

nothing

or

describingthe several

done

now

that

little ones

for

and withal so smart

stiff,
fourteen
whalebone
to
of
the
tip
; from
spring,
with
meet
sometimes
barbel,
fifteen feet is a good length. In places where
you
of six or
in Middlesex,
the fittest line is one
Hampton,
as at Shepperton and
so
hairs at top ; and
diminishing ibr two yards,let the rest be strong
seven
be whipped
about half a yard of the hook, which
Indian
may
grass, to within
this line will kill a fish of six pounds
cut ; and
to a fine grass or silk-worm
down

rules about

some

the

in

for

But

weight.

strike

to

as

Let

it.

yourself to a singlefishing,accustom
fish a pound and a half weight. For
goose-quillis proper ; but for deep or
cork, shaped like a pear, is indisputably the

and

roach

mere

the

at

dace

kill
artist may
hair line,with which
an
your float,in slow streams, a neat round
in

rapid rivers, or

eddy, the

an

the size of
not, in general, exceed
half an
than
put through it,be more

should

best ; which
quill,which

nutmeg

the

let not

below

and

above

inch
you
and this float,
prefer a swan's quill,has great advantage
though some
from
the water
by the cork,
a bare
quill; for the quill being defended
lead
line
to
so
enables
not soften, and the cork
heavily,as that
your
you

cork;

the
over

does

hook

the
lead

sinks

almost

swim.

In

small

touch

soon

as

lightly,it does

but

barley-corn,but

sink
there

put it into the

you

the

to

get
lines,be careful

leading your
will

as

not

them
is

some

nothing

use

better

bottom

water

till it is

near

them

to balance

WJiip the end

keep the water

nicely,that

so

very
like a

shaped

purpose
than shot,which
you must
fish fine, it is
that when
you

with

ready cleft always with

have

better to have

you
of your

the end
lead

for this
to lead

whereas, when

remembering
you;
than
line a great number
of small
your
of the quill round
the plug with fine silk, well

on

large shot.

few

waxed

this will

fishing with a
of your float, and
it greatly.
preserve
if it is longer,
for
rod
be about a foot shorter than
;
float, your line must
your
to
disengage
come
your
well command
hook
so
cannot
when
you
your
you
In

out

fish." H.

[I give the

angler may
them,

as

than

better

the

excellence

can

note
few

because

they

it contains

can

at

be

the

made

instructions by which

some

Residents

articles.

necessary

they will find them

and

of every

above

make

in towns

need

fishing-tacklesliops ready made,

by

amateur

hands.

Nothing

can

not

the

make

cheaper
exceed

of the floats sold at the shops, and cork floats are sold cheaply
lines are almost obsolete,for gut
Hair bottom
size,shape and colour.

be found

finer and

stronger than

hair.

"

Ed.]

208

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

for roach
than those that can be gone through in fishing
young anglers,
and dace.
He that succeeds in bottom -fishing
well for roach,and in flyfishing
for dace, will soon, if he have ambition, be able to cope with the

largestof

the carp tribe,

from
with the salmon, and his numerous
family,
the sea-trout to the grayling. I cannot
conceive why Walton
should
have

written,

"

foolishness."
plicity^and
the

^cutest"'member

"

and

unless

finest

you

race.

Under

him

with

the most

will have

sheep for

he is

water

his sim-

to the carp, is

shy,
tormentingly

delicate baits,and the very

of alluring
him.
Roach
fishing

chance

no

the water-

opinion,the roach, next

In my

of the

tempt

tackle,you

is accounted

the roach

that

and a very long,very

requiresthe smallest hooks, the thinnest foot-line,
a
nd
rod.
float
elastic
Your
of
moderately
light,
prepared quUl should
yieldto a next to imperceptiblenibble. See what the late Mr. Blaine
The best season
for roach fishing
says of this bashful and prettyfish.
is from autumn
In
until the following
spring.
May theyusually
spawn;
it is both
earlier and later : after they have spawned, they
occasionally
"

"

continue out of
end

for several weeks, hardlyrecovering

until the latter
is not to be wondered
at when
consider the debilitating
we

season

of July,which

effect of such

quantityof

the

grainsof which, in

single
thousand,
fifty-four
which must consequently
requirea very copioussupplyof milt from the
male to fecundate.
Roach angling offers much
interest to the piscatory
w^ho are shut out from the higherpursuitsof fly-fishing.
The
zealots,
fish,have

been reckoned,and

roach is an

found to amount

were

elegantfish when

ova,

taken, and

to

have

we

shown

that it

requires

skill to deceive it,while its game qualities

such that it contests
are
the matter
with the anglerto the last,so as to yieldno small triumph
some

when

landed.

We

have

seen

roach

of

in the

pound weightin a strong

the face of an anglerof fair
a

Thames, raise the blood to

consider the
They also,when in condition,bite freely
; but we
hold they have, or ought to have on the angler,is,their great
principal
the
that may be employed to take them, to
methods
numerous
plenty,
which may be added, the time of the year that sport may be obtained
with them, which is,when
few other fish yieldany.
From
the bottom
of the water, every inch of the way up to the surface,
they may be fished
current

fame.

for in various manners;

and when theyare sunningthemselves
theywill take a flywith the best. No fish whatever exerts the
of the

at the

top,
capabilities

in
anglerso much as this even the grayling(whose versatihty
yielding
sportis greatalso)must nevertheless giveplaceto the roach, a
precedencewhich, we think, will alwaysrank it as a distinguished
ber
memin the piscatory
list; and this opinion,
from one
f
ond
of
devotedly
:

fly-fishing,
may

considered

be

as

somethingin

favour

of its tribe and

and
qualities."The best baits for roach are, clean simpleor sweet pastes,
small
in
the springmonths, small well-scoured brandlings
good
gentles;and
and

littlered

In

worms.

and

summer

autumn

theywill

take artificial

little red,brown, and black hackles,small duns, the black gnat,

flies,
and

red and

theybe
kid

sunk

artificialant-flies.

brown
four

or

six inches under

wound
from
leather,
barb of the hook, will be

They

water.

will take these fliesbest,if

A

thin

stripof lightyellow

the tail of the artificialfiy,

nearlyas far
an

improvement. Foot-lines for

roach

as

are

the
fre-

THE

quentlymade of singlehorse-hair
they are the best,but as gut can be
I think
stronger,
rod

it

there should

from

of

hght

had

the

colour.

more

Perhaps

horse-hair and

much

float and

the top of the

it should descend

yard of line,and
with
pointperpendicularly.Prompt striking,

the rod's

than

brown

finer than

preferable. Between

not be

209

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

an

oblique

twist, of the wrist is necessary.

The

dace is a merry littlefellow,

reckless and gamesome,
and therefore
I like him much.
He bites at the bottom more
than the roach,
freely
and

takes

artificialflyon the surface far more

eagerly. He is the very

Cotton into the art and mysteries
of that
youthful
quent
by far the most pleasantof piscatory
practices fly-fishing.They freand
shallows,rapids,
eddies,and in them they w411 take well the
an

best fish to initiatethe

"

artificialfliesrecommended
months

autumn

be

angledfor

for roach.

In

the late

summer

sheltered waters,and
theypreferdeep,still,

and

early

then

must

with paste and

gentles. In springand earlysummer

they
take small worms
with avidity.There are
plentyof them in the Lea,
and the Colne is famous for them
of largesize. In the latter river the}^
take the artificialflyas eagerlyas trout or grayling. In the shallows at
Isleworth,Twickenham, Kichmond, Teddington,Thames
Ditton, Hampton,
Sunbury, Walton, HalUford, Weybridge, Shepperton,Laleham,
Penton
Hook, Staines,and indeed, in all the streams up to
Chertsey,
and
Henley
beyond it. With an excellent extract from Blaine,and one
from Captain Williamson, I shall conclude the subjectof dace fishing.
Blaine trulysays, "Dace bottom-fishing
is not very different from that for
taken when tryingfor the other,particuroach,and the one is frequently
larly
in the autumn,

of rivers.

Thus

sport,

as

the

dead

in

both retire for

it is that roach and

it were,

winter

but

months,

bite then

tempted to

when

as

the autumn

does not
retreat

roach.

to

Dace

while

into the

deep currents

dace

is at that time a common

fishing
for
dace,during
long so ;
still deeps,and are not so easily

continue

also often taken, with barbel,

that they are then beginningto

are

shows
months,
feed low, and are very seldom
wards.
tempted by the flyat the surface afterThe tackle for dace bottom-angling
should be similar to that for

roach,and
we

refer

\vhich

the baits also should be the

our

To roach

same.

therefore,
fishing,

reader

served,
for the necessary information ; but it may be obdace are purposelyfished for,without reference to the

that when

takingof

roach,a largerhook and largerbait may be used; and if the

for instance,
be strong,
etc. etc.,employ a gut-line
as
a
mill-race,

water
and

cork float.

red in
as

of most kinds (butthe

During the springseason, worms
larva) of beetles,
caddies,
or
particular),
grubsand bobs of all sorts,

well

as

small

are
caterpillars,

the natural
period,
snails also.
greaves

and

food of dace.

In the hot

summer

proper baits ; for they all form, at this

In this way they will take small water-

take
months, gentles

pastes,particularly
salmon-roe,

are

the lead; in

autumn,
roach,
killing.
than at mid-w^ater; a
Like

taken
at the bottom
frequently
in generalcases, but during
t
he
best
for them
is,
therefore,
tripping-bait
months
it
the summer
is not alwaysnecessary to fish so deep. On the

they

are

more

contrary,caddies,bobs, and
in currents
readily

at nine

or

are

worms,

often

ten inches from

O

the

taken

by

ground,or

them
even

more
a

little

210

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

great depths. In shallows of two or three feet

in such as lie in the angle of two sharp streams,
deep only,particularly

below

mid-water

where

or

at

swift brook

wheels, where

there

four inches of the

for the

and

worms

eddy whirls

them

enters

is

river,or between

the

ground.

In these

spotsdace

are

of mill-

courses

race-

sort of still back-water, set the

bait to within

usuallyfound waiting

insects that may be brought down, and which, as the

selves
into the still,
by its circular impetus,present them-

to the fish in the most

To imitate this,use
a
temptingform.
lightline with a very fine cork, or largequillfloat,drop it within the
edge of the current, so as to gain from it the circular motion for the
bait you offer,which may
be worm,
gentle,or caddis,etc.
By this

method
line ;
dozen

dace after dace may be taken, as fast nearlyas you drop in the
in such situations,
and we have ourselves,
basketed two or three
at
as

be

In

most

other

them.

Dace

guardedly
played,or theymay
not

advice,viz. : "In
of brown

malt."

tionary
sta-

so

fishinggromid often
be struck

must

not

to

quickly;they

should the tackle be very fine,

they must
it."
for dace
endanger
Ground-baiting

absolutely
necessary, but
in now
throw
dace-fishing

follow
and

Captain Williamson's
then

balls made

some

oatmeal and treacle,or some

(by roasting)
coarselyground
roach is called CyprinusRutilus^from the red colour of its

The

fins ; the dace

belly.
fly-fisher
; the

Cyprinus Alhurnus,

I recommend

fisher."

from

the latter to the

former

to the

bright hue of
patientpursuitof
the

of the

steadyperseverance

its scales and

the

young

incij^ient
bottom-

Ed.]

CHAPTER
OP

to shift the

sharp,and

bite

and
at first,
plungeviolently

over-nightis

however, they are

cases,

roach, and it is necessary

with

meet

also

time.

THE

MINNOW

OR

PENK,
OR

OF

XVIII.
THE

miller's

LOACH,

AND

OF

THE

BULL-HEAD

THUMB.

l"\ix\)
"ay.]
Pisc. There
had

be

also three

that
forgot,

almost

are

or

four other

all without

be

little fish that

and
scales,

may

for

fish of

compared to any
excellencyof meat
greatestvalue
be
full
of
size.
and largest
They
usually
eggs or S23awn all
for
breed
of summer
the months
often,as it is observed
they
;
mice, and

many

of the smaller

four-footed

creatures

of the

earth do ; and as those,so these,come

quicklyto their full
growth and perfection.And it is needful tliat they breed

numerously,for theybe,besides

both often and

of

ruin,both

shall tell you

prey and baits for other

Penk.
of the Minnow
or

other accidents

fish.

And

I
first,

211

ANGLER.

COMPI.ETE

THE

hath,when he is in perfectseason, and not

sick,whicli is only presentlyafter spawning,a kind of
clining
dappledor waved colour,like to a panther,on his sides,inhis bellybeing milk
to a greenishand
sky-colour,
He is a sharp
blackish.
white,and his back almost black or
The

minnow

biter at

makes

hot weather

and in

small worm,

excellent

that love that

or
boys,or women
sport for young anglers,
of them
excellent
and in the springthey make
recreation,
and their
well in salt,
minnow-tansies
; for being washed
heads and tails cut off,and their guts taken out, and not
washed after,
theyprove excellent for that use ; that is,being
fried with
and

and of primroses,
eggs, the flowers of cowslips,
littletansy ; thus used they make
a dainty dish

yolksof
a

of meat.
The

is,as I told

Loach

and feeds in

little and

there upon the

not to be above
to that

he has
his

beard

four
sides,

with
under

many
his

with

clear swift brooks

or

loach is not unlike the

wattles like

or

at his

black

and
belly,

or

barbel.
one

He

and
rills,

lives

he grows
is suitable

shapeof
has two

at his tail ; he is

spots,his mouth

brown

he breeds

daintyfish ;

most

and in the sharpest

streams
gravel,
a finger
long,and no thicker than

length.This
a

you,

the eel ;
fins at

dappled

is barbel-like

usuallyfull of eggs or spawn ;

commended
and is by Gesner, and other learned physicians,
for great nourishment, and to be very gratefulboth to the
palateand stomach of sick persons : he is to be fished for
This fish is

nose.

very small

worm

MINNOW,

at the

liOACH,

AND

o2

bottom, for he very seldom

MIL-EB

THUMB.

or

212
rises above

never

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

which

tlie gravel,
on

I told you

he

usually

gets his

living.
is a
Miller's-Thumb, or Bull-head,

The

fish of

pleasing

no

shape.
is

He

Gesner

by

and

similitude

compared
It has

shape.

for his
sea-toad-fish,

the

to

head

big

greaterthan suitable to his body ; a mouth

usuallygaping; he is without teeth,but

rough,much

like to

file. He

be roundish

hath

and

flat,much
wide, and

very
his lipsare
fins

two

very

his

to

near

crested ; two fins also imder the

belly; two on the back ; one below the vent ; and the fin of
hath paintedthe body of this fish
Nature
his tail is round.
which
gills,

or

whitish,blackish,and brownish

with

spots.*They be usually

I
full of eggs or spawn all the summer,
almost
and those eggs swell their vents
spawn about
in the summer.
several months

They beginto

dug.

the

mean

into

the

females ;
form
of a

I told you,
in the winter,

April,and, as
And

spawn
the minnow, and

loach,and bull-head,dwell in the mud, as

than we know
not where, no
the eel doth ; or we know
more
and swallow, and other half-yearbirds,
where the cuckoo
which first appear to us in April,
spendtheir six cold,winter,
This fish does usually
dwell,and hide
melancholy months.
himself,in holes,or amongst stones in clear water ; and in
and sun
himself,
very hot days will lie a long time very still,
will be

and

gravel;

ax

easy to be seen
any flat stone, or any
upon
which time he will suffer an anglerto put a hook,

baited with

refuses to

never

bite,nor

and

taste

wrote, there

v/ith which

first
with

are

many
hither from
of

black

an

and

China

those

scarlet fins,with which

These fish are
of the body.

they
keep

water, to which

practice
fine gravel strewed

to

them

and

common

been

much

; and

for his

shapeor beauty.

brought

beautiful

colour

they

into

from

England,

creatures, gold and

are

them

delightfulornament.
in a largeglassvessel

like

crusians,"
also

silver fish

been
:

the

finelyvariegated
of silver
small

it is

And

Germany,
"

in several

curiouslymarked

usually kept in ponds, basins, and

are

he

the worst

more

colour, with very shining scales,and

orange
silver fish are
dark brown
of the colour
; the

with

of

has

caught with

him

for his

his mouth

fish,resembling carp in shape and colour, called

have
There
ponds are now
plentifullystocked.

species of small

brought

to be

commends

nourishment,than

Walton

Since

unto

near

very

indeed

anglers.Matthiolust

of

small worm,

now

tissue,
parts

reservoirs
a

very

punch-bowl, with

bottom
; frequentlychanging the water, and
feeding
pleasure in angling
gentles. Those who can take more
for than
in beholding them
catch
(which I confess I could never
do), may
them
with gentles; but though costly,
food.
H.
they are but coarse
Andreas
t Petrus
Matthiolus, of Sienna, an eminent
physician of the
with

bread

at the

"

There

is also

but hath
scales,
know

fish
a
Sticklebag,

with

fenced

only

to

hook

be

hook

your

into

having firsttied

quick than

him

with

minnow,

turn

or

so

will
can.

the

tempt

on

the

or

side of the

a little more
sticklebag,

his
he

line,and he

; but if he do not

little more

hook, as

your

to your

trout

any

little above

manner

up his mouth

his tail

part,or towards

the inner

be

minnow

or

that,or

thread

white

after such

is like to turn, then sew

is like to turn quick,and

quick,then

better,

windmill,

penk

any
turningof

trout

minnow, is
fishing. To which end, if you put
his mouth, and
out at his tail,and then,

tail,and placedhim

turn

women-

; for he may

him

sail of

turninglike the

note, that the nimble

of minnow
the perfection
For

prickles.I
he is good for

be fish of prey, as
at a penk, and
as

with

rightlybaited

baited as, his tail

make him turn more

without

winter, nor what

make
sport for boys and

and to feed other fish that

anglers,
in particular,
who will bite at him
if your

several

he dwells in

but

in summer,

body

his

where

not

fish called

213

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

less towards

hook,

crooked

or

or

put the

straight

more

your hook, until it will turn both true and fast,and then
doubt not but to tempt any great trout that lies in a swift
And
the loach that I told you of will do the
stream.*
on

like
too

bait is

no

more

tempting,provided

the

loach be

not

big.

scholar,with the help of this fine morning,and

I
your patientattention, have said all that my presentmemory
And

now,

of the
will afibrd me, concerningmost
usuallyfished for in fresh waters.
Yen.

But, master, you

have,by

several fish that

are

made
civility,
promise,and say

former

your

hope that you will make good your

something of the several rivers that be of most note in this
and the orderingof them ;
nation ; and also of fish-ponds,
of
and do it,I pray, good master, for I love any discourse

me

and
rivers,

fish and

passes away

very

fishing
; the
pleasantly.

sixteenth century, famous

Dioscorides.
*

See remarks

on

time

for his commentaries

spinning for

trout

at the

^^^^^

spent in such discourse

on

some

close of

of the

chap. 5.

writings of
"

Ed.

2U

XIX.

CHAPTER
SEVERAL

OF

FISH.

OF

OBSERVATIONS

SOME

AND

RIVERS,

Bap.]
[JFift!)

Well, scliolar,since

Pisc.

us, and

favour

that

the ways

yet

we

desire.

your
my willingnessto satisfy
for the rivers of this nation,there be, as

shall

see

Heylin'sGeography,and

of Doctor

but those of chiefest note

loweth

you

note

may

others,in number

reckons

and

describes

out

325,
as

fol-

1. The

Thame
rivers,

chief is Thamesis, compounded of two

whereof
Isis,

and

he

Cross, you
And
first,

Tottenham

not

see

do both

weather

and

former,risingsomewhat

the

beyond Thame

Cirencester in Gloucestershire,
and the latter near
Buckinghamshire,
meet
togetherabout Dorchester in Oxfordshire j
the issue of which
happy conjunctionis the Thamesis, or
Thames
Berks, Buckinghamshire,
; hence it flieth between
Essex
and
himself
Middlesex, Surrey,Kent,
: and so weddeth

in

to the Kentish

Med

way,

in the very

jaws of the

This

ocean.

river,feeleth the violence and benefit of the sea

glorious
than any river in Europe,ebbing and flowingtwice

sixtymiles ; about whose banks

and princely
palacesthat a German*

than

more

towns

are

so

more
a

many
thus

poet

day,
fair

truly

spake :
*'Tot
We

saw

woods
and princely
bowers,
many
brave palaces,
and statelytowers,
fields,

Sweet
So many
That

2. The

campos," etc.

so

gardensdress'd

Thames

second

with curious care.

with royal Tiber may compare.

river of note

is

Sabrina,or

Severn

; it hath

in Montgomeryshire,
and
beginningin Plynlimmon-hill
miles from Bristol,
his end seven
washing,in the mean
space,
the walls of Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Gloucester,
and
and palacesof note.
divers other places

its

Who

Latin,

are

this German
in

"

poet

was

I cannot

Heylin'sCosmography,"

find ; but
p. 240, and

the
are

verses,
as

in the

follow:

Tot campos,
sylvas,tot regiatecta,tot hortos,
Artifici exeultos dextra,tot vidimus arces ;
Ut nunc
Tibride certet.
Ausonio, Thamesis, cum

"

"

H.

original

215

ANGLER,

COMPLETE

THE

thirtykind of fishes""*that are

for that it receiveth thirtylesser rivers ; who,
and glidingthrough the
ha^dng its fountain in Staffordshire,
and York, augcounties of Nottingham, Lincoln, Leicester,
called from

Trent, so
found in it,or
3.

the turbulent

menteth

of all the isle.

stream

distinct

Humber, the

most

violent

is not, to

say

truth, a

Humber

This

his own,
aestuarian of divers rivers here

river,having

rather the mouth

of

current

or

but it is

of
spring-head

conliuent,

Derwent, and especially

of Ouse and Trent ; and (asthe Danow, having received into
divers
trie river Dravus^ Savus, Tibiscus,and
its channel

namely,your
meeting together,

and

4. Med

river,famous

Kentish

way,

Humberabus,

into this of

changethhis name
others)
old geographers
call it.

the

as

harbouringthe

for

royalnavy.
north-east

Tweed, the

5.

northern

banks

is seated the

bound

of

strong and

England ; on whose
impregnabletown of

Berwick.

Tyne,famous

6.

for

These,and the
in
Our

rest of

of Mr.

one

pits.
coal-

Newcastle, and her inexhaustible

thus

note, are
principal

hended
compre-

Drayton'ssonnets.

floods' queen,

is crown'd
Thames, for shipsand swans
statelySevern for her shore is praised;
The crystalTrent, for fords and fish renown' d ;

And

Avon's

And

fame

to Albion's cliffsis raised.

CarlegionChester

vaunts her holy Dee ;

York many
wonders of her Ouse can tell ;
The Peak, her Dove, whose banks so fertilebe ;
And
Kent will say, her IMedway doth excel.

Cotswold
Our

Our

you

the old Lea

observations

old deceased

to you

Some

it

t The

friend,Michael

blood, f

of learned

Dr.

Drayton; and

Heylin,and

my

because

say

you

ing,
of rivers and fish and fishas these,
the better,
and love the more
to impart them

if I
nevertheless,
scholar,

ever

beginbut

should

produced thirty different varieties offish.

of King Alfred, entered the
"

Danes, in the time

in their small
near

out

are

the Danish

it has thirty(trcnte) tributaries.

It is more
say because
had that number
of streams, great and
small, running

tlie Trent
that

bragsof

love such discourses

I love you

her Isis to the Thame

;
borders boast of Tweed's fair flood ;

parts extol their Willy'sfame

western

And

These

commends

northern

Hertford

ships
or

to

Ware

a
:

name

likelythat
into it,than

Ed.

Lea

and

ascending it

twenty miles, built a castle on

Ed.
blood."
the allusion, Danish

distance
hence

to

of

"

"

its banks

216
tlie several

of those

many
wonder

yet I will

; and

unbelief,or both

or

the

into

run

usually taken in
sea, I might beget

are

venture

concerningone latelydissected by
great learning and experience,and

real truth

Wharton,

that

rivers

in you,

tell you

to

strange fisli that

of

sorts

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of

man

Dr.
of

and my
that loves me
it ; one
of the
beholden
for many
I have
been
to whom
art ; one
This good
that I have imparted to you.
choicest observations
to communicate

equal freedom

that

man,

dares

did, I say, tell me

mouth

his
of
a

fish

The

"

; his stomach

and

yard broad,

that

twice

length ;

receive,or take into it,the head

to

or

seven

eight inches

He

broad.

is of

usuallylies or lurks close in the mud, and

stringon his head, about a span or near unto
yard long,by the moving of which, with his

moveable

strange fish,and

one

:
a

enough

untruth,

an

motion, and

slow

has

me

almost

was

wide

man

it to

described

he thus

latelydissected

he had

tell

than

rather

anything

do

to

quarter of a
natural bait, when
a

fish

other

draws

he lies close
close to him

so

and
that

he

the

in

unseen

suck

can

mud, he

them

into

mouth, and so devours and digeststhem."

at this,for besides the credit
And, scholar,do not wonder
of the relator,
of these,and fishes that
you are to note, many

his

of the like and

are

the mouths

on

will be

this

fishes that

river,and
that

river

natural
that

and

of

no

the

give a

can

whither

Norfolk, and

you
of them

banks

name

the

by

does not

the

on

only breed

fat slime

it falls back

when

Egypt

overflowingof

that

which
into its

also bred,

are

to, as Grotius,in his

strayed in

am

that
so

the

at

this discourse.

mouth

of

"

Soj)hom,"

I will end

of these

some

as
namely,
plentiful,

in the

near

to

rivers

it
of

Yarmouth

west

country, pilchersso very plentiful,

read

Avhat

to

learned

our

Camden

relates

"Britannia,"p. 178, 186.

Well, scholar,I
and

river Nilus
but

travelled

have

observed.

will wonder
in his

that

strange fish and beasts

channel, such
man

any

on

the sun's heat

the

on

herringsare

as

names,

help of

leaves

by tellingyou,
in

to

the famous

want

yet

others, have

But

ours

wonder

no

very often taken

the sea-shore.
And

shapes,are

and
sea-rivers,

our

'tis known,

where

unusual

more

conference

will

stop here, and

I have

observed

tell you

what

ing
by readconcerningfish-ponds.

217

CHAPTEH
OF

FISH-PONDS,

XX.

AND

THEM.

ORDER

TO

HOW

[jfim Bap.]
Pisc. Doctor
discourse of

Lebault,the learned Freucliman,

Maison
Rustique,'^
givesthis direction

of

fish-ponds
; I shall refer you
I think I shall contract it,and
He

adviseth,that

made

the

earth

that you must

of oak or elm

when

firm

the

so,

them, and
then

lay faggotsor
then

havingfirst very

another

pilein

the second

like

pileis to

earth
well

be of

or

in two

in the

rows

fire,or

and
them

twixt
be-

them, and
and the earth,use
above

the first were

the

wood

of smaller

bavins

about

three

or

the earth ; for being

longer from rotting: and

betwixt

as

ground,and
pond must be,

into

rammed

manner

useful.

the

be scorched

should

half-burnt,before they be driven

thus used,it preserves them much

having done

as

of the

drive
then,in that place,
which
piles,

it

drained

head

making
but
large,

for

read at

to

yet make
have

you

where

to him

in liislarge

note, that

and

heightthat

you

intend

that you intend

or the vent
flood-gate,
shall convey the overflowings
of your pond in any flood that
shall endangerthe breakingof the pond-dam.
Then he advises,
that you plantwillows or owlers about it,
not far from
or
both, and then cast in bavins in some
places,

to make

side,and

the

sluice

your

or

in the most

for
sandy places,

fish both

to spawn

fry from, the many

upon, and to defend tliem and the young
fish,and also from vermin that lie at watch to destroythem,
'tisleft to
the spawn of the
especially
carp and tench, when
of ducks or vermin.
the mercy
He and Dubravius,and all others advise,that you make
choice of such
with

placefor

little rill,
or

with

pond, that it may

rain-water,running or

your

it ; by which, fish are more

inclined both
also refreshed and fed the better,and do
and more
sweeter
much
pleasanttaste.

This

book, translated

Markham,
1616, folio.

Gervase

into

English by Richard

is extant, under

the title of

"

The

to

be refreshed
into
falling

breed,and

prove

to

be

are

of

Surflet,and corrected by
London,
Country Farm."

218

THE

wh icliend

To
have

it is

graveland

most

i t is best
all pools,

namely, hollow
them

from

of the

about

your

make

it

to

the

from
fit,

think

treme
ex-

extremityof
trees be growing
note, that if many
leaves thereof,fallinginto the water,

pond,the

nauseous

roots

they

also,from

as

summer;

And

cold in winter.

when

note, that in

retiring
place; as
of trees, to keep

some

banks, or shelves,or
and

selves,
sport them-

fish may
purest taste. And
have

aud
large,

be

poolsas

where

shallows

for fish to

danger;

heat

such

that
observed,

afford fish of the

do

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

fish,and

the

the

the

fish to be

to the

so

of it.

eater

You

to cleanse your

are

pleasure,once

four

years
twelve

or

and

the carp

to feed

on

either

profitor

grass.

some
(especially

months, both to
rushes,
candocks,reate,and bulwater-lilies,

weeds, as

water-

there ; and

that breed

or

also that

these die for want

as

bottom, which carps

grass may grow in the pond's
greedilyin all the hot months, if the pond be clean.

of water

will eat
The

intend

then let it lie dry six

ponds),and
kill the

pond,if you

three

every

eel love mud

in the hot months

gravellyground,and

loves

and

that the tench

'Tis noted

so

lett ing your

pond dry,and sowing oats

in the

bottom, is

also goo d, for the fish feed the faster : and being sometimes
let dry, you may
observe what kind of fish either increases or
thrives

; for

best in that water

they differ much,

both in their

breeding and feeding.

Leba
and

ult also

ro

advises,that if your

that you

omy,

not

them

chippingsof

chicke

kill to
of any fowl or beast that you
He
; for these afford fish a great relief
ns

or

frogs and
have,
allow
if

water-

they

and

frogsto

be fat

frogs are

feed selves
yoursays, that

harm, and devour both the spawn

of the carp ; and I
fry of all fish,especially

young
besides experience,
many

large

do much

ducks

t he

and

very

fish

by throwing into
bread, curds, grains,or the entrails of
often

feed your

ponds be

but

be

you

Englishwill

testimonies of it. But

in some
goodmeat, especially
are

to

in his

months,

note, that he is a Frenchman

hardly believe

usuallyeaten

Lebault

him, though

country

however,

we

he

know
advises

out of your ponds. And

he
king-fishers
adv is es not to suffer much shootingat wild fowl ; for that,
he
the fish.
and harms and destroys
ens
says, affright
to d

other

stroy them

and

ote,that carps and tench thrive and breed best when

fish is

fish devour

put

with

them

their spawn,

or

into the

same

at least the

pond

no

; for all other

greatestpart

of

it.

COMPLETE

THE

And

219

ANGLER.

note, that clods of grass thrown

into any

pond, feed any

parsleythrown

and
carps in summer
; and that garden-earth
into a pond recovers
and refreshes the sick fish.

that when

you store your pond,you

three melters for one spawner, if you
pond ; but if into a nurse-pond or

they will
be most

male

no

that be

over
sides,

sandy,and

or

breeding

feedingpond, in

which

taken,whether

there

which

carps are those

and free from wind, and

warm

willow

the water

breed

pondsto

are

deep,but have

not

are

or

female

or

stony

put them into

is to be

care

carps.
that
the
best
observed,

It is
that

breed,then

not

note,

put into it two

to

are

And

flows

sometimes

in

winter

pondsthat

than

their
grass on
and note, that

or
pitsthat have
marle-pits,
ponds, or ponds that lie dry a

usuallybreed
carps do more
clean clay-bottoms,
in new
or
season,

and

trees

in old

and

full of mud

be

weeds.

Well, scholar,I have told you the substance of all that

either observation,or discourse,or a diligent
survey of Dubravius and Lebault
discourses have
so

hath told
said

not

that twice two

to this

and
discourse,

[Mr. Gottlieb

Boccius

if a

they in

is one

I will therefore

put

amongst us. He has written a "Treatise on

his permission,
I make
the following
extracts
"

The

Ponds

is requisite
to

It

Stews.

or

is observable

that

end

which, with

"

ought to be three in number, and

elevation for the first pond.
slight

the

author

has

said

which

is,in truth, a dull recreation ; and to which

that fish in ponds are alreadycaught
Nevertheless
St. James's
Park, which, though a large one, is yet
of Charles II.,the practice of ladies to angle.

little of
very
heard
I have

it

If

pond-fishing,
it objected,

I find,that in the canal at

in the reign
a pond, it was,

"Beneath, a shoal of silver fishes glides,

And
plays about the gildedbarges'sides ;
The ladies,angling in the crystallake.
Feast on the waters with the prey they take
At

an

These

"

choice of

make

are

of river-fish

River-Fish,"from
:

long-

rest us.^'

and

breeders
practical

of the best

rest

metician,
good arith-

should tell a

will here sit down

we

their

of the

the most

man

is four.

that

not

; but

more

as
observations,

common

me

victorious with their lines and eyes.

their prize."
They make the fishes and the men

"

Waller,

"

Poem

once

on

[Pond-fishingis not
and

trollingfor pike
Nor

"

now

are,

"

Ed.]

carp

at the

with

Park," latelyimproved hy His

The

dull recreation."

is it at all correct

for instance, to catch

perform.

St. James's

present day, to be had

to say,

rod

"

and

that

fish in

line is

an

very
in

Majesty." H

our

bottom-fishing
voirs.
ponds and reseralready caught" ;

best

ponds are
angling feat

very

difficult to

220
this
possible
or
village,

should be

at any

so

rate

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

situated that

proximityto

drainingsof

receive the

it may
farm

desirable,

is

as

washingsfrom such placessupply food to a largeextent.

The object
in havingthe first pond higherthan the others,is that
"

supplyof water may

being connected by
sufficient depth and

in succession : the
pass from it to the lower ones
must
and
a water-course
protectedby flood-gates,

to
readily

in succession.

the next

to allow

descent

ponds
have

to pass oft*

of the water

the whole

all the refuse

hundred
to each other than one
ponds ought not to be nearer
each
then
distance
between them the better,as
can
yards the greaterthe
have the benefit of the refuse washings of the neighbourhood
and adjoining
will
which
of course
contribute largelyto the supportof the
fields,
stock.
the ponds,
between
Moreover, by having a long water-course
when
either of them is sluiced off,or as the term is fished/that part of
The

"

which
the store,
invariably
escapes with the fall of water, can be recovered
in a much
cleaner and consequently
more
healthystate than those which
left behind

are
"

in the slam

Clay soils are

bottoms

not

will leave
In

"

an

equallysoft and

pure

the fish do

claybottoms

its cold

for the

and

lightloamy

or

gravelly

ponds ; if,however, the clayis not

excavatingit yellow sand can be reached, then it
for the

of the water
from

fish ; therefore

genialto

to be chosen

ought
deep, and by

too

mud.

or

not

partakingof

livingcreatures,in

the

thrive,from

of food,in

want

racy*qualityof

the

quence
conse-

earth,which

does not afford the nutriment

sterile nature

maintenance

portance.
bottom, the sides being of less im-

requisite

and
other minute
the larvse of insects,
worms,
sufficient number, and so keepsthe stock lean and
of

unfit for food.

In

"

care
formingponds,particular
oughtto be taken to make the sides
shelve gradually
for about six yards; and they are on no account to be
at
the
account
of the sward nom-ishinglargequansides,firstly,
deep
on
tities
of insects,
food of the fish ; secondly,
the ponds
etc.,the legitimate
not so easily
arc
poached,the shallows being protectedby stakes ; and
is afforded to the brood.
thirdly,
protection
The onlydeep that ought to exist at either side should be near
the
sluice or floodgate,
where
it should be twelve or eighteeninches deeper
"

than

the rest of the

fish may

be

closed,an

pond, in

collected into

close

of water

the water

space, and when

is drawn

the

the
off,

sluice is again

immediatelytake place,sufficient
succeedingstore.
it is always advisable to let the ponds fillto the
In the rainyseason
full extent of their prescribed
as this not onlybringsa large
boundaries,
the
is
the water
adjacentgrounds,but when
proportionof food from
the
borders
let
oft'
tender
age,
herbluxuriant
and
recedes,
or
produce
again
peculiarly
adaptedfor the food of carp, and upon which that fish
in rainyweather,and may frequently
feeds greedily
be observed flounder-

for the

accumulation

order that when

of
protection

the brood

may

or

"

Racy

is the term

for

speciesof iron-stone

sand

found

in

clay strata.

iiighalf

of his

out

in

element

watery

221

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

order

obtain his

to

favourite

morsel.
all

"As

and
is pernicious,
foliage

to the
fish,especially
trees

fryor

should

shrubs

or

the

to
highlyinjurious
decomposition

be fullyborne in mind

brood, it must
be

never

the borders

plantedon

or

that

margins of the

then only at a sufficient distance,

for
ponds ; but if ornament be required,
it is equallynecessary to have a free action of air passing
the surface,
over

pure and wholesome

contributes largelyto effect both.
as

Fish grown
superiorflavour

directions will not

these

by

"

or

water, in fact the removal

it is to have

those

to

taken

from

common

of trees

onlyprove fat,but of a far

and ill-regulated
ponds

stews.

If the first

"

should

pond

get

over-accumulated

an

store of water, it

be let off by the sluice into the second, and so on to the third,and
then be suffered to run
waste, for no pond ought on any account to
overflow or break its boundaries, as by so doing and by conveyingthe
must

fish to the next

pond,it injuresthat stew by introducingfish of different

serious loss ; food would
be then
so
a
proves ultimately
insufficient for their jointmaintenance, consequently
the fish would gain

growths,and

but littlein size and

If the

weight.

have

and well-regulated
an
even
ponds
supply of water, then
their depth at the centre need never
be more
than from three to five feet,
the
to
sides
before
stated
if
but
as
shelving
only an indifferent supply
;
be obtained,then they must
can
be twelve or eighteeninches deeper.
It is not, hov/ever,desirable to have the ponds so situated that a
largequantityof fresh water shall suddenlybe able to find its way into
them, as it both thickens the whole by moving the mud, and beingcolder
and of other properties,
it sickens the store for some
time, and checks
their thriving.A well-regulated
is to be
and
supply
co-equaldischarge
"

"

recommended

and

Having
ought to have,
attention

to.

far described the base and

I

to which

adapted for

be attended

must

thus

"

shall

lucrative rental

succession

the three,the second

ponds.
next

At the

reasons.

proceed

in

The

lay

to

which the ponds

positions
the requisite
rules, by

down

estate is
be obtained,where
an
be the smallest of

can

firstpond should

size,and

for the following

largest,
stated,a greatportion

third the

the

as
periodof fishing,

before

of the brood

be prevented
j and as
escapes with the flood,which cannot
another year must elapsebefore the water
or
ponds in succession can be
of
too
much
the food of the originalstore would be consumed
fished,
not

were

addition

afterwards
"

the

second

it would

pond larger,and so capable of receivingthe

moreover
extremely detrimental,as I shall
prove

show.

In order to

come

to the dimensions

of the

ponds I

shall propose

the

No. 1, three acres; No. 2, four acres; No. 3, five acres;

followingscale
twelve acres
of water, which, after the first three years
making altogether
from each pond in rotation.
of their stores,will produce an
income
annual
:

"

To

"

stock the

ponds with brood, the followingsimple calculation

sufficientfor direction ; viz.,to every

acre

of water

is

in extent,put in 200

222

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

brood

carp, 20 brood tench,and 20 brood jack;thus making 10 percent,

each of tench and jackto the carp ; the brood must be all of one season*s

Therefore to three acres

spa\vn.
60 jack,and the succession ponds

there will be 600

are

carp, 60

be stocked in like

to

tench, and

proportions,

and
the second the year following
the third again a year later,
the first,
round
in
its
turn
that
each
to be fished
so
pond then comes

In

"

stockingponds

it must

and tench be all of the

broodingthe pond

season

same

that the

observed
strictly
or spring spawn

be

the end of October,or if the

is towards

and

jack,carp,

and the

for the

periodfor

be open
Carp and tench
season

reasons.
mild, earlyin November,
following
mud
at the same
fish
of
slam
the
or
same
habits,
they
period,
being
from
lyingtorpidthrough the winter months, so that they keep secure

the attacks of the

food
carp

in worms,
tench
their

when

the

season

in

jack spawn,
July.

In

"

June

stews

becomes
down

were

no

useful,for
the

seldom

if

brood
ever

as

far

"

and
or

There

then

jack

finds sufficient
in turn

the

become

gets more

that

jack chases

more

thus
a

althoughin

from

and

and

thrive himself:

and

largerthan

would

very small
be beneficial

this

period the jack

does he keep
so
vigorous,
b}^making an easy prey, it

age ; the result

the stock finds sufficientfood

carp

is,that throughthe clearance of the brood

to live and

age

season

yet theyare
jack in them

he

and

occurs

that

springadvances,when

both the carp and tench spawn,

casts for the first season,

for the

the

as

at

and
approaches,
consequentlydo not
less the tench ; this bringsthem throughApril,
and theyremain quietfrom that time until the wet

spawning

carp, much

jack

the
their winter lairs,

leave

the

annoy

the

etc.,to subsist upon

and

sicklyas

jack ;
juvenile

of his

own

thrive upon.
of
species

in your ponds,
are
requisite
is
the
on
one
Fotamogeton natans,
;
carp
broad-leaved
called tench-weed ; the other is
pond-weed,sometimes
are

two

which

and

weeds

which

tench spawn

Ranunculus

aquatilisor water crow-foot.

Against the former,during
the period of castingtheir spawn, they rub themselves,either from an
the ova on the
excitingor soothing
cause, but they invariably
discharge
crow-foot,which is a long wiry weed, forming at intervals circles of fine
leaves : from its toughnessand close foliage
it protectsthe spawn
and
from
the
attacks
of
I
of
it
is
birds
think
of
means
by
young fry
prey.
weed
this
of fish from one pond to
that wild fowl convey different species
nature of the ova
another,in consequence of the gelatinous
causingthem
the
bird
to adhere to the feathers of
and this will account
while feeding,
for fish
Wild

being found

fowl

are

seek the weeds

in waters

where

fond
particularly
encumbered

with

none

of the

sort had

been

stored.

of spawn ; they destroy

much
of it,and
it. It is among
these weeds that the

protectedwhen they emerge from the ova ; for like

partially
everythingproducedfrom creation's lot,in the earlysta^eof life being
float about,for three
so do they swim, or more
helpless,
properly,
perfectly
the shell of the ova attached to them, showing a similarity
or four days with

fry are

to the umbilical cord

the brood

in

instinctively
againstother fish afforded by
move

animals,after which

it falls ofl^
and

then

shoal to the scours, for the protection

the shallow water, as well as on account of

in

COMPLETE

THE

its bein"2:
warmer

and of

the firstmovement
destructive to the

so

and around

the

weight to
lighter
from

223

ANGLER.

that

the

their small

egg
and I have
spawn-casts;

frames.

fish of prey,
seen

male

layer,open-mouthed,huntingaway

It is during

are
eels,
especially
over
trailing

trout

every other fish that

should make
a

its appearance, solely

his voracious appetite. To
to gratify
casual observer it would appear as if he protectedthe fry,
but this is not

the case,

he does not

permit the spawner to approach; and were

trout
stream would be swarming with millions
object,
every
of fry,whereas it is difficultto keep a trout stream
in a tolerably
wellas

even

the
protection
stocked

state."]

CHAPTER
DIRECTIONS

MAKING

FOR

OP
BOTH

OF

XXI.
LINE,
ROD

AND

FOR

AND

THE

COLOURING

LINE,

Bap,]
(last)
[jFift!)

Well, scholar,I

Pisc.

have

held you
rivers,and

cadis,and

smaller

fish,and

are
spirits
being,we

almost

spent,and

now

are

almost

so

is your

patience:

Tottenham, where

at

to
are
you, and where we
you a littledirection how

I doubt

longabout these
fish-ponds
; and my

too

part,I will lose

but

first met

time, but give

to make
and order your lines,
and
colour the hair of which you make
for that is
your lines,

to

very

needful to be known

of

angler;

an

no

and also how

top ; for a right grown

your
your rod, especially
choice commodity, and should be preservedfrom

to

paint

top

is

the water

soakinginto it,which makes it in wet weather to be heavy

and not true ; and also it rots quickly
and fish ill-favouredly,
of painting: and I think a good top is worth prefor want
serving,
I had

or

taken

not

care

to

keep a top

above

twenty

years.
first for your line. Pirst,
note,that you are
hair be round and clear,
and free from

But

that your
or

frets,for

of

will
glass-colour,

that
haii-s,
You

scabs

clear,round hair, of a kind

scabby
strong as three uneven

are

prove

as

ill-chosen,and
find

full of

gallsor

making your

unevenness.

round, but many

if you
get a lock of
therefore,

black hair but

it is

;
white, are flat and uneven
hair,make
round, clear,glass-colour
right,

for

or
galls

care

well-chosen,even,

shall seldom

And

to take

much

of it.

line observe this rule ; firstlet your

22-i

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLEK.

you go about to twist it ; and then

choose not only the clearest hair for it,but hairs that be of an
for such do usuallystretch altogether,
and
equal bigness,

hair be clean washed

ere

which
altogether,
and so
break singly,

break
but

hairs of

never
do,
unequalbigness
the angler that trusts to

an

deceives

them.
When

twisted your
and
hour at least,

quarter of

links,
laythem

have

you
an

then

in water

twist them

for

again,

over

into a line : for those that do not so,

before you tie them
and
shall usuallyfind their line to have a hair or two shrink,
with it,which is so
be shorter than the rest at the firstfishing
of
strength

niucli of the
it and

it ; and
re-twisting

then

of those which

line,one

hair

the line lost for want

this is most

hath

of firstwatering
visible in

seven-

black hair in the

alwaysa

middle.

dyeingof your hairs,do

vStrongale,half a pound of soot,and
for

And

it thus

take

pint of
a littlequantityof the
equalquantityof alum ;
:

leaves,and an
in a pot,pan, or pipkin,
and boil them half
put these together,
hour ; and having so done, let it cool ; and being cold,
an
put your hair into it,and there let it lie ; it will turn your

juiceof

walnut-tree

hair to be
the

kind

longeryou

taughtto

make

choice

let it lie the

other

many

or
glass-colour,
greenish; and
deeperit will be. You might be
or

colours,but

the water-colour

for doubtless
most

of water

or

hair is the
glass-coloured

or

useful for

the most

it is to littlepurpose

an

but
angler,

let it not be

too green.

desire to colour hair greener, then do it thus :

take a quart of small ale,half a pound of alum ; then put
these into a pan or pipkin,and your hair into it with them ;
and let it boil softly
for half an hour;
then put it upon a fire,
if you

But

then take out your hair,and let it dry ; and

of water, and put into it two
done,then take a pottle

and

and
marigolds,
and set it againon

of

the

hour, about

half

an

then

put into

it with

cover

it half

where
fire,

which
a

time

pound

it the hair that you

tile or

what

handfuls
think

fit,

it is to boil

the

scum

of copperas,

intend

you

havingso

for
againsoftly
turn
yellow;
beaten small,and

will

to colour ; then

let the hair

tillhalf the liquorbe wasted,and then let it
be boiled softly
cool three or four hours with your hair in it ; and you are to

with

copperas you put into it,the greener it

will be ; but, doubtless,the pale green is best : but if
you
desire yellow hair,which is only good when
the weeds rot.
observe

that the

more

THE

put in the

then

COMPLETE

This for

and
marigolds,

more

copperas, or leave it
instead of it.

225

ANGLER.

quiteout, and
hair.

colouringyour

abate

take

And

little verdigrease

for

as

of the

most

paintingyour

size with
oil,you
a
boiled
unti]
the
together
glue be dissolved,
glue and water,
strike
then
aud the size of a lye-colour
;
your size upon the
with a bristle,
whilst it is hot ;
wood
or
a
brush, or pencil,

rod, which

be in

must

first make

must

being quitedry,take white-lead,and

that
and

much

little coal-black,so

little red -lead,

will
altogether

as

make

an

ash-colour ; grindthese all togetherwith linseed oil; let it be

thick,and layit thin upon the wood with a brush or pencil
;
this do for the ground of any colour to lie upon wood.
green, take pink and
as thin
togetherin linseed-oil,

For

with

lay it smoothly on
doing,for the most
twice,be

lay

on

sure

your
second.

your brush,and drive it thin ; once

part will serve, if you lay it well ; and if
first colour be thoroughly
dry before you

Well, scholar,
having now
and
as

and grind them

verdigrease,
well grindit;then
as you
can

having still a

we

towards

walk

we

to you

some

soul since

possestmy

have
thoughts

mile to Tottenham

we

to

paint your rod,

I will,
High-cross,
of this sweet
suckle
honey-

it in the cool shade

hedge,mention
that have

taughtyou

of the

thoughtsand joys
met
together. And

two

told you, that you may also joinwith

in thankfulness to the Giver of every good and perfect
me
that our presenthappinessmay
for our happiness. And
gift,

these

appear
will
very

to be the

beg you
time

been

greater,and

to consider with

lie under

tooth-ache ; and
that I miss is a

we

me,

the torment

this

we

are

the
how

thankful

more

for

it,I

do,even at this
stone, the gout,and

many

of the

free from.

And

every

misery

mercy, and therefore let us be thankful.

There have been,since we met, others that have met disasters
others thunderhave been blasted,
of broken limbs ; some
new

strucken

all those

many

; let

have been freed from these,and

; and we
other miseries that threaten
nature
human

therefore

and
rejoice,

be

thankful.

Nay,

which

is

us

fiir

burthen of
greatermercy, we are free from the unsupportable
none
can
an
a misery that
accusingtormenting conscience,
his
for
bear ; and therefore let us praisehim
preventing
is
and
a new
say, every miserythat I miss
mercy : nay,
grace,
have
tell
there
that
be many
let me
fortytimes our
you,
estates,that would givethe greatestpartof it to be healtliful
p

226
cheerful like

and

X^

us

littlemoney,
angled,and sung, and
of

wlio,with the expence

laught,and
sleptsecurely; and rose next day, and cast away care, and
rich
sung, and laught,and angledagain; which are blessings
Let me tell you,
cannot
men
purchasewith all their money.
scholar,I have a rich neighbour that is always so busy that
he has no leisure to laugh; the whole business of his lifeis to
eat and

have

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

drank, and

stillget more
and
money, that he may
more
; he is stilldrudging on, and says, that Solomon
money
rich :" and it is true indeed;
hand maketh
says, "The diligent
but, he considers not that it is not in the power of riches to
of great
make
a man
happy : for it was wiselysaid,by a man
and

get money,

more

observation," That there be as many miseries beyond riches,

this side them :" and yet God deliver us from pinching
as
on
poverty ; and grant that having a competency, we may be
Let

content, and thankful.

think

with

abound

God

giftsof

the

unequallydealt,if

riches,when,

rich

hang
keys that keep
that they clog him
man's girdle,
when

even
nights,

restless

be like the silk-worm,

very

corrodingcares,
a

rich

this many

herself ; and

to

seems

but

see

to

play,is,at

the

consuming

do,loadingthemselves

with

scionably
they have, probably,uncon-

be thankful for health and

got. Let us, therefore,
competence ; and, above all,for a quietconscience.
Let

with
and

tell you,

me

his

them

that Diogeneswalked
scholar,

friend,to

see

country fair ; where

and nut-crackers
looking-glasses
and
and

many
all the

other
other

there in thisworldof
it is so,

or

themselves

charge God

might
to

get what

so, with

very

they have

that he hath

not

no

that make

given

many
need
him

many

need !"
who
of

horses
hobbyobserved

complete
thingsare
And truly
and

vex

Can

day,

ribbons

saw

gimcracks; and, having

finnimbruns

no
whichDiogeneshath

be

he

on

fiddles and

and

he said to his friend,

"Lord, how
country fair,

^^^

and

him

bowels, and

own

men

keep what

to

she

that,when

are

days

weary

few consider

happiness:

time, spinningher

same

that

cares

heavilyat the

so

with

as

another

see

sleepquietly.We

others

the outside of the rich man's

often

much

so

we

knows, the

God

as

those riches

the

repine,or

not

us

any

enough to make

toil
man

his

No, doubtless ; for nature is content with a little.

that complains
not
And yet you shall hardlymeet with a man
want ; thoughhe,indeed,wants
of some
nothingbut his will ;
of
his
will
his
but
it rnay be,nothing
poor neighbour,for not
lifehappy %

worshippingor

not

him
flattering

and

thus when

we

might

be

we
happy and quiet,

heard

of

that

man

taller ; and

no

because
as

God

of

it would

that

woman

must, because she was

in the highestpew in the

engaged her

husband

law-suit with

he, and had

wife

words,and

a
as

this law-suit

and

her

as

for

I liave

because he

was

looking-glass
and handsome

young

another to whom
that nature

riches had made

rich,and

had

purse-proud
;

other

virtue,sit
church ; which
being denied her,
into a contention for it,and at last
no

dogged neighbourwho was

as
peevishand purse-proud

begot higher

vexations

more

that both

as

the

rich

as

other

actionable

and
oppositions,

law-suits ; for you must

member
retherefore have their
rich,and must

were

and

Well, this wilful,purse-proudlaw-suit lasted during

will.

the life of the first husband

chid,and

chid

and

into her grave

curst into
was

thankful
a

broke

given health and

and

himself

her face to be

and her husband's

peevish,

into

ourselves.

to

And I kne vv
was.
neighbour's
plenty,but a wife

her next

had

made

she

with

angry

show

not

trouble

create

was

227

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

man

and

; after which

till she

vext

his wife vext

also chid

and

vext

and

herself

the wealth

of these poor rich people

punishment,because they wanted meek and

so

hearts ; for those onlycan make

that had health and riches,
and

and readyfurnished,and would

beautiful,

us

happy.

several

I knew

houses,all

self
often trouble him-

and

and
one
one

family,to be removing from one house to another ;

being asked by a friend,why he removed so often from
house to anotlier,
in some
"It was
to find content
replied,
But his friend,
of them."
knowing his temper,told him,

If he would

find content

in any of his houses he must

leave
in a
but
dwell
will never
; for content
meek and quietsoul. And
this may appear, if we read and
consider what our
Saviour says in St. Matthev/s
gospel
; for
himself

behind

he there says,
mercy.

"

him

"
"

Blessed

be

the

Blessed be the pure

tain
merciful,for they shall obin heart,for they shall see
j

Blessed be the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom
"
of heaven."
Blessed be the meek, for they shall
And,
Not that tlie meek shall not also obtain
possess the earth."
to
mercy, and see God, and be comforted,and at last come
time he, and he
the kingdom of heaven ; but in the mean
God.

"

only,possesses the earth,as he goes towards that kingdom of

and content with what
heaven, by beinghumble and cheerful,
He has no turbulent,
his good God has allotted him.
ing,
repinvexatious thoughtsthat he deserves better ; nor is vext
when

he

sees

others

possestof
p2

more

honour

or

more

riches

228

ANGLEH.

COMPLETE

THE

has allotted for his share ; but he possesses

and
such a
contented quietness,
lias with
meek
a

his wise God

than
what

he

both
pleasing,

his very dreams

makes

as
quietness

to God

and

liimself.

My

scholar,all this

honest

is told to incline you

let me
incline you the more,
thoughthe prophetDavid was guiltyof murder
j and

and
a

many
after God's

man

tell you,

to

thankfulness

other that is mentioued

any

with

holyScripture,

of Psalms

book

in his

adultery,
more

in

that

said to be

was

heart,because he abounded

own

than

and

deadlysins,yet he

other of the most

to thankfulness

there is
; where
may
appear
of his sins and un worthiof his corjfessing
such a commixture
ness,
and such thankfulness for God's pardonand mercies,as
as

did make

him

after his

man

like him
from

God

What

together.

that

man

was

us

born

and

or

blind

not

forgetto

not

have

blind

himself,to be

flowers and
could

met

praisehim
praisehim
with

give to

man

?
together

met

we

value

pleasurewe

would

meadows
since

with

and

to

not

; let

mirth

rivers and
met

us

God

by

let us, in that, labour to be as

the Ijlessings
receive daily
we

and

let not

can;

common

innocent

own

make

they be
/

heart

we

as

accounted,even

be

to

I have

been

to have

obtain

for the

since

see

fountains

because

the
that

we

met

pleasant
we

have

told,that if a
his

sight for
should,at the

and
only one hou.r duringhis whole life,
first opening of his eyes, fix his sightupon the sun
when
it
in its full glory,either at the risingor setting
of it,he
was
would be so transported
and amazed, and so admire the glory
turn his eyes from that first
of it,that he would not willingly
to behold all the other various beauties this
ravishingobject,
but

world

could

we
blessings,

they be

so

And

present to him.

enjoydaily. And
common,

most

this,and many other like

of them, because
for most

forgetto

:
pay their praises
to
Him
that
pleasing

men

but let not us, because it is a sacrificeso

and us, and still i:)rotects
that sun
made
us, and
and
flowers and showers, and stomachs
meat, and
and

leisure to go

and

content

a-fishing.

Well, scholar,I have

than

gives us

almost

tired

almost tired you; but I now

short walk thither shall
our

myself,and, I fear,more
Tottenham
see
High-cross,
to
a
put period my too long

discourse,in which my meaning was and is,to plant that in

soul : that
your mind, with which I labour to possess my own
And
to that end, I have
is,a meek and thankful heart.
-showed

you

that

without them, do
riches,

not

make

any

man

COMPLETE

THE

But

happy.

fears and

many

tell you, that

lefcme

; and

cares

229

ANGLER.

riches,with

them, remove
advice is,that you

therefore my

or
honestlyricli,
contentedlypoor
riches be justlygot,or you spoilall.

to be

endeavour

that your
well said by
sure

"he
Caussin,'"'

nothing left that

is worth

that

loses his

but

For

be
it is

conscience,has

keeping." Therefore

be

sure

you

And, in the next place,look to jour health :

have it,praiseGod, and value it next to a good

to that.

look

if you
conscience ; for health is the second
that money
are
capableof ; a blessing
and

value

it,and

thankful

buy, and

cannot

for it.

mortals

we

fore
there-

As

for money, which

be said to be the third blessing,
neglectit not : but note,

may
that there is
be

as

no

be

that
blessing

miseries

many

; for I told you

this side them
on

of being rich
necessity

beyond riches,as

there
and

competence, enjoy it with a meek, cheerful,

I have heard a grave
thankful heart. I will tell you, scholar,
in heaven, and \
one
divinef say, that God has two dwellings,
have

if you

the other in
God

grant

Yen.
I

for

hope

Nicholas

none

Which

heart.

honest

scholar

and

Almighty
so

are

you

I thank

than

:{:And
forget.

never

native

for all your

tions
good directhis last,of thankfulness,

you

of

pray let'snow

Troyes, in Champagne,

wrote

book

rest

called

Holy Court," of which there is an English translation in folio. He was

of great probity,and of such
esteemed
he attempted to
a spirit,that
a person
Cardinal
Kichelieu; but that minister proved too hard for him, and
displace
banished.
The
sentiment
above
him
is worthy
of
quoted from
got him
if
Marcus
that
be
of
Dr.
not
Antoninus, or,
Jeremy
enougli to say,
Taylor
"

The

himself

H.

"

and learned
friend of mine
t Dr. Donne, as a reverend
four preceding paragraphs
t The
beginning with,

informs
"

Well,

me.

"

H.

scholar," etc.,

attentive
perusal. They are
entirely worthy of the excellent
See how
Recreation."
styles angling the
Contemplative Man's
thankfulness
the
and
meekness
us
frequently and sincerely he urges upon
towards
former
the latter towards
God.
Cheerfulness, contentment
man,
Jiealth,a quiet guilelessconscience, are in his eyes tlie greatest of mundane
Nay, let me
I)Ossessions.He says,
mercy.
every misery that I miss is a new
tell you, there be many
that have
give the
estates, that would
forty times our

deserve

most

who

man

"

"

"

with the expence

; who
and
have ate and
slept ; and
drank, and laught,
sung, and
and
and
and
cast
angled again ;
laught,
day,
care, and
away
sung,
What
a
cannot
blessings rich men
purchase with all their money."

greatestpart
of

rose

which

of it to be healthful

and

cheerful

like

us

little money,
next
are

than
more
pretty picture of angling life ! In another passage, he
"
God, and be comforted, and
the
meek
shall
and
see
obtain mercy,
man
says,
in
the
mean
to the kingdom
of heaven
but
time, he, and he only
at last come
;
of
he
heaven,
that
earth
tlie
by being humble
as
toward
kingdom
possesses
goes
has allotted him."
and cheerful,
and content
with what
his good God
Again

genial and

High-cross.
more

I shall

Caupsin,

thankful

to my

Well, master,

; but

and

me,

to Tottenham

welcome

which

to

and

meek

230

1 ourselves

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

shady arbour,which

in this sweet

herself has

nature

finger; 'tis such a contexture of

and ni3'rtle
woven,
\woodbines,sweetbriar,jessamine,
; and so interwith

\ woven

will

as

fine

own

secure

requitea part of

And

courtesies

your

the sun's violent heat and

both from

us

approaching shower.

the

from

her

being sat down, I will

with a bottle of sack,milk,
make
a drink
put together,

oranges, and sugar ; which, all

~-iike nectar ; indeed,too good for any but us anglers. And
of that liquor
: and
so, master, here is a full glassto you
when

have

you

promisedyou

I will

pledgedme

Wotton's,and

it is

repeat the

some
copy printedamong
doubtless made either by him

of Sir

angling. Come, master,

drink

now

which

verses

or

by

Henry

lover of

and

glassto me,

then

and fall to my repetition

; it is a description
of such country recreations as I have enjoyedsince I had the
to fall into your company.
I haj)piness
I will

pledgeyou,

heart- tearingcares,
Quiveringfears,
Anxious
sighs,untimelytears,
Fly,flyto courts.
Fly to fond worldlings'
sports.
Where strain'd Sardonic smiles are glosingstill,
And

griefis
Where

forced to

mirth's

And

laugh againcther

but

mummery,

only real

sorrows

will

be.

country's
pastimes,fly.
misery.
Come, serene looks,

Fly from

our

Sad troops of human

Clear

crystalbrooks,

the

as

Or

the pure azured

The rich attendance
Peace

and

Which

he

"

says,

they

are

because

sacrifice

protects

us, and

content,

and

blessingthat
and

therefore

we

value

being

this side

rich

to

and

pay
that

of

external

their

nature), because
praises ; but let not us ;

made

that

showers,

and

sun

and

us, and

stomachs, and
"

"

capable of;
be thankful

blessing that

you, there be
if you
have
a

as

money

many

the

beyond

second

buy

cannot

As

miseries

still

meat, and
and
pious

for money,
which
but note, that there is no

for it.

neglectit not
blessing,

for I told

of them

(the beauties

a-fishing."After exhibiting a moral

Health
the practical
is
; writing,

are

it,and

said to be the third

for

men

go

mortals

mind.
seek,we only find.

flowers,and

descends

see

secure

forget to
pleasingto him

so

to

poverty

our

men

gives us

leisure

philosophy, he

on

of them

most

common,

it is

all

for most

And

so

that smiles to

heaven

may

necessity

riches

enjoy it with

be

as

on

meek,
competence,
!
It was
heart."
Good
and
wise
old man
cheerful, thankful
a
you whom
!"
did
Never
great and reckless poet designated a quaint old cruel coxcomb
of a vexed
a more
contented
and disproceed from the nomenclature
flagrantmisnomer
:

"

spirit. Here

it is no

longer

"

crede

Byron"

!
"

Ed.

COMPLETE

THE

231

ANGLES.

Abused
mortals ! did you know
"Where joy, heart's ease, and comforts grow,
You'd scorn
proud towers,
And
seek them in these bowers ;
Where winds, sometimes, our woods perhaps may
But blustering
could never
care
tempest make.
Nor

e'er

murmurs

nigh

come

Saving of fountains that

shake,.

us.

glideby us.

Here's no fantastic mask

nor
dance.
But of our kids that frisk and prance ;
Nor wars
are
seen.
Unless upon the green
Two harmless lambs are buttingone the other
"Which done, both bleating
run, each to his mother
"

And

wounds

are

Save what
Here
To

are

the ploughshare givesthe ground.

entrappingbaits,
hastyfates,

no

hasten

found.

never

to too

Unless it be
The

Of

fond

the

Upon

bait,but

Nor

never

on

the hook

less among
birds,for prizeof their sweet
envy,

The

Go, let the

For

credulity
stilllook
(worldling
like)

which
silly
fish,

divingnegro
hid in

gems,

forlorn creek

some

song.

seek

We all pearlsscorn,
Save what the dewy

morn

each littlespireof grass,

beat down
careless shep)herds
as

Congealsupon
"Which

And

they pass

goldne'er

here appears,
the yellowCeres bears.

Save what

Bless'd silent groves, 0 may you be,

For ever, mirth's best nursery !

May
For

Upon
And

pure

contents

pitchtheir tents
downs, these meads, these rocks,these mountains.
still slumber by these purlingfountains ;

ever

these

peace

Which

we

Meet, when
Pisc.

Trust

may
we

every

year

come

here
a-fishing

scholar,I tliank you heartilyfor these

verses
: theybe choicely
good,and doubtless made by a lover
of angling. Come, now,
drink a glasswith me, and I will
requiteyou with another very good copy : it is a farewell to
the vanities of the world, and some
say written by Sir Harry
excellent angler. But let
Wotton, who I told you was
an
be writ by whom
them
they will,he that writ them had a
with happy thoughts
brave soul_,
and must needs be possessed
at the time

me,

of their composure.

232

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

troubles !
pleasing
Farewell,ye gildedfollies,
d
bubbles !
Farewell,ye honour' rags, ye glorious
Fame's but a hollow echo
gold,pure clay
Honour, the darlingbut of one short day
Beauty,th' eye'sidol,but a damask' d skin
to live in.
State,but a goldenprison,
minds
embroider 'd trains,
torture
free-born
And
for
veins
Merely but pageants
proud swelling
"

"

"

"

"

"

blood allied to greatnessis alone

And

Inherited,not purchased,nor our own.

Fame, honour, beauty,state,train,blood,and bii'th,
of the earth.

fadingblossoms

Are but the

I would be great,but that the sun doth still

the risinghill
Level his rays against
but
I would be high,
see the proudestoak
Most subjectto the rendingthunder-stroke
I would be rich,but see men
(toounkind)
mind
of
the
in
the
richest
bowels
Dig
I would be wise,but that I often see
"

"

"

whilst the ass goes free

The fox suspected,
but
be
I would
see the fair and proud,
fair,
Like the brightsun, oft settingin a cloud
I would be poor, but know the humble grass
Stilltrampled on by each unworthy ass
"

"

"

wise,suspected scorn'd,if poor

fear'd
fair,tempted high,still envied
Great,

Rich,hated

"

"

"

"

"

I have wish' d all ; but

now

I wish for

Great,high,rich,wise,nor

fair
"

more

neither,

poor I'llbe rather.

for her heir

the fair
entitle
me
beauty's
queen
minion
could I vie
speakme fortune's
with a speakingeye
Angelswith India*
bare heads, bow'd knees, strike justicedumb,
Command
As well as blind and lame,or give a tongue
To stones by epitaphs be call'd " great master,'*
In the loose rhymes of every poetaster
than any man
that lives.
Could I be more

Would
Would
Fame

the world

adopt me

now

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Great,fair,
rich,wise,all in superlatives
"

Yet I more
freelywould these gifts
resign.
Than ever Fortune would have made them mine ;
And
hold one minute of this holyleisure
Beyond the riches of this empty pleasure!

angel is a pieceof coin, value ten shillings.The words to vie angels,

wealth.
In the old ballad of the
and signifyto compare
periphrasis,
Beggar'sDaughter of Bethnal-green,a competition of this kind is introduced :
a
knight,about to marry the beggar'sdaughter,is dissuaded from so
young
unequal a match by some
gentlemen,his relations,who urge the poverty of her
father : the beggar challengesthem to drop angelswith him, and fairly
empties
*

An

are

the

all. The
purses of them
ballad beginning,

known

contest,and

its issue,are

related

"

"

*
spake the blind beggar, Although I be poore,
door :
Yett raylenot againstray child at my own
Though shee be no decked in velvet and pearle,
""
Yett I will dropp angells
with you for my girle.'
H.

Then

in the well-

233

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

silent groves !
soul
most
These guests,these courts, my
dearlyloves !
Now the wing'dpeopleof the sky shall sing

"Welcome,pure thoughts! welcome, ye

to the

cheerful anthems

My
A

gladsome spring:

looking-glass,

shall be my

prayer-book,
now,

In which I will adore sweet virtue's face.

Here dwell no hateful looks,no palacecares,
fears ;
dwell here,nor pale-faced
No broken vows
Then here I'll sit,and sigh my hot love's folly,
And learn t' affect a holy melancholy :
And if contentment
be a stranger, then
I'llne'er look for it,but in heaven,again.
"

Ven.

Well, master, these

worthy to keep a

be

verses

room

I thank you for them ; and I thank

in every man's memory.
I will
which (God willing)
instructions,
you for your many
"
iv.
Confessions" (book
not forget.And
St. Austin, in his
as
for

lendinghim

there

troubles
both
I

of the

by

ought

so,

conversation

your

; because
from
the

enjoyedthemselves, free

and

world

Yerecundus,

companion a country house

and his

rested

they

of his friend

the kindness

chap.3)commemorates

had

having

the like

the art you

and

have

advantage,

taught me,

and
indeed,your company
useful and pleasant,
that,I may truly

to do the like ; for

ever

discourse have

been

so

say, I have onlylived since I enjoyedthem and turned angler,

and not before.
Nevertheless,here I must
part with jou,

happy as firstto
meet
you : but I shall long for the ninth of May ; for then
I hope againto enjoyyour beloved company, at the appointed
somniferous
time and place. And
I wish for some
now
here in this

now

placewhere

sad

potion,that might

force

to

me

so

was

sleepaway the intermitted

it does
as
me
as tediously,

time, which

will

with

I will make it as short as

nevertheless,
hopes and wishes. And, my good master, I will

men

can

not

in

by

my

sorrow

the
forget

doctrine which

that they should

scholars,
for

I will

worthy

men

advised

endeavour

you

me

to do

told

me

Socrates

honour

by
philosophy

to the like
so

; and

much

so

tuous
their vir-

concerningangling,

to live like those

many

in the former

of which

mention
you made
This is my firm resolution ; and

of your discourse.
advised his friend,that to
man

frequentchurches,and

taughthis

think to be honoured

not

to
as
beingphilosophers,

lives. You
and

with

pass away

view

as

part

pious

mortification he should

beget

monuments,

and

charnel-houses,

dead bodies time had

how many
and then and there consider,
I would
begetI
piledup at the gates of death: so when
content, and increase confidence in the power, and wisdom,!

^34j

angler.

complete

the

providenceof Almighty God, I will walk the

the
stream, and there contemplate
by some
gliding

meadows

land

take

no

other various littleliving

those very many
knows
not only created but fed,man
not

and

care,

creatures,that

liliesthat

are

of nature, and therefore

This is my purpose ; and so, let everything
trust in him.
of
that hath breath praisethe Lord : and let the blessing

how, by the goodnessof the God

be with

St. Peter's master

And

Pisc.
L
"^

all that

upon

and
providence,

in his

"Study

-W.^,

mine.

to

lovers of

are

be

and
quiet,

be

quiet."

virtue,and dare

a-angling.

go

1 Thess. iv. 11.

"

contains a
chapter of Walton
[The concluding
and for the colouring
of both
for making of a line,
directions
modern

of

are

winch^ nor

value

no

make

and discoloured waters.

to the

sell them

who

they are

Walton's

now.
a

Winch-lines

of
proprietors

retailed to the

public.

few brief

lines would

neither

of uniform

These

suit the

fishingin flooded

These

now

made

lines

either twisted

are

parts of them

no
by means
part or
togetherby tyingor knotting. They are uniformlysmooth

length,and

directions

by professedmakers,
shops,and by the latter
fishing-tackle
are

of hand-machines, and

their

"

rod and line."

line,exceptfor

x^roper foot

trust

or

plaited

are
joined
throughout

which taper
-lines,
thickness,
exceptwinch fly

end, and sometimes in the direction of both ends. T am not

taperinglines,except to taper foot ones, and winch-lines
for salmon and trout, as now
The
made, run off to too fine an end.
of
them
than
the
are
taperingpoints
lighter
gut,foot,or casting-line,
and hence they are an obstacle to throwing to a long distance,and cannot
towards

one

favourable

to

be

at all againstthe wind.

Lines for bottom fishing
propelled
may
of twisted silk,and to preserve them from the destructive
be made solely
and rain,they should be steepedfor a short time in a
effects of water
mixture of the best oil and varnish.
for
whether
Lines for fly-fishing,
trout or salmon, should be made
of plaitedsilk and hair,and if they
all
at
it
should
be
taper
very slightly.
They cannot be plaitedtoo
consist
and
should
of one-third sound picked horsehair,
they
closely,
and two-thirds best silk. The best are manufactm-ed
by a man named
in
all
and
the great tackle-makers sell them.
If you
London,
Dodge,
wish to preserve your lines from rotting,
allow them when wet to
never
drycoiled up on your winch, but, the moment
fishing,
you return from

uncoil all the wetted

of

chairs,or

action of air

let them
or

parts of lines,and wind them thinlyon

fall in large coils on
any clean spot on

and

to have

been unknown

in fishing
with
theymanaged,particularly

bing with
how

They

the natural

they

must

wliiclithe

heat will reach them.

Winches, reels,or pirnsseem

How

the backs

time.
dib-

lengthenand shorten line is a mystery ;

one,
successfully
play a large fish is incomprehensible.
vised thumb-winders, or very likely
a
piece of stick

could

have

in Walton's

the artificialfly,
or

to

285

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

fastened to the butt, at some

distance from its base,cross-wise.
On this
stick the line may be wound, just as boys when
wind
their
kite-flying
and
strings;
but

more,

and

"

it may
not with

suiScient

Fairservice.

by

by hand
or
rapidity

^vhen

uncoiled

metropolitanmade

to

all others

to

be

ease.

playinga fish,or wanting

The

best London

winches

tured
givethe preference are manufacand
to
opposed multiplying-wdnches, prefer
ones

am

"

stiffcheck one, particularly

for salmonplain,somewhat
rattle
of
its
the
fish rattles
as
checks,
pleasant
stiffnessis of great service in keeping the line taut as you

fishing.I like to hear the

and its

away,

play

fish.

The

clicking,
by

its

frequencyor otherwise,tells you

at

what pace your fish is going,and givesyou a notion when you should
follow him, or attempt to stop him, to bear upon him, and to work
him
Eeels of free check, or
towards land.
click,should be used for ]3ikeand
fishing,
their

for all fish that

to do

run

partlytaut

or

Of

the

run

to their

lairs to

not meet wdth any

but
should be a])leto swim, away
line,
so

they should

pouch their baits. In

impediment from a taut

making

and

material

and

his instructions about

are

not

of rods.Father

with

loosened reins.

Walton

says nothing,
be followed.
Rods

paintingthem should
painted. They are stained and washed with varnish. I
shall name
the lengthswhich
rods for different sorts of fishingshould
reach, the material they should be made of,and a few of
respectively
their component qualities.
A

now

for
single-handed
fly-rod

great care,
from

not

and

of the best and

ten to twelve-and-a-half

trout

and

graylingshould

longestseasoned
length. The

feet in

be made

with

wood.

It should vary
shorter rod for narrow,
with more
be worked

brightrivers,as it carries fine tackle best,and can

casts
neater and lighter
make
ease, and consequently

longerrod is
suited for broad and deep trout streams, where
stout tackle and large
flies are
the long line,and
must
where
throw
the
angler
necessary ;
where he will have to cope with largefish. Indeed, with a well-balanced
twelve-foot-and-a-half fly-rod,
of elastic and well-seasoned wood,
made
It is the
throw the lightest
a proficient
can
as well as the heaviest line.
eleven
rod 1 would recommend
-rod
of
A
to the adult anglingadept.
fly
and
feet has the average length,
suit young
and will not inconveniently
and
made
be
should
old,
Fly-rods
moderatelyweak and strong hands.
ash for butts,
of the following
materials
best grainedand long-seasoned
thick and small pieces(second
best
and third joints)
hickory,tops a foot
If one
of lance-wood,and thence to the extreme
cane.
pointsbamboo
the
than
the
rod
wood
of
seasoned
be made
that is,less
of newer,
piece
others,there will be too much dead play in that piece,and the rod will
the
therefore want
balance and be defective. If the pieces,
particularly
be heavier or weaker
do not taper justly,
small and the top pieces,
or
than
in undue
the thick piece and butt, then the rod will be
proportion
of each piece should
and good for nothing. The
top-heavy,''
fittings
the inside,
on
be most carefully
adapted" the ferules smoothlypolished
A firstbrased.
and the tonguesand shoulders should be most carefully
and
half.
a
than
be
a
less
trout
cannot
guinea
rate
fly-rod
bought for
;

the

"

"

the sahnon
rod
should be sixteen feet in length,
fly-rod
grilse
and
for
in
and
tall
and
for
great
rare
strong men,
cases,
eighteen,
very

The

236

feet,and

seventeen-and-a-half

and have
grilse,
lightergrilsewinches
and

sea-trout
for the

be

twenty

with

it I

large fish, the length may

rivers and

lengthis

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

and

favourite

My

fish for
pleasantly

can

biggestsalmon, substituting

fear of the

no

feet.

lines,larger and

In former

salmon

stouter

salmon, like the trout rod, should consist of four

wood of similar sorts and qualities.Its balance should
The

ones.

of

pieces,made
be

I
writings,

just,and all
suggestedthe

most
executed.
carefully
fittings
should
be no spare top
in
salmon-rods.
There
followingimprovement
for trolling
or
spinning,but merely a spare flytop,which should be of
into wedge-shaped]pieces.The original
bamboo
rent longitudinally
cane

its

positionof

these

be altered,so

piecesshould

defective ones, to reverse

of the top-joint. The

stronglytogetherfor a day or
and tapered,stronglywhipped
taper to a fine point,and their
of hollowed

Such
over

last

tackle of

more

tied

be rounded

tops should

not

be of brass wire, but

like the

for heavy work

spare top should be reserved
which there are rocks and
trees, renderingthe
and
difiicult,
ordinarily

then

Salmon-rod

in

than

more

w^hole should

ringed.

then

glued in, and

ring should not

steel,projecting
upwards

smooth

and

The

two.
and

first

be

piecesshould

sound partsto
oppose
elastic action in all sides

to

as

to have

grain,and

the

other

rings.

rivers,in and

playing of a fish
common
strength

than

necessary.
should
Trolling-rods
than

more

fifteen.

not be

They

longerthan

should

be

eleven feet ;

of

the

spinningones

materials

same

as

not

those

is given to East India mottled or

preferencenow
the
piecesexcept
cane,
top one, and that should be of
and
lance-wood
should be
The piecesof the trolling-rod
bamboo-cane.
with
few
and
The
a
piecesof the
uprightrings.
very stout,
very large
should be moderatelystout
spinning-rod
something between those of
the trolling-rod
and the larger
trout fly-rod and they should be ringed
with middle-sized uprightrings,and should be tolerably
elastic.
The roach-rod
should be, for bank-fishing,
eighteen or twenty feet in
All
its
duras
of
should
be
white Spanish or Honthe
length.
pieces
lightest
should be fine and lightand elastic
cane, except the top,which
The

alreadynamed.

burnt

for all the

"

"

and

of bamboo-cane.

same

material,but

The
not

more

roach-rod
than

for

twelve

should
boat-fishing
feet

be

of the

long.

for bank-fishing
should be sixteen feet in
ordinarybottom-rod
and
of
It
bamboo.
resemble a grilse
should
rod,
flylength, ash,hickory,
but be a littleless "whippy''or elastic. The boat bottom-rod
for barbel,
The

rials
matechub, "c., should be eleven or twelve feet in length,of the same
but of stouter and stifferbuild.
I am
not favourable to
as the last,
what
called
are
general rods," or
walkmg-cane rods, and therefore
shall say nothing further
The trout and salmon

made

Blacker.

"

"

"

The

about

them.

rods,and

trout

flies I fish with,

and salmon

are

purchaser,however, must
try conclusions,"as
that is,make
experiments;
chapter on barbel fishing,
I
at
conclusions
his
and in selecting
angUng apparatus, advise that he try
the following
largelystocked angling arsenals : to wit, those of Messrs.
Aldred, Oxford- street ; Anderson,
Alfred,Moorgate-street
; Ainge and

Walton

by

says in his

"

Long

Acre;

Temple-bar;
Earlow,

Little,

Jones,

to

H.R.H.

and

Prince

low,

last,

END

OF

THE

FIRST

Strand;

J.

Marylebone-street,
but

Albert,

PART.

Bell-yard,

121,

Great

"Ed.]

TUE

Bowness,

Far

Gould,

Jennyn-street

rod-maker

Piccadilly
Charles

London-bridge;

Crooked-lane,

Giles

-place,

Oxford-street;

Cheek,

Cavendish-square;
least,

Church

Barnard,

237

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

by
15,

no

means

Fetter-lane.

THE

COMPLETE

ANGLER.

PART

BEING

HOW

TO

ANGLE

Qui

INSTEUCTIONS

FOU

IN

milii
Et

non

faerit

11.

CLEAR

TEGUT

GEAYLING

OR

STREAM.

credit, faciat

scriptis sequior

licet

ipse perielum

ille nicis.

TO

mr

Mr.

IZAAK

AND

TATHKR

WOETHT

MOST

PBIEND,

ELDER.

THE

WALTON,

pleased, some
past, to grant me
years
your free leave to do
retract
promise when
attempted; and observing you never
any
friends ; I accordingly expect to see these following
meanest
in favour of your
made
better and
more
particular directions for the taking of a trout, to wait upon
your
general rules for all sorts of angling. And though mine be neither so perfect,so well
indeed
as
handsomely couch'd
they might have been, in so long a
so
digested, nor
to be generally true :
time
leave was
since your
granted, yet I dare affirm them
as
and they liad appeared too in something a neater
dress,but that 1 was surprised with
of your
edition
the sudden
of a sudden
new
Complete Angler ;" so that,having
news
than
to turn
ten days' time
little more
in, and rub up my memory
me
(for,in truth, I
almost
often
have not, in all this long time, though I have often thought on't,and
as
the instant, to scribble what
to go presently about
I
resolved
forced,upon
it),I was
I have
to accommodate
to your own
also endeavoured
method.
here present you: which
stand,
And, if mine ]3e clear enough for the honest brothers of the angle readily to underis the only thing I aim
which
end, and shaU need to make
at, then I have my
master
of any such
further apology ; a writing of this kind not requiring, if I were
no
it ; so that if you, in your
better
thing, any eloquence to set it off,and recommend
judgment, or kindness rather, can allow it passable for a thing of this nature, you will
if the cypher fixed and carved in the front of my little fishingdo me
then
the honour
in public, who, in
to attend
house, may be here explained : and to permit me
you
private have ever been, am, and ever resolve to be.
Sir,
and
Your
most affectionate son
Beresford,
servant,
CHARLES
10th of March, 1675-6.
COTTON.
Being

SiE,
"

what

have

you

were

here

"

TO

MX

MOST

CHARLES

Sir,
*'

"

You

now

see

I have

returned

HONOUEED

FEIEND,

you

your

of

Fly-fishing,"printed just as it was

desires,as 1 o endure all the praises you

Art

The

Esq.

COTTON,

very
sent

pleasant and' useful discourse

me

; for I

have

been

so

of

obedient

to fix upon
in it.
have
ventured
to your
me
I have thanked
for them, as the effects of an undissembled
when
And
love,then,
you
let me
tell you, sir,that I will readily endeavour
to live up to the character
have
you
other
no
given of me, if there were
yet for this alone, that you, that love me
reason,
so
well, and always think what you speak, may not, for my sake, suffer by a mistake

judgment.
to filla part of your
of paraphrase for
And, sir,I have ventured
margin, by way
both
the reader's
clearer understanding the situation
of your fishing-house,and
the
also to give him
of
a "Copy
pleasantness of that you dwell in. And I have ventured
that you were
Verses"
pleased to send me, now
some
see
past, in which he may
years
of your own
mind
so much
a good picture of both
too, as will make
; and
any reader,
that is blessed with a generous
1 confess,that
for doing
soul, to love you the better.
this you may
too bold : if you
mute
justly judge me
do, 1 will say so too ; and so far comfor my
than
from
hundred
miles
offence, that, though I be more
a
you,
and in the eighty-third year
of my
month
the next
age, yet I will forget both, and
die in your
begin a pilgrimage to beg your pardon; for I would
favour, and till
then will live,
Sir,
in your

London,

April2%lQ7Q,

Your

most
affectionate father and
WALTON.
IZAAK

friend,

CHABLES

SKETCH

Cotton

Chaeles
His

father

of

OOiTOiT.

OF

was

COTTON'S

LIFE.

birth

country gentleman by

education.

and

high Hampshire family,his mother, daughter of

Sir J. Stanhope, of Elvaston, Derbyshire,
of a still higher,
for she was
to the Earls of Chesterfield and Harrington.
nearlyrelated by consanguinity
He

was

born

was

AValton, who,

by

Cambridge.
He
"

seems

and

in

1630,

before

as

born

then

cultivated the

to the

"

an

to

not

younger

first he

At

no

the

but
accomplished

was

than

cated
edu-

University

the

at least he took

merely

muses

paternalhome

in 1593.

transferred

gained no honours, or,

to have

returned

and

thirty-seven
years

was

stated,was

private tutor,
He

and

of

degreesthere.
severiores

musce

not

profound

scholar.

By

virtue

of his mother's

his f^ither became

title,

situated between
ford Hall, delightfully

the

Peak, and close by the

Dove

graylingstream
resided

in

under

the
the

banks

of the

empire.

Here

familyroof.
Q

romantic
"

young

then

possessor

of Beres-

Dovedale
the

best

and

the

trout

and

Cotton, having

Dwelling whilst

young

no

and

fession,
pro-

aged

242
wifhin

March-brown
became

if he

the

did ; and

one

trout

before his father's death

Long

afterwards release himself.

was

On

love-match

"

wrote

he

thoughthe
Angler" by

he

he

became

could

never

sole possessor

It would

that his time

appear

travestie.

His works

for bread.

wrote

are

and

numerous,

very

In 1653, the firstedition of" The

Walton

Walton

beseeched

did

called father

this

which

adopt him,

to

Cotton

the

friendshipbecome,
the latter

of his

honour

had

Cotton

river Dove,

part of

fullythe art of

the

fishingeither with
of

methods

the various

with

the

natural

the

making

in the short

written

which

for his son,

Complete Angler,"and

"

latter to

therein
or

latter

of ten

book,

the

as

days,and

with the fifth edition of the first part in the year 1676

this edition that

we

Cotton died in 1687

and
literary
conjoint
Cotton

had

married

though she had

tended

merely

to

Still the estate

was

then

space

been considered

and Walton

second

in

jointureof "1500
never

largefarm-house

; the

one
so

the

eleven

years,

tenant

life

but

means,
saw

author

first
;

also

and

came

ever

It is the text of

their
surviving
the latter

seven.

and
Dowager Ardglass,

a-year, the

We

lengthily.

Countess

narrow

forfeited.

book.

1683; the former

wife, the

alleviate his

as

annotate

labours
piscatorial
a

and

explain more

abroad

reprint,and

Anglers.

artificialfly,
as

an

the

to

us, was

partshave

forward
thence-

tioned,
alreadymenthe writingof

assures

since the two

Cotton

circumstances,togetherwith

Cotton

doubtless the inducements

were

Hall, between

These

of Mr.

Walton

bottom-

granted,and
of

(seeinfra^p. 260),in
fishing-house

piscatorial
parent.

adoption by

second

erected

then

that

recognisedfather

now

paid frequentvisits to Beresford

Walton

formal

ardent

So

fisher of the Lea.

it is

Complete

appeared,and hence arose an intimacyand

the fly-fisher
of the Dove
between
and the
lastingfriendship

It

He

and poetry,the latter consisting

of translations
occupiedwith fly-fishing
from well-known
poets,Virgilamongst the rest, of whose
foreign

^neid

at

apparently,

which

his father's death

up in interest !

swallowed

was

married

the

Hall,but, alas,he had deeplymortgaged the property,

of Beresford
rental

he

pecuniarydifficultiesfrom

in

for it involved him

and

streams
limpidand picturesque

of the most

bounding in it and graylingrisingrapidlyat

is it to be wondered
as it float^^dalong,
or the May-fly,
would
be if he had not.
The wonder
?
a
fly-fisher
of his day.
most accomplished
one

England,with

in

of

stone's-throw

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

use

not

Beresford

of that
remove

Hall

sum

them.
in 1838.

elderlylady. On her
decease the late Marquis of Beresford
purchased it, and has improved
of course, the celebrated fishingthe place considerably,
preserving,
house with its immortal
inscriptionSaceijm Piscatoeibijs.
was

"

an

islaa:

THE

Harr.

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

PAET

THE

SECOND.

CHAPTER
PiSCATOR

I.
YlATOR.

AND

JUNIOR,

[JFirst"ap.]
Pisc.
bold

as

YiAT.

You
to

are

happilyovertaken, sir ;

inquirehow

Yes

sure,

far you

may

travel this way

man

be

so

questionI
knowing myselfhow far

sir,very freely,
though

it be

very well resolve you, as not

it is to Asliborn,where
I intend to-night
to take up my inn.
Pisc. Why then,sir,
seeingI perceiveyou to be a stranger

cannot

in these

you, that from

it is five
through,called Brelsford,^^

parts,I shall take upon

you last came

miles ; and you are not
YiAT.
So much
?
I
the town

yet above

Derby; and, methinks,I

*

Now

brook

was

spelt
once

"

Brailsford."

told

was

It

is

half
it

rode

have

celebrated for its trout.

to inform

me

mere

I cannot

was

mile

on

this side.

but ten

almost

so

fkv

miles from

already.

village. Brailsford
-Ed.
speak highly of it now."

road-side

244

THE

Pisc.
which

find
sir,

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

fault with

no

Derbyshireabounds

of

largemeasure

in,

as

much

good land,
counties of

most

as

England.
ViAT.

good land, I confess,affords

pleasant
prospect: but, by your good leave,sir,largemeasure
of foul way is not altogether
so
acceptable.
It may

Pisc.

True,

be

so

; and

the

to justify
foul way
the
serves
of the soil,
fertility
accordingto the proverb,''There is good

land

there is foul way ;"and is of

of the riches of the country you are
where

you
its continual
from

sir ; but

travel and

which

horses you

into,and

come

country town

observable

is also very

the loaden

road, and

traffic to the

to inform

good use

the

came

you

fulness of its

by
everywhere

meet

of

wpon

the

way.

YiAT.

Well, sir,I

to think

will be content

well of your
great deal of

as

desire ; and I shall have a

both to think and to speakvery well of you, if I may
reason
obtain the happinessof your company
to the fore-mentioned

country as

would

you

place,
providedyour affairs lead you that way, and that they
will permit you to slack your pace, out of complacencyto a
traveller utterly
and who am
stillto
a strangerin these parts,
wander

further out

Pisc.

of my
invite me

Sir,you

knowledge.

own

advantage,and I am.
ready to attend you, my way lyingthrough that town ; but
that is,my home, some
miles beyond it : however,
my business,
I shall have time enough to lodgeyou in your quarters,
and
afterward
to performmy
own
journey. In the mean
I be so bold
to inquire the
of your
end
as
time, may
journey
YiAT.
of

concern

not

use

to my

own

sir ;
Lancashire,

'Tis into
to
to

relation of mine

of

long journeysas
pleasure.

thence,sir! I do

From

not

about

; for I

take such

singleaccount
Pisc.

near

and

from

business

some

you, I do
the
upon

assure

Essex

then wonder

you

should

dissatisfied with the lengthof the miles, and the

appear
foulness of the way : though I am
sorry you should begin to
quarrelwith them so soon ; for,believe me, sir,you will find
the

miles much

come

to your

ViAT.
the worst

; but

You

the way

much

worse,

before you

end.
journey's

Why

good fortune
Pisc.

longer,and
truly,sir !

methinks

for that I

the way

am

preparedto expect

is mended

to fall into your good company.

not
are
obligedto my company

since I had

for

the

that,but

because

already
past the worst, and

are

you

of your way to your lodging.

ViAT. T am
very glad to hear
and

freer

enjoyment of

will,I fear,make
is not worth
Pisc. That, sir,

of the way
deserve

much

better for

But

have

lose it the

me

being

for,from
sandy hill,you have but three

in them

trouts

Pisc.

That

stranger,

as

is

you
a kind

of

am

sure

you

ill company.

so

think

of them
I

enamoured

it,as

might live in it

I have

love with

and

you;

country by this

for you

the best
with

met

excused

in

in England.
degrees,

know

must

but

sport :

upon

this

this way,

most

give me

you

at least that I

or
a

am

shall be

now

account

angle,and, doubtless,a trout affords the

anglerof any sort of fish whatever ; and
needs make

they

all full of trouts,and

they are
it
is
said,by many
best,

myself a Derbyshire man,

:

have

for,next, if not before,our

for you are
to understand, that
fine rivers,
and brooks,
rivulets,

coal ;

of your

to wish

be famous

first,
sir,in

was

be

is to

as
many
whatever ; and

the

these little

leave to tell you, it

: otherwise,give
of affront to our country,to make
a doubt

have

we

country

any

to Ashborn.

miles

me

pretendto

we

ViAT.
so

and

with

content

questionwhich

malt, wool, lead,and

some

sooner.

are

seem

of what

as

the shortness

everywhere in this country,with

full of fish
they look as if they were

brooks ; and

we

myself

expect a

I meet,

YiAT.

would

care

your

then

though

of

alreadytalked away two miles of your journey;

the brook before us, that runs
at the foot of this

we

not

greatestpart
ease

I may

conversation

your

the

it,both for the

because
especially,

horse ; but

my

24^5

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

pretenderto
pleasureto

the best trouts

brook, and

the
the

must

others

some

too full of w^ood for that

are

recreation.
Pisc.
you

This, sir

have

scarce

passed,and

any

name
as

hinder

angler,as

beautiful

that

some

amongst

rivers,and
an

clear from

us

show

any

none

you

but

wood, or

any

other
saw

nor

like
to

show

can

itself,
by

such

like

are

we

ever

you

streams, Hantshire

good leave,can

several others

why this,and

Mr.

I think

it,which

pass, have
you as fine

incumbrance
and

for

to

clear,

Izaak

Walton's

any

country in

Europe.*
*
This
certain
praise will not hold good now.
Apart from
preserved
tainly
portions of the Dove, the other Derbyshire rivers are not first rate.
Tliey certhe
to
well-known
clear
difficult
are
and
are
;
fly-fish
streams,
pretty
very
Lathkil, on account of its extreme
limpidness,the most difficult of all. The

24i6

in the praise
of your country rivers,
go far,sir,
'"
I perceive
have read Mr. Walton's
CompleteAngler,"

YiAT.
and

by

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

You

naming

your

opinionof that book 1

Pisc. My opinionof

Walton's

Mr.

what

pray

book

anything of

that understands

every man's
that it is an

j and

of Hantshire

is the

is your
with

same

the art of

angling,

good one, and that the fore-mentioned

as
gentleman understands as much of iish,and fishing,
any
I
that
must
tell
I
have
the
but
further,
man
:
living
you
excellent

his person, and to be intimately

acquainted
the worthiest man, and to enjoy
with him, and in him to know
had ; nay, I shall
the best,and the truest friend any man
ever
know

to
happiness

that he givesme
yet acquaintyou further,
Father, and I hope is not yet ashamed

leave to call him

to

own

for his

me

adopted Son.
YiAT.
of Mr.

ravished to meet
In earnest,sir,I am
that does him
Izaak Walton's,and one

with

friend

much

so

right

character ; for I must boast to you,

a
good
that I have the good fortune to know
him too, and came
I do with
manner
acquaintedwith him much after tlie same
in

and

so

you

; that he

and
angling,
you, I

was

first

taught

angler; and
decipheredin his

man

very

of Yenator

name

Master, who

my

then to become

the

am

true

; for I

an

to

me

to be

love

plainwith

book

under

the

wholly addicted to the chace,

quiet,innocent,and less
good,a more

till he

taught me as
dangerousdiversion,

was

Pisc.

and
Sir,I think myselfhappy in your acquaintance,
before we jDartshall entreat leave to embrace
you ; you have
said

to recommend

enough

father Walton
not

will be
likes

like,and

honest

but

none

; which

men

seen

is

one

of the best testimonies

trout of this brook

through
from

The

the Earl

Ashbourn,

streams

are

such

as

best

opinion:

man's company
he believes to

of the best

arguments,

or

for my

he does
be very
at least

have,that

I either am, or that he

of those,seeingI have not yet found him

thinks me, one

weary of me.

flavoured.

you to my
twice in no

the most

are

Wye,

near

of Leicester's
are

favourite

far better than

in the country, but not the best

highly-coloured
Hall, and Longford-brook,ruuning by and
and demesne
seat
six miles
of Longford, about

Haddon

streams

those

of

mine.

The

of Derbyshire, and

Scotch
so

are

some

and

Irish

trout

in Northumberland,

Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire,Devonshire,

two
Middlesex.
in Surrey and
or
Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, and one
The
Driffield,in Yorkshire, and the Test, in Hampshire, are better angling
rivers than

the Dove.

"

Ed.

247

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

speaklike a true friend,and in doingso render

worthy of liisfriendship.May I be so bold as to
yourself
YiAT.

You

ask your name

Pisc. Yes

sir,and
surely,

and

is

name

; my

if you

I intend

if I find you do not

company,
In the meantime, because
too.

Ashborn, I

nicer question

stay longenough
dislike mine, to ask
to

in your
yours

much

pleasea

are

we

almost

now

at

shall

a
freelyand bluntlytell you, that I am
brother
of the angle,
can
too, and, peradventure,
give you
instructions how to angle for a trout in a clear river,
some

that my father Walton himself will not disapprove,

thoughhe
did either purposelyomit, or did not remember
them,* when
and

you

part

he sat

under
discoursing

84.] And, being

i. p.

the

sycamore
[seeing]
you have

[See

tree.

alreadytold

whither

better
your journey is intended,and that I am
and
acquaintedwith the country than you are ; I will heartily
me

earnestlyentreat
but go on
shall be

think

of

this town,
house,twhere you

stayingat

me

entertainment,you
as

will not

six miles farther to my

in your way, we
extremelywelcome ; it is directly
day enoughto performour journey,and, as you like your

have

with

you

more

many

as

the trouble of

there repose yourself

a day or two, or
occasions will permit,
to recompense

may

your
much

longerjourney.
invitation
with so friendly
an
me
Sir,you surprise
it
but how advantageous
soever
upon so short acquaintance;
is not so great
would
be to me, and that my haste,perhaps,
with such a divertisement as I promise
but it might dispense
so

YiAT.

yet I cannot, in modesty, accept

company,
therefore beg your pardon : I could
must
your
otherwise,I confess,be glad to wait upon you, if upon no
but to talk of Mr. I. Walton, and to receive
other account

myself in

your
offer,and

those instructions you

deceivinga
have

though
hard

; in which

trout

ambition

an

say you

I cannot

be

to

forbear

to say much

art
one

I will
of

give me for the

not deny but that I
greatestdeceivers :

able to
the

tell you, that I tliink it

has been read to me
upon that

freelyto

than

more

are

subject.
"

in

angling for

did not understand

plain truth is,that Walton
knew
clear stream," viz.,fly-fishing
for it. Cotton
The

"

trout

this well, but was

to say so bluntly. Ed.

In 1838 it was
t Beresford-hall,situate a little to the north of Dovedale.
Between
Beresford.
of
and
the
of
the
farm-house,
Marquis
property
large
much

and

of

courteous

"

cavalier"

the river side is Cotton's

too

"

stillstanding.
fishing-house
"

Ed.

it

248

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

know that
I grant that,too ; but you must
Well, sir,
ever,
the varietyof rivers requiredifferent ways of angling: howable to give,and I
you shall have the best rules I am
will tell you nothing I have not made myselfas certain of,as
be in a thirtyyears'experience(for
so
can
long I
any man
have been a dabbler in that art); and that,if you pleaseto
made
see
stay a few days,you shall,in a very great measure,
Pisc.

good to

mistaken, I

not

wholly conquer
to be

which,that

hereafter ; and

sir,if I

now,

am

you ; and that I may

that modesty of yours, I will take upon me

familiar

so

of that

But

you.

you

half

have

overcome

invitation,
easilybe persuadedto do, T
must

to say, you

as

the

may

more

accept

my

will tell you that my house stands upon the margin of one
of
in England ; that I have
the finest rivers for trout and grayling

built
lately

littlefishing-house
upon

the door of which

over

father Walton's

name

it,dedicated

to

anglers,

you will see the two firstletters of my

title
and mine twisted in cipher[see

bed he has
; that you shall lie in the same
jjage to Part IT.]
sometimes
tainment
been contented with,and have such country enteras

friends sometimes

my

too, as the best friend of them

ViAT.
reason

doubt, sir,but

to be satisfied with

for you
so

No
who

so

my

Walton

master

as

welcome,

foimd

good

his entertainment

so

in your house ;
who deserves
stranger,
and

free to him

who

much.

Pisc. Believe me, no : and such as are

with that gentleman know
him to be
endure

be

all.

to a mere
friendly
needs be exceedingkind

are

must
little,

deserves

accept,and

to be treated like

intimately
acquainted
a

man

who

will not

stranger. So that his acceptation

of my
own
we

has ever
been a pure effect of his
poor entertainment
and nothingelse. But, sir,
humilityand good-nature,
now
are
Hill,into the town ; and
going down*" the Spittle

therefore let me

and (most
importuneyou suddenlyto resolve,
not to deny me.
earnestly)
I am so overcome
YiAT. In truth,sir,
by your bounty,that
I find I cannot, but must render myselfwhollyto be disposed
of

by you.
Pisc. Why,

thank
heartily
*

The

that's
you.

"Adown
thy vale,romantic Ashbourn, glides.
with its six insides."
The Derby dilly,

reader will
political
Lord Stanley,

the then

and kindlyspoken, and I as

heartily
And, being[seeing]
you have abandoned

"

recollect this quotation

Ed.

by O'Connell,and

applied to

yourselfto

249

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

conduct,we will only call and drink a glasson

horseback at the Talbot,and away.
ViAT.
But what
I attend you.
pretty river is this,thafc
my

under

runs

Pisc.
and

it is called Henmore

Yes,

you will meet

grayling
; but

And

so

soon

by

as

such

time tillyou

we

discourse

We

can

delightedthan
Pisc.

if you

Pisc.
than
a

What

Nay, I

one

or

better

two

will

pass

anon.

vour,
endeathe

away

HALL.

I shall be

which

am

for

more

You

in the

worse

con^e

now

are

we

drink, sir,ale,or wine 1

for the country liquor,
Derbyshireale,
from
should not, methinks, come
man

wine

are

angling.
then ; but
subjects,

in the Peak.

right;

French

and

'

yet,let

wine

in many
at this house.

and

now,

called Shoo-brook,without
or
a trout
running water, in which tlie little boys
Ed.
angling career by fishingfor minnows.
*

has in itboth trout

nothingwith

they have sometimes

flagonof your best ale ;

ditch

and

will you

to drink

drink

may

talk of

Let those be the

please;

London

with

name

of rivers and

to the Talbot.

ViAT.

best likes you, to

ill quarters.

as

to your

come

it

past through the town, I

are

ASHBORN

YiAT.

Has

bridge?

this stone

taverns

sir,
my

in
ho

What

London,

! bringus

service to you,

Now

grayling

of

of Ashbourn

"

tell you, you

me

in

it.

'Tis

commence

mere

their

250

good health

to the honest

welcome

are

YiAT.

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

know

gentleman you

I thank

Pisc. ril
farewell.

you

into the Peak.

you, sir,and present you my

to all the honest brothers of the angle.

and

of,and

pledgeyou,

Come, sir,let

and

I would

will

see

have
odd

an

again,

ale,and
so, there's for your
be going,for the sun
grows low,

sir
us

look

you

service

you as you ride ; for you

strange
sightsthat will seem

about

country,and

to you.

II.

CHAPTER

Pisc.

So,sir,now

of town,

look

have

we

about

got

tell

and

you,

to

the

top of the hill

me

how

out

like the

you

country.
YiAT.

Bless me,

in Wales

what

mountains

are

Are

here !

not

we

Pisc.

'No,but in almost as mountainous a country ; and yet

hiDsythough high,bleak,and craggy, breed and feed

these

good beef

and

mutton, above

ground,and

afford

good store

of

lead within.

ViAT.
amends
over

any

They

had

need

of all those commodities

for the ill landskip

; but I
of

these,for I dread

Pisc. Believe

hope our

way

to

make

does not lie

precipice.

does,and down one, especially,

littleterrible to a stranger: thoughthe way

me,

that will appear a

is passable
enough,and

but

it

that we who are natives of

passable,
these mountains, and acquainted
with them, disdain to alight.
that a foreigner
to use
YiAT. I hope,though,
is privileged
his

own

so

and that I may

discretion,

have the

to
liberty

entrust

of my own
feet,rather than to those
my neck to the fidelity
of my horse,for I have no more
at home.
hard else. But in the meantime, I think
Pisc. 'Twere
'twere

best,while this way is pretty even, to mend our pace,

that we
may be past that hill I speak of; to the end your
to discern
apprehensionmay not be doubled,for want of light
the easiness of the descent.

YiAT.

am

to put forward
willing

as

fast as my

beast will

COMPLETE

THE

25]

ANGLER.

But
leave,though I fear nothingin your company.
what pretty river is this we
are
going into 1
Pisc. Why
and is full of
this,sir,is called Bently-brook,'"'

give me

in many

as
places,

YiAT.

Here

grayling
; but

and

good trout

very

are

is troublesome

country that ever

have in the country 1

it worth

I will

them
the

uov^

all ; and

the most
how

of them

many

not hard

they were

And

you.

wood

you

dalk.

trouble,but the

presentlyname

with

angler.

an

; do you know

saw

Off

ci'UAira

were

to

encumbered

and
rivers,
prettiest

the

in this

Pisc. I know

so

to

to

considerable

most

begin where

we

reckon,
of them

now

are,

for you must

know we are now
shire
upon the very skirts of Derbyhave
to
first
shall
the
river
we
that
come
we
;
Dove,
by and by, which divides the two counties of Derby and
Stafford for many
miles together; and is so called from the
swiftness of its current, and
of its course, and
declivity
betwixt

ones,

stream

narrow

which

miles

Two

grayling.
"

Ed.

can

cover

or

five

miles,confined

river that from

with

beyond Ashbourn,

by

the

by being so straitened in that

by which, and those very high

rocks ;
it is,hereabout,for four

course

very

the

that swiftness occasioned

and

my

into

tain,
founcontemptible

hat, by the confluence

still not

bad

stream

for trout

of

and

252

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

is swelled,before it
rivers,rivulets,
brooks, and rills,
falls into Trent, a littlebelow Eggington,where it loses the

other

to such

name,

breadth

and

places
frequentlyinterruptedwith

depth as

to

be

in

the passage
fords and weirs ; and has as fertile banks as
England, none
excepted. And this river,from
were
navigable,

mile

not

two, is

or

black water,

as

most

river in

any

its head

for

Derbyshire

all the rest of the

the
originally
are, for they all springfrom
tion
; but is in a few miles travel so clarified by the addiof several clear and very great springs,
biggerthan itself,

rivers of
mosses

which

note

gush

of the limestone

out

rocks,that

it comes

before

to

miles from its source,

house, wliich is but six or seven
will find it one of the purest crystalline
streams
you have

my
you

seen.'"'

YiAT.

parts1
Fisc. Yes, in these parts; not in this county, but somewhere
towards
1 think not far
the upper end of Staffordshire,
from a placecalled Trentham
down, not far
; and thence runs
from Staftbrd,
to Wolsly Bridge,
and, washing the skirts and
down
to Burton, in
purlieusof the forest of IN eedwood, runs
the same
into this,where
now
we
county ; thence it comes
Does

and

are,

at

Newark
the

springin

running by

Derwent

Wildon

these

Swarkston
;

and,

Dunnington, receives
Nottingham ; thence,to

and

so, to

and, by Gainsborough,to
of Humber,
name

where

Trent

it takes the

sea

Kingston-upon-Hull,
and

thence

falls into

that the map will best inform you.

Know
whence
this river Trent
derives
you

; but

ViAT.

its

name?
Pisc.

'No,indeed

; and

yet I have heard

it often discoursed

have given its denomination

some
upon : when
forenamed
rather
Trentham, though that seems
from

it ; others

that fall into

and

Between
swill

Peak."

have

said it is

so

called from

it,and there lose their

names

from
a

the

derivative

thirtyrivers

; which

cannot

Beresford-hall

torrents

Through

and Ashbourn
lies Dove-dale, whose
crested cliffs
in his
of the
AVonders
again noticed by i\Ir, Cotton
this singularlydeep valley the Dove
two
for about
runs
"

are

miles, changing its course, its motion,

less than
as
ten, and
rarelyso many
noise by rolling over
heaved
are
up

and

its appearance
perpetually; never
tinued
twenty yards in width ; making a con-

loose stones.
The
rocks which
falling among
with each
connected
piles,sometimes
other
and
detached
in
sometimes
some
others
natural
cavities,
perforated
;
adorned
witli foliage; with here
and
there a tall rock, having nothing to
relieve the bareness
but a mountain-asli
of its appearance
flourishing at the
H.
top. The grandeur of its scenery is probably unrivalled in England.
form

its sides

or

in

enormous

"

THE

be, neither,because
before

it caiTies that

from

name

rivers fall into

other

any

253

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

thirtyseveral sorts of fish that

the most
likelyderivation : but

it

from

breed

is

be

doubtless

of the finest rivers in the

one

aboundingwith

excellent

with
deliglited

this discourse.

its very

others

tain,
foun-

derive

there ; and

it how

it

it

that

will,it

world, and the

is

most

salmon,and all sorts of delicate fish/''*

into this digresYiAT. Pardon
sion
me, sir,for tempting you
I
then
other
f
or
and
to
am
rivers,
proceed your
;
mightily
Pisc.
:

It

but
interruption,
of our
is not only one

was

no

for Trent

the chief of

and

them,

of their names,

very

seasonable

all the rest pay

into which

tion
ques-

Derbyshirerivers,but
the tribute

had, perhaps,forgotto insist upon,

the other end of the county,had you not awoke

beinggot to

which

But I will now

proceed. And the next river
my
memory.
of note, for I will take them
as
they lie eastward from us, is
the river Wye ; I say of note, for we have two lesser betwixt
and Bradford
and it,namely, Lathkin
us
; of which Lathkin

is,by many
that I
is

degrees,the purest and

yet

ever

said,the

reddest
are

great springs.

The

Buxton, a

town

with

reason

to be

or

best

in

trouts

Wye, then, has

miles

ten
are

transparentstream
abroad, and breeds,it

to ride

better than

its source

near

hence, famous

through in

for
way

your

soon

very

river,and breeds admirable

those who, by livingupon

and

trout

its

banks, are

most

unto
warm

to Manchester

water, too, at the fountain,but,by the

Dove, becomes

but

England :

reputedrivers,being no

river

you

black

the

and

some

bath, and which

;

either at home

saw,

neither of these

most

same

clear
delicate,

reputedby
grayling,
the best
to it,
partial

*
There
salmon
in the Trent, now,
and not many
trout and grayling.
are
no
Its trout, though few, grow
to a large hize,sometimes,
but very rarely as large
those of the Thames.
It is an excellent river for pike, perch, barbel, chub,
as
and other coarse
fish. I do not think it produces thirty diflerent sorts offish.
Others
tliem.
named
not
]Many think tlie contrary, but have
specifically

maintain

that

thirty {trente) tributaries, and

description of English rivers,

it derives

its name
from
having
distich,in his well-known

that Milton's
agree
should be read
"

"

Or Trent, who
Its fMrty arms

of thirsty,the

instead

usual

like

reading.

graphical,or typographicalerror

"

earth-born

an

along
that

the indented

giant,spreads
meads,"

inclined

am

Milton

wrote

to

think

that thirstyis

thirty,and

was

thinking,

did so, of the earth-born

(son of Coelus and Terra) giant,Briareus, and
derives its
Walton
inclines to the opinion that the Trent
his hundred
arms.
from thirty different sorts offish found in it,and not because it is said to
name
when

he

have

thirty tributaries.

think

so,

nor

do

I either.

Milton, whether
"

Ed.

he wrote

thirstyor

thirty,did

not

254
of any

; and

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

by Ashford, Bake well,and

little lower, called Rowsly, falls into

this,running down

Hadden, at a town a
The next in order is
Derwent, and there loses its name/'^
Derv/ent,a black w^ater,too,and that not onlyfrom its fountaic,bnt quitethroughits progress, not having these crystal
springsto wash and cleanse it which the two fore-mentioned
such as they are,
have ; but abounds with trout and grayling,
towards

with

and

its source,

below

salmon

and

this

of the

river,

where

it
part
county,
springs,
taking its course
by Chatsworth, Darley,Matlock,
and
Awberson, falls into Trent at a place
Derby,Burrow-Ash,
The
called Wildon, and there loses its name.
east side of
this county of Derby is bounded
by littleinconsiderable rivers,
worth naming, but
as
Awber, Eroways,and the like,scarce
trouty,too ; and further we are not to enquire. But, sir,I

from

the

and

upper

utmost

have

carried you, as a man

are
may
say, by water, till we
of
told
to
formidable
hill
I
the
the
descent
now
come
you of,
which
I
the
river
cannot
at the foot of which
runs
Dove,
but

love above

to be

Sir,I

myself:

fortify
me, that I should not
you would
but I dare follow where
pleaseto lead
you
no
danger yet ; for the descent,me thinks,is

of the hill ; and now

What
do I think 1

the brow
YiAT.

placethat ever, sure, men

if there be any safetyat
I think

Pisc.

so

to lead

the way

you

are

Why

to
you come
what think you 1
there,

I think

horses went

the safest way

all,
too, for you, who are
these

down, I will

ride
frequently

wdien
presently,

we

and

acquaintedwith

beast not
and

yourself

prepare

see

me
; and I see
thus far green, even, and easy.
Pisc. You
will like it worse

therefore

littlefrighted.

ViAT.
shame

all the rest ; and

it the
down
is to

please,
my

upon

; and

alight,
too,to bear you

and,

that,

alight.

mounted

stones
slippery

if you

strangest

; and

though

company,
shall
man

horse.

lead your

*
By this it appears, that there are two rivers in England that bear the name
of the Wye
Wye, has, as well as the Severn, its head in the Plin; the former
limmon
hills,on the borders of Montgomery and Cardiganshires; from whence,
as

its Latin

it, near

name,

the

Hay,

Hereford, receives
and
small

Vaga, imports, wandering througlipart of Brecknockshire,

Herefordshire
at Mordiford, within
fom* miles of
; and
the Lug ; from
thence, passing on to Koss, it enters Monmouthshire,

enters

falls into the

species offish

called

Severn

below

last-springs
; and

Chepstow. It abounds
also with grayling. H.

[Note.
Last-springs"are in realitypure salmon-fry, and
species of fish. The Wye, where it passes Herefordshire
"

"

is a

good

salmon

river.

"

Ed.]

witli that

"

small

tinct
dis-

not

and

shire,
Monmouth-

255

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

shall

Marry, sir,and thank you, too : for I am afraid I

have enough to do to look to myself; and, with my

horse

in my

YiAT.

double

me

breakfear,both of ing
; for it is as steep

penthouse.

Pisc.

look down

To

the

but

be in

should

on
neck, and my horse's falling

my
as

hand

winds

path

it appears so, I confess;

turns, and will not be found so

from
and

hence

troublesome.
Would

YiAT.
there's

fair

one

stand !

well

were

! these
'scape

stones

yet again ! I think I

neck, and tumble

If you

Pisc.

down

were

though ! Hoist
I
are
so
slippery
best lay my heels

think

your heels will defend your

at the bottom
; bub giveme

now
you, sir,I am
"What's here the signof a bridge? Do

in this

Not

Pisc.

in my

that

your

hand

past.
past it,I can
you

use

go

myself.

to travel with

country
ever

neck,that

is

then the worst

I thank

wheelbarrows

cannot

down.

is the way to be soon

at this broad stone, and
ViAT.

thee !

sir.

saw,

do you

Why

ask

that

1
question

YiAT.
else ;

Because

why, a

this

mouse

can

was
bridgecertainly
it
:
hardlygo over

made

for

'tisnot two

nothing
fingers

broad.
Pisc.

and I am
pleasant,
gladto see you so : but
I have rid over
the bridgemany
a dark
night.
YiAT.
to
French
proverb,and 'tis a
Why, according the
and sound that
sense
good one among a great many of worse
language abounds in, Ce que Dieu garde, est Men garde,
"

You

are

God

whom

They

takes

care

of

are

in safe

:" but,
protection

it for a thousand
tell you, I would
not
ride over
pounds,nor fall off it for two ; and yet I think I dare venture
not by to laughat me, I should
on
foot,though if you were

let

me

do it

on

Pisc.
see

all fours.
safe

you

YiAT.
is not

over

How,
word

Pisc. You
order to
illmile
YiAT.

glad to
you, and I am
Staffordshire.
; and now
you are welcome into
Staffordshire ! What
do I there,trow ? there

Well, sir,your

becomes

of Staffordshire in all my
see
you are betrayedinto

somethingthat
or

mirth

will make

amends

of your way.
I believe all things,
sir,and
two

direction.
it,but it shall be
; and

'tis but

in
an

out

Dove
this your beloved river,
but a very little one.

doubt

'Tis clear and

nothing.

Is

indeed,
swift,

256
Pisc.

You

it here

see

again,after

anon

of these

more

Pisc.

No,

is not

see

your

we

no,

there

so

once

shall

we

and
riding,

were

but

to lie upon

as

near

it

to

come

have

hope we

Alps to pass over.

sir ; only this ascent

very uneasy,

and

before you, which you

with
quarrel
you will no more

then

way.

YiAT.

Well, if

ever

come

there,if he

man

in my
were
and write my

will sit down

printthem
hill

ANGLER.

the worst

at

miles

two

the very banks.

YiAT.
Would
no

COMPLETE

THE

we

at

came

Pisc.

We

YiAT.
I'll go

travels ;

Pjsc.

Coriate,'^'
call this

do you

Toot.

Hanson
Why, farewell,
miles about

twenty

question,I

"?

call it Hanson

sticks to my

wliat

many

and, like Tom

charge. Pray

own

my
down

which

London, of
would
make
place,
to

Toot ! Pll

first

Puh

no

! I sweat

thee

on

more

shirt

that my

back.

Come, sir,now

we

up the hill ; and

are

how

now

do

you?
YiAT.

well,I humbly thank you, sir ; and

have we
What
enough, I assure
here,a church
you.
I'm an
honest
a
man,
very pretty church ? Have
churches in this country,sir 1
*

Tom

Coriate

calls him,
to

Why,

him, and

travelled

lived in

the

the whetstone

was

almost

to the
over

reign of King

on

foot

of his character,

singularoddness

Europe

age

in that

and

are

"

as

he

tells his mother,

in

letter to her

in

"

He

miles

900

at Zurich.
Afterwards
he got mended
pair of shoes, which
Turkey, Persia, and the Great Mogul's dominions, travellingin

that

As

you

numberless.

walked

tour

First; and, as Wood

sions
and, indeed, the allu-

the

James

of all the wits of that

he

one

manner,

warm

very

so

with

visited

frugal

his ten

months'

travels, between

Aleppo and the Mogul's court, he spent but three pounds

w^ell for about
remarkably
sterling; living
twopence sterling a day; and of
he
ten
that three
less than
cozened
of no
was
pounds he elsewhere
says,
nation ; so that,
shillingssterlingby certain Christians of the Armenian
travels.
In these, his
indeed, he spent but fiftyshillingsin his ten months'
guages
lanHindostan
travels, he attained to great perfectionboth in the Persian and
and
the former, he made
pronounced an oration to the Great
; in

Mogul ; and his skill in the latter he

In the service
very signalinstance.
was

woman

took

occasion

to manifest

in the

following

of the

English ambassador, then resident,

of Hindostan. a laundress, whose
frequent practice it was to scold,
did Coriate
This formidable
shrew
rail,from
sunrising to sunset.

brawl, and
to scold with, in her own
one
day undertake
language ; and succeeded so well
of
the
in the
clock
in the morning, he had
totally
attempt, that, by eight
to speak.
silenced her, leaving her not a word
Further
it appears, that he was
and the
a zealous
champion for tlie Christian religion againsttlie Mahometans

Pagans,

in the

defence

whereof

he sometimes

risked

his

life.

died

He

of the

flux, occasioned
having published his
by drinking sack, at Surat, in 1G17:
Crudities ;" and to
European travels in a quarto volume, which he called his
"

this circumstance

the passage

in the text

is

manifest

allusion,

"

H.

COMPLETE

THE

Pisc. You

see

have

we

but

257

ANGLEE.

had

seen

you

why

noue,

that doubt ^ sir ?

should you make
be
ViAT. Why, if you will not

thoughtmyselfa stageor

angry, I'll tell you ; I

be3^ondChristendom.

two

we'll reconcile you

Come, come,
before w^e part with you,
Pisc.

if

to

country
good sport with

showing you

our

anglingwill do it.
My respectto

YiAT.

be

sir ; otherwise,to

you, and that together,

may do
plain with yon, I do not find

inclined that way.

Pisc. Well, sir,your

much,

myself

much

broughtus

has

of Dove

home

almost

againmet

raillery
upon

has

the foot of Penmen-

at

finer river here.

It is a much

mountains

river
; and look you where the same
to bid you welcome,and to invite
us

you to a dish of trouts to-morrow.

YiAT. Is this the same
we
saw

Maure

our

Pisc. It will appear yet much

finer to-morrow.
But look
here appears the house,that is now
like to be your
you, sir,
inn, for want of a better.

YiAT.

It appears

for ; it stands

on

sudden,but

and
prettily,

here's wood

young, as appears to be of your own

Pisc. It is so; will it pleaseyou

permitme.
arms,

my

YiAT.
am

after all your painsand

and to assure
you, that you
I thank

not

before 'twas looked

about

it too, but

planting.
to alight,
sir?

and

so

now

take you in
welcome.
infinitely

to
dangers,
are

sir,and am glad with all my heart

downrighttruth,I am exceedingwear}^
you,

here ; for,in
will
Pisc. You

sleepso much the better ; you shall presently

have a lightsupper, and to bed.
lay the
Come, sirs,
and let the gencloth,and bring what you have presently,
tleman's
father
in
bed be made
in
the
meantime,
ready
my
service
to you
Walton's chamber
and
h
ere
is
sir,
now,
;
my
and

once

more

YiAT.
me,

Ay

Pisc.

servants

bold with

as

your

meat, for the

trot has

good stomach.
Come, sir,fall to, then,you

always readywhen
of you.
YiAT.

sir,this glassof good sack has refreshed

marry,

I'll make

and

got me

welcome.

That
know

your
your

come

home

meal

is

; and

see

my

little supper is

I'llmake

no

stranger

ready is

a
sign your
I
I
confess
did not
certain hours,sir ;

expect it so soon ; but

myselfno stranger.

now

so

soon

'tishere,you shall see

E

I will make

258
Pisc.

Much

good do

word
friendly
within

ale

spitand

:
a

I thank

heart,and

you for that

service to you in a cup of
in the More-Lands,but

your

and

More-Lands

ANGLES.

COMPLETE

THE

sir,my
now,
for you are
now
stride of the Peak

; fillmy

friend his

YiAT.

Believe me, you have good ale in the

far better than that at Ashborn.'"
Pisc.

That

kind of
in

it may

for this

Come,
ale,and

take

bottle of

for Ashborn

riddle,
alwaysin it the best

t
England.

and

be

soon

and

away,
to

go

your

bring us

own

More-Lands,

has, which

malt, and

glass.

is

the worst

ale

pipes,

some

suppers.

Are

you

diet,sir 1

ViAT.

Yes, sir,I

yours is very
Pisc. The best I

for

am

one

pipeof

get in London, I

of this pretty town

latter is the modern

I perceive

the smell.

good by
can

tobacco ; and
assure

is

you.

But,

variouslyAvritten, Ashborn, Ashbourn,

of spelling
it. Ed.
way
but quite the reverse.
Ashborne
ale is as good
t Such is not the case
now,
of any other town
in England.
Each
his own
publican brews
ale ;
as that
leads to excellency. It is the same
hence
at Nottingham ;
a competitionthat
and I class amongst the best,pleasantest,and purest ales sold publiclythose of
The
cellars in each
towns.
the above
in rock and
are
merely excavations
sandstone, and are
peculiarlyadapted for preserving and improving malt
liquors. Ed.
Walton
by what
I.,that he was
t It should
seem,
says. Chap. X. Part
a
the reader
in the text, that Piscator,by
smoker
: and
sees, by the passage
*

The

name

Ashborne.

The

"

"

"

Cotton

to understand

himself, is so curious as to have his tobacco

piscatory disciplemay do as he pleases. Smoking,or,
in Queen
Elizabeth's
the phrase was, taking tobacco, was,
and
her sucas
cessor's
of
all
esteemed
the
Ben
time,
greatest
Jonson, wlio mortally
foppery.
sarcasms
hated it,had numberless
against smoking and smokers ; all of which
to
contained
in that work
those
of our
nothing, compared
are
King James the
jSfor was
the ordinary conversation
of
First, A Counter-blast to Tobacco."
whom

we

are

London.

from

But

our

"

fraught with

and
invectives againstthe use
reasons
of that
A Colfollowingsaying of his, extracted from
lection
of Witty Apophthegms," delivered by him
and others, at several times,
That
tobacco
and on sundry occasions, published in 12mo, 1671.
the
was
livelyimage and pattern of hell ; for that it had, by allusion,in it all the parts
be gained ; to wit : First, It was
and vices of the world whereby hell may
a
of this world.
the vanities
smoke
Secondly,It delighteththem who
; so are
of the world.
take it ; so do the pleasures of the world delightthe men
Thirdly,
less

this monarch

weed,

as

will appear

from

the

"

"

It maketh
men

are

men

drunken

leave it,it doth

drunken

and

in the head
liglit

Fourthly, He

therewith.
bewitch

him

even

so

: so

do the vanities of the

that takes

world

tobacco

saith he cannot
do the pleasures of the world
make
men

with them.
to leave them, they are for the most
And
part so enchanted
like
hell
in
the
it
is
of it,for it is a
all
besides
substance
this,
further,
very
further, his majesty professed
thing ; and so is hell. And
stinkingloathsome
three dishes ; 1. A
he to invite the devil to dinner, he should have
that, were
loath

2. A pole of ling and mustard

Herefordshire, to signifythe last

pig ;
In

smoke
name

and

3. A pipe of tobacco
for digesture."
concluding pipe that any one means
to
of the
at a sitting,
pipe, alludingto a man
they use the term a Kemble
of Kemble, who in the cruel persecutionunder the merciless bigot Queen
;

or

COMPLETE

THE

take

compliedwith

to
as
designs,
illcountry,onlyto satisfy

my

journey into an
long may I hope to enjoy you 1
can
Why truly,sir,as longas I conveniently

; how

me

thus far

you have
troublesome

sir,now

259

ANGLER.

ViAT.

would

longer,I think,you
Pisc. Not

have

not

me.

inconvenience

to your

; and

by

sir

means,

any

but

therefore I will

and

wait on.
presently
;
you to your chamber,where,take counsel of your pillow
resolve me.
and, to-morrow
Here, take the lights
; and
I

see

are

you

pray follow
have showed

weary,

them, sir : here

you

your
want, and

anythingyou
Good

ViAT.

like to lie ; and

are

you

I beseech
lodgings,
I wish you

so

now

command

you,

good rest,

night,sir.*

CHAPTER

III.

[Secontr"at?.]
Pisc. Good
so

to

see

sir ; what

Yes, sir,I have

well,and have

ViAT.
rested

morrow,

taken

trout

in

been
so

! up and drest so early

?
drest this half hour ; for I

great

your

mind

fine

either to

river,that

take,or

could

no

longerlie abed.
Pisc.
so
so

am

eager for
calm, and
to

success
or

gladto see you so brisk this morning,and

sport; though I must tell you, this day proves
rises so bright,
the sun
as
promisesno great

the

so

angler; but,however,
shall

do

we'll

try,and, one

something. What

sure
other,we
what will
or
breakfast,
I never
ViAT. For breakfast,

to your

will you

drink this

you

way

have

morning ?

eat any, and for drink

of
pleaseto call for a glass

am

ale,
very indifferent ; but if you
for I long
if you please,
I'm for you ; and let it be quickly,
the littlefishing-house
to see
you spokeof,and to be at my
lesson.
Mary, being condemned

for

heresy,in

his walk

of

miles

some

from

the prison

of weeping friends, with the tranquillity

and fortitude
to the stake, amidst a crowd
H.
of a primitivemartyr, smoked
a pipe of tobacco.
here to under*
we
are
of Piscator,by whom
stand
The
gentlemanly hospitality
"

Mr.

Cotton

himself, in his behaviour

foregoingpart of the
noting. H.

dialogue,and

to

stranger,manifested

in this instance

"

r2

in the

is well worth
of courtesy,

260

THE

Pisc.
for

Well, sir,you
I do

though
is alwaysone

till dinner

YiAT.
out

My

this fine

Pisc.

and

so

the

see

know

not

which

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

so
glass

yours, my
I
as
soon

servants

my

thanks

And

ale is

have

now,

without

come

calling
;

peopleknow
am

diet,

my

drest,and

no

more,

served you.
let
please,

if you

look

us

morning.

With

Boy, take the key of my fishinghouse, and carry down those two
angle-rodsin the hall
with my fish-pannier,
window, thither,
pouch, and landingnet ; and stay you there tillwe
come.
Come, sir,we'll walk
after,
where,by the way, I expect you should raise all the
exceptionsagainstour country you can.
YiAT.

all my

heart.

Nay, sir,do

not

think

me

so

ill-natured

nor

so

civil
un-

little bold with it last nightto divert

a
; I only made
only in jest.
you, and was
Pisc. You
then in as good earnest as I am
with
now
were
you

you
But

as

but had

you been reallyangry at

for,to say the truth,it is not very

it,I could

takingat

Pisc. Whether
than

to say

you
so

think

; and

so

or

no,

those of my

FISHING

HOUSE,

you

cannot

friends who

blame

fir^t sight.

look you, sir,

now
you are abroad,does not the
brighthere as in Essex,Middlesex,or Kent,

your southern counties ?

YiAT.
It is a delicate morning, indeed ; and
this a marvellous pretty place.
more

not

shine

sun
or

any

now

of

think

obligeme
know

my

humour, and

kind

so

are

comply with it,usuallyflatter

to

as

261

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

But look you, sir,now

that way.
you are at the brink
do you like my
of the hill,
how
river,the vale it winds
throughlike a snake,and the situation of my little fishingme

house

'?

ViAT.

Trust

this distance

bowler, I

sit and
YiAT.

also

Stay, what's

and

am

here is

door,pray walk

ing-green
bowl-

myself no

to my

you please.
the
here over

longas

as

in,and

very

pleasure,

own

regardto other men's.

some

to the

come

talk

devoted
totally

not

am

but that I have

are

at

seems

neat

Good

sir,you

the house

and
fine,

building.
enough for that purpose
too, close by it ; so, though

Pisc.

good

'tisall very

me,

And
there

now,

will

we

Piscatoribus

door?

title here;for
Why then,I perceiveI have some
of the worst
of them, though one
; and here below
contrived.
cyphertoo you spoke of,and 'tisprettily

Sacrum.'"'
1

am

one

it is the
Has

Walton

my master
built H

new

Pisc.

Yes, he

never

but

buildingwhen

in the

posture
he

was

the arch of the door.

And

for he has

me

this

he could

writ
lately

summer

Men

There

is,under

second

which, I

have
possibly

YiAT.

must

am

it,for it seems^

before it

afraid he will not

see

it yet;

word, he doubts his coming down

do

sent

assure

some

you,

the

was

worst

news

me.

their affairs to

mind

sometimes

And

see

set up ;:
was
the
house
stands ; for
it now
was
last here,and not raised so highas

this motto, the

part of this work.

here to

it cut in the stone

saw

but

been

ever

make

cypher prefiguredin the title-pageto the

has been already
part of the fishing-house

about it,
but the pleasantness of the river,mountains, and meadows
unless
Sir
JNIr.Cotton's
were
or
father,
again alive ta
cannot,
Philip Sidney,
do it.
described

t I have

been

favoured

with

an

accurate

descriptionof

this

by
fishing-house,

to see it.
person, who, being in that country, with a view to obligeme, went
inside a cube of
he gave of it is,that it is of stone, and the room
Tlie account
fifteen feet ; that it is paved with
black
and white
marble, and that in the
is a square black marble
middle
table,supported by two stone feet. The room
curious mouldings that divide the panelsup to the ceiling.
is wainscoted, with
of the most
In the largerpanels are represented, in painting,some
pleasant of
various
the
sorts
in
the smaller,
the adjacent scenes, with persons fishing; and
the
farther
and
tackle
in
the
used
on
left,
of
corner,
implements
angling. In
with
beaufet,
the
is a fire-placewith
a
large
a
foldingright,
chimney ; on
a
the portraits of Mr.
are
Cotton, with
doors, whereon
boy servant, and
is a cupboard ; on
the door
Underneath
Walton, in the dress of the time.
The
the figuresof a trout and a grayling are well portrayed.
edifice
whereof
.1

is at this time

(1748) in but indifferent

wainscoting,in

many

places,being

much

condition

decayed.
"

the

paintings,and

Hawkins

even

the

(son of Sir John

262

THE

for their

room

more

with
displeased
that he

are

house

COMPLETE

ANGLER.

the business that

comes

'tis odds he

: and
pleasures

But

not.

am

is

much

as

keeps him from you, as you

most pleasedwith this little
it stands in a kind of peninsula

of any thing I ever

saw
:
too, with a delicate clear river about

it.

I dare

hardly

go in,lest I should not like it so well within as without : but,

fine
by your leave,I'll try. Why, this is better and better,
fine wainscoted,and
lights,
table and

all in the middle

all

defend

part where I can worst

there.
Come, boy, set
tobacco,which

marble

Enough, sir,enough ;

Pisc.

exceedingneat, with
I have

laid open to you the

and now
myself,
you attack me

chairs ; and

two

whilst I

am

takinga

is

if you
we
alwaysmy breakfast,
^ill,
other subject.
talk of some
please,
YiAT. Kone
than
fitter,
then,sir,for the time and place,
those instructions you promised.
Pisc. I begin to doubt,by somethingI discover in you,
able to instruct you or no ; though,if you are
I am
whether
clear northern rivers,
I still think 1
a strangerto our
really
since it is yet too earlyin the morning
can
: and
therefore,
at this time of the year, to-daybeing but the seventh
of
March, to cast a flyupon the water, if you will direct me
what kind of fishing
for a trout I shall read you a lecture on,
I am
willingand readyto obey you.
YiAT. Why, sir,if you will so far oblige
me, and that it

pipeof

not be too troublesome

to you, I would
entreat you
may
would
the
whole
of
it
I will not
and
run
through
body
;

conceal

from

courtesy,and

you

that

am

so

pretty More-Land

far in love with

seat, as

you, your
resolve
to
to stay

with

for I will not oppress

you long enough by intervals,
you to hear all you can say upon that subject.
Pisc. You
than by such a promise:
cannot oblige
me
more
without
therefore,

I will begin to tell

ceremony,
having read to you before,it
you, that my father Walton
look like a presumptionin me
would
(and,peradventure,
and

more

in any other man),to pretendto givelessons for

understands
as
anglingafter him, w^ho,I do reallybelieve,
would

much

do

so

of it at least

as

any

acquaintyou, that I am
of myself,that I am

in

man

not

England,did

tempted

able to

to it

giveyou

I not

pre-

vain

by any
nion
opibetter directions ;

childhood,pursued the recreation

my
anglingin very clear rivers,trulyI think by much, some
them at least,
the clearest in this kingdom,and the manner

but

having,from

of
of

of

with

anglinghere

of that

by reason

us,

tackle,and

allow

nearer

clearness,
exceeding

the method

different from

being something
in others,which by beingnot

263

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

commonly

used

admit of stronger
bright,
approach to the stream ; I may
so

near

instructions that may be of use,

and shall bringyou acquaintedwith
rivers,

giveyou

peradventure

some

in your own
and show you how to make them, and with what dubbing
flies,
Angler.
too,than he has taken notice of in his Complete

even
more

I beseech

YiAT.

I will light
a
steel,
breakfast

in

sir,do

you,

and

if you

will lend

pipe the while ; for that is

me

your

commonly

my

morning too.

CHAPTEE

lY.

"ap.]
[Sccontr
as
a
Why then,sir,to begin methodically,

Pisc.

do ; and

should

art

any

myself a

this,I

in

master

I will not

deny

shall divide

graylinginto these three ways; at the

Which
three ways,
in the middle.
them, as I shall hereafter endeavour
sort

some

not

those

both

to

common

but

that

anglingfor

top,at the

I think
trout

make

kinds

of

or

bottom,and

though they are

to

in

master

all of

it appear, in

fish,
yet

they

are

sarily
absolutely
so, but that they will necesdue
in
I
distinction,
which,
place, will also

and
generally

so

requirea
give you.
That

which

bottom, with

call

anglingat the top is with

in the middle,with
ground-bait;

we
a

a
a

fly; at

the

minnow

or

ground-bait.
Angling
with

or

That

at the

an

artificialfly.

we

call

by the hand, or
That
with

cork

angling in
for

minnow

two

anglingat
with

call

we

top is of

the
or

sorts ; with

bottom

quick[live]
fly,

is also of two

sorts ;

is also of two

sorts ;

float.

the middle

trout, or

with

ground-baitfor

grayling.*
Angling
ground-bait
*

There

is

'"

in the

for

middle,"

grayling

method

drawing," which
nearly at the top.

trolling and spinning. Fishing with a

angling at the middle, but at the bottom.

means

is not

fishing for grayling and other fish called " sinking and
consists in part of fishing at the bottom, the middle, and
of

264

THE

Of all which
the

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

I will,
if you
angling,

several sorts of

have

can

I can.
hear me, give you the best account
the pleasure
trouble will be yours, and mine

patienceto

YiAT.
and

The

: I
obligation

the

Pisc.

Why

beseech

therefore to

you

proceed.

then, firstof fly-fishing.

CHAPTER

Y.

FLY-FISHING.

OF

[^cconlrBan.]
at the top, is,as I
or
Fly-fishing,
fishing
sorts ; with a natural and living
or with
fly,

Pisc.
of two
and

made

First
but

before,

artificial

an

fly.
then, of the natural fly: of which
sorts ; and

two

June

said

I have

though

months

those but in the two

only ; namely, the

made

use

drake

May and
:
stone-fly

of

and

the

third,that

way,

green
of

use
generally

we

called the

with very good success, for grayling,

but never
camlet-fly,
it angled with
saw
by any other, after this manner,
my
who
and
master
died
was
one
only excepted,
many
years ago,
I knew.
of the best anglersthat ever
These are to be angled with, with a short line,not muck
than half the lengthof your rod,if the air be stillj or
more
with a longer,
rod, if
very near, or all out, as long as your
have

you

any

wind

to

it from

carry

this way of
dibbing;'" wherein you

fishingwe call daping,dabbing,or

before
are
always to have your line flying
river,as the wind serves, and to angleas
of the

the bank
see

you

fly

if you

and

fish rise

are

side whereon

near

him, whether

over

the

same

you, you
in the

pretty well

of a
interposition

bank

of

you

up

near

or

as

down

you

can

the
to

stand,though where

guide your quick [live]

middle,or

out
or

you

may

And

you.

the

on

contraryside ;

sight,either by kneelingor

bush,you

may

almost be

sure

to

done; the fish will,

raise,and take him too, if it be presently
if it
other place,
otherwise,peradventurebe removed to some
where he is alwaysin motion, and roving
be in the stilldeeps,
*

p. 59."

have
Ed.

already described

this mode

of

angling

at the

end

of chap. iii.

THE

and

up

down

to look

265

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

for prey,

though,in

if there be
always almost,especially

stream, you

may

good
near, find
him in the same
place. Your line ought in this case to
be three good hairs next the hook, both by reason
you are in
this kind of anglingto expect the biggest
fish,and also that
wanting lengthto givehim line after he is struck,you must
be forced to

tug for

it ; to which

stone

1 will also add that not

an

in
inch of your line being to be sufiered to touch the water
it may be allowed to be the stronger. I should now
dibbing,

give you

then

and

of those flies,
their shape and colour,
description
giveyou an account of their breeding,and withal

show

you how to keep and use

to their proper placeand season.

; but shall defer

them

them

of this
In earnest, sir,you discourse very rationally
and I am
affair,"
gladto find myselfmistaken in you; for in

ViAT.

tx'uth I did not

expect so much
Pisc. Nay, sir,I can tell you
will conceal

and

from
a

great deal

But I must
now
you.
is
with
of anglingat the top,which

way
fly,which also I will show

done,but first shall acquaintyou,

come

ficial
arti-

an

before

that with this you

are

half,or sometimes
with both this and the other,

to

anglewith

two

yards,than your rod ; and

a stillday in the streams, in a breeze that curls the water
the stilldeeps,
in May and June, that the
where (excepting

in
in

best trouts
For

by
for

too)you

the

like to hit the best fish.

of five

six

or

and

yards longtis commonly

so
neatlyand artificially

longer,though never
ought not to be, if you intend

made, it
otherwise,where
Of these,the
which

are

lies the
best that

to fish at

ever

saw

if

in

made

are

Yorkshire,

one

below, and silk above, as

switch,and to j^lywith a true bent

compliment is well-deserved
: Cotton
or
dibbing" well, and teaches it soundly, Ed.
or
two yards.
See remarks
t Too long by one
chap, xxi., part i. Ed.
*

; and

sport?

fine thread
a

ease

piece; that is to say, of several,six,eighr.,

so
pieces,
neatlypiecedand tied togetherwith

all of

ten, or twelve
like

for prey, and

watch

to

your rod, you are always to be governed

of the river you shall chuse to angleat ; and

one
trout-river,

enough ;

are

streams

lengthof

the breadth
a

longerby a yard and

will lie in shallow

then

even

line

to make

how

you

this,

than

more

nothing from

to the second

have

you.

This

to

to your

understood

it

make

"

taper

hand ; and

daping, dabbing,

"

"

on

fishing-rodsat

the end

of

266
these too

lengthsnearest
them

that

have

of fir-wood

light,
being made

are

top, that

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THii:

hand, and of other wood

to the

might

man

I saw,

ever

given over

for two

with

hand

one

anglingfor

being

taken

and

laid up in some
dry place,may afterwards
again in their former postures,and v/illbe as
and
in

longestof

the

these,when

; and

season,

to the

nearer

easilymanage

very

three

or

to

be set

you

pieces,

together

sound,
straight,
and
made ;
good,as the first hour they were
being laid
oil and colour,
accordingto your master Walton's direction,

will last many

The

years.

lengthof

his

how

that knows

line,to a man
it,is no manner

your

to handle

of incumbrance, excej)ting
rod,and to cast
which
and in landing of a fish,
v/oodyplaces,
every one
that can
afford to anglefor pleasure,
has somebody to do for
in

him

; and

the

of
lengtli

line is

at a distance ; aud to fish fine,

and
fishing
and principal
rule for trout-angling.*

Your

line in this

exceed

two

hairs next

know,

will

pretendto

few, the

too

sufficient to

to the hook

this and

of

name

Now,

an

it

is the
ofi',

first

be

less,nor

ever

; for one,

is indeed
fellows)
finest hand, being

the

that

two, in

(thoughsome,

their

than

others of

some

three

whole

your

first lengths
nearest
above

he

but

far

kill

cannot

trout

of

river clear of wood

and

are, deserves

the

ours

not

angler.

to have

the next

art

more

twenty inches longwith

weeds,as

never

accident,with

least
break

should

case

the

mighty advantageto

line

as

it

should

the hook

ought to be,two of the

be of two hairs a-piece
;

of three ; the next three

of Rve, and six,and seven, to

lengthsabove

them

them

of four ; and so
the very top : by which means,
in
your rod and tackle will,
be taperfrom your very hand to your hook ; your
a manner,
line will fall much
better and straighter,
and cast your flyto
to which the hand and eye shall direct it,
any certain place,
with less weight and violence,than would
otherwise circle

the water, and

fright
away

the fish.

easilythrow twelve yards of line with one hand ; and with

as easilythrow
eighteen. H.
of the present day can
throw
his flya distance
[An accomplished fly-fisher
of fifteen yards with a single-handedrod, and twenty-fiveand even
thirtyyards
with the double-handed
salmon-rod.
Modern
in throwing the fly
superiority
is the result of fishingwith far better rods and lines than
those used
in the
*

An

artist may

two, he may

time

of

began
has

Sir

"

John

been

Hawkins

"

about

century ago.

angling,the improvement
upon
marked, and
wonderfully progressive,

to write

Since

1836, when

in all sorts
useful.

"

Ed.]

of

I first

fishing-tackle

In

do it always before
casting
your line,
flymay firstfall xipon the water, and

your
line with

it

you, and so that

little of your
as
be stiff,
if the wind
you

is

possible
; though
be
necessity compelledto
to keep your flyin the water
as

will then of
line

your

fly"
yo^
serves

the

aim

must

several
side,

same

the

to stand

when

times

in

will not
stand

on

utmost

the

throw

to the

permit you

angle on

on

far off the bank

as

the

so

the wind

as

againstyou,

on

the river winds

much

down

and

angleup
as

in

by
to

can,

you

always be sure
lengthwill giveyou leave

as

your
contraryside

to

and

And

back.

your

are

constrained

stand,you

you

the wind

though when

do,and that you

side whereon

same

bank

hour,as

an

and

nearer

or

will be forced to

you

also will be with

wind,evermore,

you

It

further

good part of
in castingyour

drown

but, endeavour, as
accordingly,

turns

have

at the

turn, which

your

its course, and

as

267

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

the very brink of the river,and

length of your rod and line,up

flyto
the

down

or

then

must

cast your

to

the

river,

galeserves.
onlyremains, touchingyour line,to inquirewhether

open ?
for that I should declare that I think the open way the
better,because it makes less show in the water, but that
I have found an
inconvenience,or two, or three,that have
two

your
And

made

me

hairs next

almost

to the hook

weary

better twisted

are

of that way

without

or

which, one is,that,

strong open as twisted ;
; of

dispute,
they are not so
to be fastened of so exact
they are not easily
an
equallengthin the armingthat the one will not cause the
other to bag,by which
hair upon
has but one
means
a man
another,that

the matter
hairs are

flying
only more
apt to catch upon every twig
bent
the hook, in falling
or
theymeet with, but, moreover,
the water, will,
and fly back
upon
very often, rebound
betwixt the hairs,
in a rough water
and there stick (which,
is not presently
so
to be discerned by the angler),
especially,
as the pointof the hook
shall stand reversed ; by which means
makes a much
greatercircle in the
your flyswims backward,
to trust

to ; and

the last is that these loose

not

water, and tilltaken

home

to

you

and

fish,or, if it should, I am
chance,can hit none.*
extraordinary
raise any

This cannot

should

be used

the flies in the

the end

of this

set

will
right,

sure,

but

by

never
a

very

the only sort that

happen with the present gut casting-lines,
with
them, working
them, casting
for fly-fishing.For making
water"
hooking,playing,landing a fish" see my instructions at
chapter. Ed.
"

268

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

Having done with botli tliese ways of fishingat the top^

the lengthof your rod, and line and all,I am
next
to teach
you how to make a fly; and afterwards of what dubbingyou
the several fliesI shall hereafter

to make

are

In

making

(forof
to

flythen,which

those,and

speak every

hook

hand, with

their several
in the

month

fast betwixt

the

is not

kinds,we

yeai')
you

of the

then take

ends;
your finger's
colour of the flyyou intend

the

of the

wax

colour

same

occasion

first to hold your

are

thumb

strong small

make, wax
which
end, you
(to

too

palmer-fly

of your
upwards,and the

shank

towards

or

shall have

and
fore-finger

the

back

hackle

to you.

name

to

left-

point

silk,of

it well

with

always,

are

of all colours about you),and draw

by the way, to have wax
it betwixt your fingerand thumb, to the head of the shank,

and

then

whip it twice

thrice about

or

the bare

hook, which

know
and also
is done, both to prevent slipping,
you must
that the shank of the hook may not cut the hairs of your
towght,which sometimes it will otherwise do : which being

done, take

line,and draw it likewise betwixt your

fingerand thumb, holdingthe hook so fast as onlyto suffer
your

it to pass by, until you have the knot of your towght almost
to the middle
of the shank of your liook,on the inside of it ;
then
as

whip

hard

as

your

the

silk twice

strengthof the silk will

done, stripthe feather

bignessof your

for the

that
fiy,
placing

uppermost before,upon
much

only

pointof

as

the

thrice about

or

to

serve

the

both hook

and

line,

permit; which

being
to the
wings proportionable
side downwards

back

for the

of the

length of
from

plume,lyingreversed

which

grew

hook, leavingso
the

the end

wing

of the

of the shank

then

whip your silk twice or thrice about the

root-end of the feather,
hook, and towght; which beingdone,
of
the
root-end
the feather close by the arming,and
clipoff
then whip the silk fast and firm about the hook and towght,
upwards

until you
you do at

come

to the

London, and

bend
so

of the
make

unnatural

hook, but not further,as

very unhandsome, and, in

and shapeless
plain English,a very
fly; which
of
cut
the
end
being done,
your towght,and fasten it,
away
and
is to make
then take your dubbing,which
the body of
think
much
as
as
convenient,and holding it
your fly,
you
of
lightlywith your hook betwixt the fingerand thumb
it
your left hand, take your silk with the right,and twisting
betwixt
of that hand, the dubbing
the fingerand thumb
will spinitselfabout the silk,which when
it has done, whip

of the

settingon
wings,and

the

the other

on

liook

backward, till yon

and
posture betwixt the fore-finger
left hand ; which done, warp them
down
so

thumb

in that

to the end

of the hook

the bend

slopetowards

to

come

the

wings,and then take the feather for the

it equallyinto two parts,and turn
them
bend of the hook, the one
the one
side
on
the other of the shank,holdingthem
fast

divide

towards

back
and

armed

the

it about

269

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

; and

to

as

of your
stand
and

having warped up

of the

shank, hold the flyfast betwixt the finger

and thumb
of your left hand, and then take the silk betwixt
of your
the fingerand thumb
right hand, and where the
warping ends,pinch or nip it with your thumb-nail against
your

and stripaway
finger,

from

the

about, make

twice
and

silk,and
it

cut

up the

remainder

then with

the bare

the

to

wings

which,

off; after

dubbing

the

with

stand
the

silk

of your
it

whip

in due

pointof

dubbing
once

or

order,fasten,
needle,raise

the warp, twitch off the superfluous

leave
the
of
an
dubbing ;
equal
wings

gentlyfrom

hairs of your
length,
your flywill

never

else swim

the work

true, and

is

the
making a fly,which is certainly
best of all other,was
taught me by a kinsman of mine, one
neighbour,an admirable flyCaptainHenry Jackson, a near
I yet
angler,by many degreesthe best fly-makerthat ever
that I have told you how a flyis to
with.'^* And
met
now
be made, you shall presently
make
see
me
one, with which
standing
peradventuretake a trout this morning,notwithyou may
nine of
the unlikeliness of the day ; for it is now
the clock,and fish will begin to rise,
if theywill rise to-day:
I will walk
along by you, and look on, and after dinner I
will proceedin my lecture of fly-fishing.
YiAT.
I confess 1 long to be at the river,and yet I could
sit here all day to hear you : but some
of the one, and some
to
of the other,will do well ; and I have a mighty ambition
And

done.

take

trout

needs

There

have, by
[Note.

in your

I warrant

Pisc.

this way

means

of

river Dove.
you

nothing
of them

more

shall

I have
and

have

I would

be said of these

alone,become

excellent

not

for

more

directions,than

fly-makers.
"

that

than

hundreds

II.

directions
Cotton's
are
Sir J. Hawkins.
agree with
the easiest of all made
flies a fly with body and wings, but
for legs,tinsel for tip and ribbing. In consequence,
tail,hackle-feather
given diagrams of the artificial flyin its several stages of fabrication,
"

I cannot

limited to making
without

elucidated

"

them

last pages of this work.

"

with

Ed.]

written

and
descriptions

instructions.

See the

270
will

speakof

but

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

should,seeingI liave

you

nay, I will

here

extolled

so

my

month,
you
before
good day
sport
you go.
YiAT. You
will find me, I doubt, too tractable that way;
for in good earnest,if business would give me
and that
leave,

river to

you
shall have one

it

keep

you

but

of

I could find in my heart to stay with you for ever.

fit,
Pisc. I thank you, sir,for that kind expression
; and now

were

let

look out my

me

thingsto

CaSTING-LINES

[IlEMAEKS ON GUT,
Flies

Woeking

or

this

Htjmoueing"

"

and

plating,

hooking,

ON

make

THE

ON
the

landing

fly.

lattee

Teoft.

OWING

"

LiNE

THE
on

AND

Watee

the

Silk-worm

gut is now

It can
be bought cheaply of all qualitiesfly-fishers.
of
roundness, strength,
lengths link,thickness,and fineness. The best
and rounder it is the better.
from Spain: and the fresher,
comes
brighter,
too fine for trout
It cannot be too thick or round fi)rsalmon-fishing,
or
in a clear-stream.
I do not think it absolutely
and grayling-fishing
used

all

by

saucer

gut, but if you

good writingink

to stain

necessary

of heated

it in cold

The

springwater.
In

palebluish

it in coils in a
choose to do so, immerse
for four or five minutes, and then wash

colour communicated

making

the

to the

gut

will be

"

or
collar,"as
gut, casting-line,

green.
certain localitiesit is termed, the finest links should be at the end

in

of the

increase in
line that firsttouches the water, and then should gradually
of
to
which
the
collar
is
fastened
the loopby means
to the
thickness up

loop of

-line.

the winch

The

extreme

end

of the

winch-line,and

the

should be equal in thickness,and to render

i|pper end of the casting-line
them so, a coupleof feet of fine plattedgut may be added to the thicker
The
links of which
the latter is formed
casting-line.
are
and the knots are
knotted together fine end to thick end
frequently
rendered more
secure
by being whipped neatlywith waxed silk. If the
links are well knotted,they will requireno whipping. It is above these
or
knots that the drop-flies,
"bobs," are attached; the tail-fly,
or
the
end
is
fine
of
to
the
whose
stretcher," looped
casting-line,
length

end of the

"

"

"

need

exceed two

never

place

to

and

three

than

more

half

and
yards,

on

which

a
flies,
stretcher,and

it is rarely
advisable
two

The
drop-flies.

largestand
drop-flyabove

best fly
; the first drop, a bob, the
that the smallest and least attractive.
the stretcher and firstbob should be two feet,and

stretcher should be the

next

The

best ; and the

distance between

between

the firstand last bob

line is now
At

Your

casting-

complete.

the outset

about four

eighteenor twenty inches.

or

line until you

"

five

at the

first lesson of

yardsof

throwing the

the winch-line,not

puttingon

line

"

the

beginwith
gut casting-

tolerablywell a few yards of the winch-fine.

do so, attach a gut collar of two
yards,without any fly
after you have learnt to throw that straightly
eightor ten

can

When

you can
attached ; and

yards, you may

A
angling. In
**

throw

attach
Handbook

one
your stretcher and
of Angling,"I have

bob

and

written

commence
on

throwing

a
beginner,I presume, and have never
for your novitiate be ten or eleven feet
rod
the
a
its play inchningrather to faulty stiffness than to over-pUancy.

the line
handled

long ;

271

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

follows

as

You

"

"

are

Let

rod before.

the rings standingin a straight

line,
jointsor piecestogether,
that the winch-line may
run
freelythrough them without any tortuous
to its left side,
impediment. Put on your winch with its handle,at first,
until there be four or five yardsof
and draw your line through the riugs,
it out beyond the final ring at the point of the top joint. Turn
your
Put

the

rod

You

righthand
close

not

under

the

on

side,with

its handle

to your right
rod in your
hand must

are
now
ready for your first cast. Grasp your
littleabove the winch, but not tightly.Your

turned

the thumb

firmly with

goingto strike

were

be

that the winch

so

hand.

over
your knuckles,as if you
fingersmust simplyentwine the rod,
flat,fleshypart downwards, must be

Your

blow.

squeeze it,and your thumb, the

with the arm, pressingthe upper side of the rod, which hold up
straight
the tip of
and pointinga, littleto the left side. Take
perpendicularly,
not

the fine between

rod

looselyand

and
fore-finger
and see that
freely,
the

of your left liand

in your
it balances easily
thumb

poiseyour

righthand.

river's surface. Move

I'll suppose you on a bank
above some
your
rightwrist and fore-arm round to the right,letting
ning
go, justas it is begin....

and bring
get taut, the tip of the line from your left fingers,
round from left to rightover
your rightshoulder the upper part of your
the
with
of
and
rod, describing
circle,
pbint it an irregular a horse-shoe
to

"

then cast forward

with

motion of the wrist

flinging
predominateover

motion, or

action of the w^ist must

and

joint. If

elbow

freedom,
faU

practisinguntil you

you must
To prevent too much

body with

that

The

of the fore-arm

If not, you

the surface of the water.

continue

yom-

and fore-arm.

and with fearless

exactly,
you follow the above motions
of your line should
four to five feet of the extremity

from

lightlyupon

"

allow

wrong,

and

right."

are

of the line

the cast,or

are

fallingupon
the point of

the water, do not bend

yond
your rod to descend be-

much, but a little between the

I have written
horizontal and perpendicular
as
projection. At first,'"
in the treatise justnamed,
you will find,unless you be very handy, and
a
very apt scholar indeed, that nearlyall your line out will fall upon the
a

horizontal

position
; indeed not

so

"

"

water, and
with

that the

the surface

line well,and

pointof

of it.

if not

your

These

overcome,

are

in contact, or

rod

will

the

greatestdrawbacks

come

the learner must

never

to

nearlyso,
throwing a

expect to become

might and main he must struggleto vanquish

them.
They are caused by lettingthe fore-arm fall too low whilst in the
in unison with the downward
and bendingthe body forward
act of casting,
have made
motion of the arm.
Here is the remedy. When
you
the
line
shoulder
and
over
brought your rod
your castingmovement
them forwards,
and by the rightside of your head, and propelled
and over

an

With
expert fly-fisher.

"

the motion
line is

body

of the wrist and elbow

itselfin
straightening

must

be

its onward

and

be

checked
gradually

descending

and the chest held rather back.

upright,

hold your rod

between your hand
you

jointmust

and the

will

find,if
you, the part

the end of it nearest to

in contact
spike,or spud,will come

that
properly,

the
The

course.

You

as

with the

272

COMPLETE

THE

ANGLER.

part of

nncler

the water
your fore-arm as the line is approaching
will prevent the pointof yonr rod following
the line

this contact

and

so

low

greatpart of the latter to roll on to the water."

Having practisedwith winch-line only,and being able to throw well
with a singleliy,
and see if you
ten yardsof it,put on your casting-line

as

to

cause

raise and

cannot

which

fish.
It

learn.

must

you

hook

There

is

cast

the

"

throwingfrom

means

back -handed

left to

one

"

right,and is
from
right

by bringingthe pointof your rod well up before you

to left side ; and then, turningover
your hand, by the action of the wrist,
left
down stream, bringingrod and line
throw
backwards
to right,
from
in that direction,and
over
sending the casting-line
sharply obliquely
below
the water
across
you, on the right side. This is a good way of
castingwhen there are obstructions,trees, rocks, high banks, behind
done

you ; and
from the

at the

time it

same

rightshoulder.

Being

your

able

with
first,
bringiiig

touch the water

winch-line,you
flies. In

eases

it

on

when

arm

with casting
fatigued

will
cast,that your gut-line
to the surface very littleof the

to

in earnest,and with three

operations
motion must be no longer
longline,the right arm
commence

may

throwing a

confined to the hand

so

fore-arm, but must extend to the shoulder.

the muscles of the fore,upper
and shoulder must
arm
and

of
All the powers
be brought into requisition.The

arm

be

must

broughtround

in

full

the shoulder,and above

over
easy sweep until the hand and rod come
and by the rightside of the head, and then the line and flies must be
sent forwards

The

with

it,as they are

from

motion
current

by
;

the

tremulous

and the

with the current,and not against

for salmon.
Throw
in fishing
them obliquely
on

the water

stream, and

work

action of the

line

them

wrist, and

below

on

your

the cast either above

side.
or

Take

below

them

the

a river upwards ; below, if you are

of the water.
Anglersdisagreeon

then

downwards, givingthem

working them with

work
tightened length,

the

theyhave nearlyreached

the

having fioated to its

stream, but not againstit,until

fliesacross
bank

vigorousfling.

humoured

across

you

humoured

fliesare

from

the

the

water, and repeat

above,if you are fishing

previousone
fishingdownwards, or with the flow
the questionof fishing
up and down
"

towards the tail of

opinion,it is better to beginfishing
at its head, for by so doing fewer
fish are
disturbed
a stream,finishing
follow
at
the head of a pool,swim,
than by the effectsthat
commencing
A hooked-fish generally
down stream, and will disturb
stream.
runs
or
the fish before him.
If,fishing
up stream,you have alreadythrown over
fish above you without raising
them, their being disturbed or frightened
hooked-fish will be of no consequence.
by the struggling
Having already
in
refused your lures,you may leave them, for the time being at least,
their unscared tranquillity.
Invariablycommence
castingnear the bank
the lengthsof your casts until you throw
which you stand,increasing
on
If you commence
with
as far from
long casts,you
you as you can.
stream.

the fish that lie in that part of the water nearest to you.
six years
since,has been lauded
following
passage, written by me

would
The

In my

disturb

and quoted by the best writers on angling

In what
by practitioners
the water, or justbeneath it,preon
preciseshapeartificialfliesfloating
"

"

sent themselves

to the

present themselves
appearance

cannot
trulytell. They certainly
but their
livingforms of natural insects,

fish,I cannot

in the exact

that the artificialfliesfor the

carp
flies
"

tribe,presentthe

to guess, I should say

and some
of the
trout,grayling,

common

of

appearance

livinginsects strugglingon,

of

If I

something similar.

be

must

endeavour

fisher should

were

drowned

drowning, or

little beneath

or

I do not think this surmise

the water.

273

ANGLEK.

COMPLETE

THE

fanciful.

natural

the surface of

At

any rate,the flypresent his artificialbaits to the fish as

to

as possible,
namely,by givingthem as natural an appearance
deceptively
be.
He must cause
them to drop lightlyon the water, because
as may

flydoes

the natural

he must

to floatdown

them

cause

stream

as

as

"

sort of

fluttering,
generally
speaking,being the best. All
the
comprehended by
expression humouring' one's flies. To
the moment
your fliesalightupon the water, hold up your rod,
a

this is
do

so

to it may appear skimming the surface ; the other

and attached to the casting-line,
if properlyproportioned
being ever
the

next
drop-fly

littleunder

it,

that

two,
so

If you allow your upper

dropperto be under water,
that dropper will be sunk too deeplyto
the line below

water.

all the flieson

insects to the fish,and

appear living
them will not be attractive. When

flyfrom

near

he can, because the natural flymoves

upon the surface of
and he must impart tremulous,or fitfulmotion to his flies

the surface
the water

so

the stretcher

therefore any motion you may give

last dropper(second
you keep your
surface of the water,

the
on
tail-fly)

or

impart to

it a very slight
skippingmotion, by a tremulous shake of the rod, and
the fliesthat are justunder water will receive the most natural
ments
moveyou

give them.

can

towards

the water

sea-trout,work
When

you

Never
and

your trout-flies straightacross

unless they be fliesfor salmon or

drag

never,

againstthe current."

them

fish rises to the

upwards
gentle,obliquely

fly,do

strike

not

twist of the

rapidlyor roughly. A

wrist,made

the moment

you feel
but a little
fish,will be sufficientto hook him. Strike not at a rise,
after it ; and not at all,unless sensation tells you the fish has touched or
and you strike at him,
seized the fly. If a fish rises and misses the fly,
the
from
him, he will hardlybe
fly unnaturallyaway
therebywhipping
your

but

if you

not, and go on humouring your

flies until it be necessary to make
another cast, in all probability
the
will
When
do
trout
not lean heavilyon your fish,
come
hooked,
again.

tempted to

rise

again;

let him

him
go, holding
line.
Of
such
not pulling,
but

has
"

to

when

swim
you

with

away

feel that he

in
a

do

hand,

line

with

givehim

and

carry, the
wind
is,
up your

uprightrod,and taut, but

of it he
enough ; for the more

an

will he

sooner

winch-line

be

exhausted

slowly,
presenting

and come
and the latter will yield,
the butt of the rod towards the fish,
If he be a small fish,
lift him out of the water by an easy,
towards you.
lead him
If large,
in
the
direction of the shore.
long,upwards jerk

head foremost,towards
gently,
head
have

and shoulders
a

are

within

when
; and
your sunken landing-net
the hoop of the net, lift it up, and

captivepast escaping.Never

thrust, nor

lest,scared at such rude

thrust, the net at the fish,
away

by

the force of

fierce final

or
struggle,

let your

or

you

attendant

he
proceeding,

lest he

his

the

break

line be

274!
struck

by

the net, and

If a fish,as

surface of the water,

or

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

so

cause

soon

lastingdissolution of partnership.
hooked, commences
strugglingon the
jump after jump out of it, it is a sure
a

as

throws

prompt

and

At
each jump, lower a little the
firmlyliooked.
on the surface,
pointof your rod ; do not pullwhilst the fish is struggling
him
and
it.
with
instead of
or
Play
delicacy
;
bounding up beyond
tearingaway the hook from a slighthold,you may succeed in rendering
When
that hold firmer.
a fish,on
being hooked, sinks rapidlyto the
Play him with confidence,
bottom,depend upon it he is well hooked.
he
In foul parts of the
cannot
but not with brute force,and
escape.
dilapidatedweirs, close above
river,amongst rocks,roots of trees,near
with
work
a
them, or the arches of bridges,
tightrein,and
you must
gerous
danbutt" your foe determinedlyevery time he makes
a rush for some
with the intention of making it a vantage ground for a
locality,
successful sauve
qui pent on his part.

signthat

he

is not

"

with those on hooking,

together
[Ifthe reader studythese instructions,
of
end
the
at
"c., a salmon, given
Cbap. VII., Part I.,and practise
playing,
the result will be
Jack is as good as his master."
them carefully,
"

"

"Ed.]

CHAPTER

VI.

[SccontfBap.]
Pisc.
and

now,

Boy, come, giveme

sir,since I find you

scrupleto lay open

no

YiAT.

Did

ever

trumpery is bere
his

shop balf

Pisc.
this

so

any
!

my
one

here presently
dubbing-bag
;

my

honest

so

man,

before you.
the like ! What

I will make

treasure
see

Certainlynever

well furnished

You, perhaps,
may

as

think

an

you
now,

call it,for show

anglerin

heap of
Europe has
a

have.
that

I rake

together

only; to the end

that
trumpery,
you
I assure
such as see it,which are not many
you, may think
in the art of angling: but,let me
tellyou,
a great master
me
bere are
some
colours,as contemptibleas they seem
here,
that are very hard to be got ; and
of
them
scarce
any one
I
be
should
should
it
if
not
which,
lost,
miss, and be concerned
in the year.
about the loss of it,too, once
But look
you, sir,amongst all these I will choose out these two colours
only,of which, this is bear's hair,this darker,no great matter
I have killed a great deal of fish with it ;
what j but I am
sure
as

THE

2/5

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

both of these you shall take trout or grayling

or
day,notwithstandingall disadvantages,
my art

and with

one

or

this very
shall fail me.
YiAT.
reason

made,

and
promisecomfortably,

You

I have

greatdeal of

to believe everything
you say ; but I wish the
at it.
that we were

will not

Pisc. That
You

then.

be

firsthow

see

Look

longin doing:

I hold my
first two
or

my
you, here are
bare hook ; thus I join hook

and pray observe

and thus I begin.

hook,
three

whips about

line ; thus

and

flywere

put

the

on

my

wings ; thus I twirl and lapon my dubbing ; thus I work it

up towards the head ; thus I part my wings; thus I nip my
superfluous
dubbing from my silk ; thus fasten ; thus trim
and

adjustmy

you

like it 1

YiAT.
but

In

there's

flymade

; and

now

earnest,admirablywell,and it resembles

about

we

fly; and

London, make

the bodies of

so
biggerand longer,
long as

even

our

almost

to

how

do

fly:

fliesboth much
the very beard

of the liook.

Pisc. I know
me

to

by

it very

honest

an

giveme

well,and had

gentleman,who

with my father Walton

(to tell you the truth)I hung in

visit ; which

of those fliesgiven

one

came

to
parlourwindow
laugh at : but, sir,you know the
proverb, Those who go to Pome must do as they at Pome
do ;" and believe me, you must
here make
your flies after
this fashion,
fish. Come, I will look
or
you will take no
you out a line,and you shall put it on, and try it. There,
I think you are
ther
fitted ; and now
sir,now
beyond the furend of the walk you shall begin : I see, at that bend of
the water
the water
above, the air crisps
a little: knit your
line firsthere,and then go
and see what
you
up thither,

my

"

do.

can

YiAT.

Did

Pisc.

you

see

that,sir ?

you too, which

inade him turn
if you
short.
You
fish further ofi",
must
intend to have any sport here ; this is no New
Piver, let me
tell you. That was a good trout,believe me : did you touch him ?
YiAT. No, I would
I had, we
would not have parted so.

Yes, I

saw

the

fish : and

Look

you, there is another

Pisc. That flyI am
sure

right:

but

they only chew

this is

would
at

sir,let

he

saw

excellent

fly.
if the day
kill fish,
an

it,I see, and

will not

were

take it.

return
back to the fishing-house
us
: this still
Come,
water, I see, will not do our business to-day: you shall now,
s2

276

COMPLETE

THE

make
please,

if you

and try what

flyyourself,''-'

witli that

in the streams

Give

I know

and

making,will

of your own
of mine.
one

ANGLER.

pleaseyou
bag again,sirrah

better than

that

me

and a
a hook, towght, silk,
doing with those,and I will look you

out

sir,

be

dubbing that

will do.

think

This is

YiAT.
Pisc.

That

littlehook.

very

to inform

serve

make

must

you

stands,it must

case

too, that

do

must

wings

your
a

very little one

said ! believe me,
a

Well

I doubt

my

So here's your

master.

very
for
as
accordingly
;

little fly,
and

business.

your

to teach

me

upon

be

you, that it is for

fingersvery handsomely;

shift your

taken

may

and
little fly,

you

twenty

fly

with

look you,
feather for the wings

there is

the

do

can

taken with

trout

you

have

dubbing

now.

This

YiAT.

dubbing is very

Pisc.

It appears
betwixt
your

it up

shiningred

; let

therefore cliuse
sunshine

day
to

make

the

make

To

angler who

flyis

but
the

flyas
have

bright

here,put it
made

it.

of it, as

as

thy own
materials, and

flies ;

on, and

you

marvellous

many

"

All this is

But

assured, that

be

various

changed

and

in

go

to

the
a

name

of

an

tackle-shop,and

"

The

now.

do thou, my
honest
friend, learn to
in collectingand
arranging the

shapes

creatures, there is little less pleasurethan

[Note.

deserves

ever

though, when
particulardirections have
excellentlymade by the persons employed by

them

imitating the

hardly
Avho will

can.

for:

in London.

and

he

do,

Subtle, in the
Alchemist," that they want
thing put into their hands that would pose

resemblance

given,I have known

makers
fishing-tackle

are

does

Dapper

they have

to find

make

There

can

better

tender

that,and

such

may

fish in

you

essential,that

so

do

cannot

for which

naturalist
the

also you

England

am

tell the master

been

word

my

in

way
flies on

your

of your

body

it will appear

very gladto hear it ; it is the first that

of this kind in my life.

YiAT.

fly;

make

nothing to

Yery good ! upon

handsome
fly.

stepto the door and hold

dubbing any

this,twhich

as

be

alwaysto

it is worth

made

; but

eye and the sun, and

tell you, never
a man

me

because
sure

in hand

so

colour of

discern the true

black.

and

colours

of

these

in catching fish.
flies sold in the London

even

good.

"

Those

admirable

IT.

tackle-shops

by Blacker, of 54,
be equalled; and the flies of 3Iessrs. Bowness, BellDean-street, Soho, cannot
yard, Mr. Bernard, Church-place, Piccadilly, of Mr. C. Farlow, 191, Strand,
and Mr. Little,Fetter-lane, are killingones.
Ed.]
be accurately
advice.
The colour of feathers, fur, etc., cannot
t Excellent
them
the
In
ferently
at
through
ascertained, except by looking
mixing diflight.
coloured
bits of dubbing a good light,natural
is necessary.
artificial,
or
are

generallygood,

some

very

"

"

Ed.

made

COMPLETE

THE

Pisc.

Away,

much,

commend

you

too

it on, and

you

shall

now

the rocks below

follow

you

throw

under

me

are

to

heed

of
:

now

the water
and

over,

are

you

twixt
be-

there,and

see

into
slipping

so,

Come, put

streams

some

the littlefoot-bridge
you

this rock

I will not

downward

go

Take

fortune.

try your

doctor at it ; but
lest I make you proud.

! you

away

277

ANGLER.

as
now

in.

YiAT.

This is

fine stream

indeed

there's

"

I have

one

him.
Pisc.
I

And

you have
e'en throw
him
see

worthy
me

now.

tender hand

again,and
anger.*

your

ViAT.

catch
precious

in

Pardon

you have of him ; pullhim out !

: this is a diminutive
gentleman,
let him

all'sfish that
sir,

me,

till he

grow

be

to the hook

comes

more

with

Another.

"

Pisc.

And

ViAT.

of the

standing.

same

I shall have

see

grayling.Why,

you

have

good sport now

another

! and

fish here at will.

the
the bridge,and go down
Come, come, cross
and better
other side lower, where you will find finer streams
sport,I hope than this. Look you, sir,here is a fine stream
now, you have lengthenough, stand a little further off,let
and
like an artist,
entreat
me
you, and do but fish this stream
Pisc.

peradventurea good fish may

! is all gone ?
ViAT. No, but I touched

fall to your share.

How

"

now

what

taking.
Pisc. Why
you

are

that

was

fish worth

me

to ofier to strike

never

; but

tell you, you lost that fish by your

through your own
eagerness and haste ; for
let

now,

fault,and

own

him

himself,tillyou first see

him

if he
good fish,

turn

his head

do not

strike

after he has taken

strain your tackle in the

fly,and then you can never
of moderation. t
if you
strike with
manner
striking,
any
Come, throw in once again,and fislime this stream by inches ;
and grayfor I assure
ling
you here are very good fish ; both trout
your

lie here ; and at that

ten

to

one

great stone

good trout givesyou

the

on

the other

side,it is

meeting.

He contemns
to have been a real sportsman.
proves Cotton
passage
"
Viator
a novice,
being
in
small
and
throw
them
again."
fish,
catching
says,
in
discredit
gentlemen,"and it is quite in
no
capturing "diminutive
sees
"
All's lisli that
of a young
angler to exclaim,
keeping with the sentiments
now."
Ed.
to the hook
comes
*

This

"

t Pray, reader, attend

to this valuable

counsel.

bMPLETE

278

bottom

by

him

I have

YiAT.
:

I cannot

what

weiglit
; but he
Pisc. Why then,by

makes

his

it is

you

tbe

world, and

the

in

what

who
grayling,

towards the
he is gone down
lieis,yet he should be a good fish
but

now,

see

ANGLEK.

is

great stir.

no

say, I dare venture

you

bigger he is,the

him

YiAT.

never

Pisc. Did
never

saw

me

what

one

you not 1
before in

black about

very
liis bellyof

such this year.

before look
grayling

none

saw

then, let

was

sir,he

black.

so

tell you, that you

; for then a graylingis
down his back ; and has

Why

rightseason
and
head, gills,
gray, dappledwith

his

dark

he

is your
I warrant
good one, sixteen inches long,

taken

I have

fishes

easilytaken.

more

you see him plain; I told you

you, now
boy : and now,
bring hither that landing-net,
j and believe

assure

of the deadest-hearted

one

Look

own

to

me

black

as you
see
sj^ots,
from
thence
he
derives
this is ; and I am
to
conclude
that
apt
his name
this fish
of umber.
tell you
Though I must
a

is past his prime,and beginsto decline,and

at Christmas
than he is now.
But
season
it grows towards
and fine stream

deepestpool in
a

in better

was

on

move

for

dinner

time ; and there is a very great

that rock, that fills the
below, under
all the

river,where

almost

are

you

of

sure

good fish.
YiAT.

Let him

thoughtthat

the

trout,and had
Pisc.

Oh,

but such

no

one

graylinghad

as

fall with

been

in and gone

come

I'll try

come,

alwaysin

out

with

season

would

deceive any

but

with the

him.

is a
a grayling
yourself

assure

I had

But

him.

such

winter fish ;
know
him
as

in his worst
even
very well indeed ; for his flesh,
season, is so
firm,and will so easilycalver,that in plaintruth he is very
good meat at all times : but in his perfectseason
by
(which,
the way, none
but an overgrown
will
I
think
ever
grayling
be),
him

so

that

ever

as
good a fish,

YiAT.
six

to

I tasted in my
Here's another

be

little inferior to the best trout

life.

skipjack
; and I have raised
speaking. Well,
you were

five

or

least while
go thy
littleDove
!
art
the
finest
I saw,
thou
that
river
ever
way,
and the fullest of fish. Indeed,sir,I like it so well,that I
afraid you will be troubled with me
am
once
a year, so
long
as we
two live.
at

more

Pisc. I
a

May

or

am
a

afraid I shall not, sir : but were

here
you once
June, if good sport would tempt you, I should

then expect
you would

sometimes

see

me

; for you

would

then

say it
at the

was

his

why,

I, sir

but

who

Dorus,
* '

If any

What

what

have

so

sport

man

such

we

and

dangerous

taught
may

? and

me

say

by

of the river ! this is

one

are

flyof

you

Damsetas

as

your

says

me,

praisesliave,
I, that taught the

got here ?

pleaseto

you.
there another.

man

you

then have

that

strangeriver,and with

what

one,

was

man

middle

do, if I live,and

all this in

making
YiAT.

There

leave.

Pisc. And

But

T will

Which

giveme

by

tlie

seen

once

height.

ViAT.

own

indeed,if you had

fine river

279

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

rock

!"*

knave

in the

springingup

of the oddest

that
sights

ever

saw.

Pisc.

Why, sir,from

that

PIKE

piketthat

you

see

standinguji

POOL.

Sidney's Arcadia."
"

t It is a rock, in the fashion of a spire-steeple,

and almost as
in the midst of the river Dove
Cotton's
Mr.
not far from
; and
which
place this delicate river takes a swift career
betwixt
rocks, much

It stands

big.
house
many
it was

below

mighty

before
burnt.
higher and bigger than St. Paul's Church
being opposed by one of the highest of them, has, at last,
forced itself a way
through it ; and after a mile's concealment, appears
again
with more
glory and beauty than before that opposition,running through the
most
that this nation can justly
pleasant valleys and most fruitful meadows
And

this

boast

of.

"

[Note.
and

Dove,

"

(Walton,
junior.)
The Dove, or a branch

debouches

castellated

into

mansion

daylight,a
of Mr.

of it,runs

for a short distance under

ground
of Islam
Hall, the beautiful

little northward

Watts

Russell, whose

father,

once

large

and

280

there distant from

Mr.

young
it in

the

Izaak

which
when

ANGLER.

is called Pike

rock, this

Walton

was

to draw

pleasedwith it,as

so

And

Pool.

white, in a blank book I have

he has done several prospectsof my house also,
black and

in
landscape,

home,

at

COMPLETE

THE

as

memorial

keep for a

we

come

YiAT.

Has

of his

favour,and

Izaak

Walton

will show

you

to dinner.

up

master

young

here,too ?

been

he, sir,and that againand again,too,

and in France since,
and at Kome, and at Venice,and I can't
tell where : but I intend to ask him a great many hard questions
God
which
will
I
can
see
so
soon
as
him,
be,
willing,
Pisc.

In

month.

next

these

of this

to

come

great pool,you

must

this fine

venture

over

sir,there you
; believe me,
else you had been down ; but now
you are
if
fish
rise
to yourself
a
: for, on
my word,

cobblingstones
slippery,
nimble, or

got over, look

here,he is like
how

meantime, sir,to

the

at the head

stream

were

has

Yes, marry

to be such

one

will

as

tackle

endangeryour

now

YiAT.

I think

here over
the fishes,
you have such command
that you can
raise them by your word, as they say conjurers
do spirits,
and afterward
make
them
do what you bid
can

them, for here's

lost

What

crown.'"

turned

up

Pisc.

side like

O, sir,this

sometimes

must

has taken

trout

my
luck's this ! he

Pisc.

We

take your
you, from

you
Never

expect to lose.

Sir,will

it

to

pleaseyou
You

come.

was

where

war

the loss of your fly,

for ten
Who's
that calls ?
better.
Serv.

had
a

rather

have

and
lovelyfish,

salmon.

is

fly,I

to

yourselffor

concern

I teach you

one

to dinner

come

hear,sir,we

win, and

sometimes

to

make

and
called,

are

now

choice,whether you will climb this steephill before

the top of which
will go directly
into the
you

house,or back againover

these

and about by
stepping-stones,

the

bridge.
YiAT.
Nay,

stomach

sure,

tells me

rocks,that

your

so

the
; and

nearest

I fear them

am

way
now

not.

opulent soap-boiler of London, built it within

galleryis

one

of the finest in the

to the

and
*

kingdom,

of the late Mrs.

so

is best ; at least my
well acquaintedwith

Watts

the present century.

in the chapel there

and

Ilussell and

Its
is

picturea

ment
monu-

children, by Chantrey,
memory
considered
equal to any of his other statues.
Ed.]
Not taken it in the ordinary angUng acceptation, but taken it off the line

"broken

"

away

with

it,so that both fish and

flyare

lost.
"

Ed.

281

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

have
Come, tlien,follow me ; and so soon
as
we
will down
we
(lined,
again to the little house,where T will
and read you
begin at the placeI left off about fly-fishing,
Pisc.

another
that

more

The

better;I could never

master, my firstexcepted; nor
obliging

say upon

London

afford,as

ever

have

met

with

such

sportcan

is to be found

in

pretty river.

Pisc.

You

deserve

to take
willing

are

to

more

the

more

all the rivers about

this

great deal

subject.

YiAT.
a

lecture ; for I have

better I

hope to

to have

better,both because

and
pains,

show

you

see

you
this
well
little
so
liking
; and

for

before

part.

we

YII.

CHAPTEU

[SecontJ"au.]

Come, sir,having now

in your little house, I will

YiAT.
set

and

entreat

to

you

proceedin

now

your

dined, and

being again
challengeyour promise,
instruction for fly-fishing
;

well

w^hich that you may be the better encouragedto do, I will

of what
I think,one
assure
syllable
you that I have not lost,
; but very well retain all your
you have told me
both for the rod, line,and making a fly;and now

Pisc.
the whole
us;

that the

Why, sir,I
afternoon

for you

and

must

am

to

ready to give it you, and

do it in,if nobody come

know

the
(besides

afternoons,so earlyin March,

anglingwith

of but

desire

an

of the fliesthemselves.

account

To

directions,

fly,tlioughwith

be
might (I confess)
begin,then, where I

twelve

givestheir

rupt
in to inter-

unfitness of the day)

very littlefor
signify

minnow,

or

worm,

thing
some-

done.
left off,
my

artificial flies
names

shall have

only,to

; of which

some

tells us
father Walton
angle with at the top,
with us
common
are

tion,
of them
I guess at most
by his descripthey all breed and are taken in our rivers,
dubbing or
though we do not make them either of the same
it may
And
be in the rivers about London, which
fashion.
he
and where it is likely
he has most frequented,
I presume
here ; and I think
and I believe

282
has done

execution,tliere

most

more

many

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

but

we

for so in
angling,
catch
should,in honesty,

yet

he will

hope
which,as

season

leave

remarkable

token),li did

December, one,

and

only one,

the

best in season, that ever

I
usuallytake trouts too, and with
middle

sooner

of the

of this

of

in
no

March,

a grayling,
in his best

the

by

sixth

very
day of

and
biggestgraylings,

yet

saw

tasted ; and do
only before the

or

not
fly,

that

to

to take

take,upon

once

names,

great master
you

of

here,

addition

in the middle

trout

man

by
by an

I told you, is in the dead months

do assure
you (whichI remember

and

give a

other

is,tells

truth he

of

art

man

amends

you
forenamed
the
although

catalogue. And

the

of his

some

notice taken

several others

with
acquainted

are

though perhapsI may reckon

too ; but if I do, I shall make
his

much

is not

month, but almost

every year in February,

unless it be a very ill springindeed ; and have sometimes
in
January,so earlyas New-year'stide,and in frost and snow,

taken

in
grayling

about

noon
; and
best time of all.

sunshine

warm

to fish for him

for

day

with

hour

an

two

or

grub,it is then

the

I shall therefore

with that month,

begin my fiy-fishing
I
confess
though
very few begin so soon, and that such as are
fond
of
the
so
can
sport as to embrace all opportunities,
in
that
month
find a day fit for their purpose; and tell
rarely
that upon
hour or two

my knowledgethese fliesin a
in the day,are certainly
taken.

you,
an

sun, for

warm

JANUARY.

Red

1. A
almost

Brown,

white

the

with

wings

dubbingof

of the

the tail of

of

male
a

black

mallard

long-coated

muflfs
cur, such as they commonly make
the tail of such a dog dies and turns to a

of; for the hair

hair of

colour will not

because

smooth-coated

There

in

warm

is also

red-brown,

on

the

same
do,
dog
die,but retains its natural colour,and this

it will not

flyis taken

of the

but

sun, this whole

month

through.

Gnat, as littleas
very littleBright Dun
be made, so little as never
can
to be fished with, with
possibly
above one hair next
the hook ; and this is to be made
of a
mixed
with
how

dubbingof
a

very

white

marten's
and

fine you fish,

for
grayling
; and of them

fur,and the
small wing ; and

nothingwill
I never,

white
it is

rise in

of

hare's scut,

great matter
this month, but a

at this season,

no

saw

any

taken

with

fly,of

above

in my

long

foot

283

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

life: but of little ones

day, and a glowing

bignessof a smelt,in a warm
and they are
take enough with these two flies,
you may
taken the whole month
through.'^*
the

about
sun,

both

rEERUARY.

the red- brown

1. Where

of the

almost

dubbing
both

should

ends, another

begins,with this saving,that the

of something a blacker colour,and
with red silk. The dubbing that

colour

same

of this must

of them

last month

of the

be

wrapped on
this fly,
and

colour,is to be
got ofl*the black spot of a hog'sear : not that a black spot in
colour,but that
any part of the hog will not afford the same
and more
the hair in that place is,by many
softer,
degrees,
make

that is the truest

His wing must

be as the other [1.in
purpose.
January]; and this kills all this month, and is called the
fit for the

lesser red-brown.
2. This

with
whirl

of

body, either

ostrich

an

all,will

over

black

rough

made
palmer-fly,
fur,or the
spaniel's

month, also,a plainhackle, or

of black

feather,and

the

kill,
and,if the weather

red

hackle

of

make
be right,

capon

very

good

sport.
3. Also

lesser

that,and

over

the month

hackle,with

red feather

be open, and

black

body,also

silver twist

fillyour pannier,
if
bound
up in ice and snow, with
of a frost and snow,
you are to

over

not

will
all,

good fish ; but, in case

angleonly with the smallest gnats,browns, and duns you can
make ; and with those are only to expect graylings
no
bigger
very

than

sprats.
4. In this month, upon a whirlinground water, we have a
great hackle,the body black,and wrapped with a red feather
of a capon untrimmed
; that is,the whole lengthof the hackle

staringout
all

sometimes

; sometimes

over

I do not

this month.
either

(forwe

think
Trout

for sport or
days, with

barb

it necessary
in such
are
food

it

to

the hackle-feather

barb

and
only a little,

describe

ill-condition

Grayling

may

short
barb

sometimes

patterns of any trout-flies for

to be entirely worthless
as
now,
of fine
be caught in the middle
the

gentles, small artificial duns, and with a little " soldier

thus :
Body, bronze-coloured
peacock harl, ribbed with fine
two
hackles, struck with strict
very small black-red, or furnace

January

palmer," made
gold twist, and
regularity from tail to
palmer is a general lure
"

months.

"

Ed.

shoulder.

Hooks,

for trout, dace, and

ten,

roach

eleven,
in

twelve.

the summer

This
and

little

autumn

284

the

top or back

of the

occasion serves, kills very great fish.

5. We
make
use, also,in this month,

as

hackle,the body black,and ribbed

a

it swim

makes

which
fly,

red feather
6. Also

another

of

great

gold twist

and

great execution.
dun bear s hair,and

the

with

over

with

great dun, made

better,and,

also does

all ; which

over

the feather

length of

whole

underneath),
leavingthe

it close
on

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

his tail ;
unto
near
grey feather of a mallard
be thrown
which is absolutely
the best flycan
upon a river
this month, and with which
an
anglershall have admirable

wings

of the

sport.
7. We

also this month

have

of bear's hair next

of the bottom
a

little blue

bing
great blue dun, the dub-

the

camlet,the wings of

to the

with

grey feather of

dark

roots,mixed

mallard.
8. We

have

the brown

also this month

hair ofl*the flank of

brended

of the grey drake's feather.

And
note, that these several
for

some

and

water

one

accordingto

the

dark-brown, the dubbing of

for another

some

alter

change of those, we

the

wings

are
palmer-flies,

hackles,or

sky,and

one

and

cow,

and,

their size and

colour ; and note also,that both in this,

and all other months
of the year, when
do not certainlyknow
what
fly is
you

taken,or cannot see any fish to rise,you are then to put on a

if the water
small liackle,
be clear,or a biggerif something
dark, until you have taken one ; and then thrustingyour
to pull out
his gorge, which
fingerthrough his gills,
being
with
will
then
discover
what
knife,you
opened
flyis
your
taken, and may fit yourselfaccordingly.
For the making of a hackle,or palmer-fly,
my father Walton

has

sufficient direction.'"'

alreadygivenyou

[I am

not

very

favourable

simplehackles,or

to

"either in this month, or in March.

I consider them
Indeed
summer

But, with
of, unless we
*

for

to take

page 88, which

viz., caterpillarswith

and
terms

absurd

of the
Hawkins.

supposing you
same

and

good leave, he

that

making,

seen,

John

]Mr. Cotton's
are

I would

for
can

autumn

has

not,

palmer, which

do

never

wings.
would

not

to any sort of palmers,

use
palmers until April.

baits.

They

make

repre-

nor
any author that I know
Walton
has given directions

till I see, what

I have

Rejecting, therefore, wings

the plain hackle
doing it is as

of
import, the method
But I rejecthis instructions

are

or

as

never

yet

unnatural

palmer, which are

So far. Sir
:

follows

for making
tute
substia hackle, and
at
found
the
end
will
of
be
this
the
They
plate
work, following
my
on
which
are
engraved diagrams of winged flies and hackle in their first,
middle, and last stages of manufacture.
Ed.
own.

"

THE

COMPLETE

285

ANGLER.

seutatious of

caterpillars,
produced in warm
weather, and very rarely
in April. Cotton
ours
givesa list of eightflics
do
I
like
of
not
I will give four patterns
them.
February.
any one
in this climate of

found
for

for this month,

No.

its wing;

warped

dyed

Hooks, 8, 9,
mottled

silver tinsel.

No.

with

fierybrown

9 and

Hooks,

10.

of the hare's ear, to be pickedout at the

fibres of the mallard feather.
Hooks, same
No. 4.

and

Wings

of orange
11." Ed.]

and

10

legs,brown

size

mottled

mohair, and

mixture

silk ;

a
legs,

hackle-

starling's
wing-feather; tail,two
dark
olive mohair, tipped
; body,
A good flyon a brightday.
woodcock's wing ; body, dark fur
shoulder ; goldtip,and tail,
two

mallard's feather

reddest feather of the

Whigs,

3.

feather of the mallard, found

fur and claret mohair"
squirrel's

10.

of
Wings, standingupright,

2.

fibres of the
with

mottled
of red

mixture

bodj',
hoop to the wings

the

up

claret.

No.

of their attractiveness,

Wings, a lightbrown,

1.

under

confident

dark

as

those of No.

2.

partridgeback-feather

and

lighthare's

ear

fur.

body,

Hooks,

MARCH.

For
with

this montli
the other

1. We

to make

are

you

all the

use

is

(though it is not

them

be of the bottom

must

less.
little dun, called

the

whirlingdun, indeed,
bing
have); and for this the dub-

of the best flieswe

one

hackles and flies

same

have, besides,for this month,

whirlingdun
which

but

to

are

you

fur of

tail ;
squirrel's

and

the

wing, of

the grey feather of a drake.

2. Also a briglit
brown ; the dubbing either of the brown

of

or
spaniel,

that of

red cow's

flank,with

a grey wing.
made
of
of
the
camel's hair ;
roots
a
;
the wings,of the grey feather of a mallard.

3. Also
and

whitish

4. There

hairs

this montli

absolute

of Isabella-coloured

be made
in

and

dun

is also for

fly; the dubbing an

; of

black,mixed

mohair

; the

great repute amongst us

is,besides this,another

5. There

it is made

of which

comb, and with

being thus

it comb

the

that sticks in the teeth

the down

The

saw.

ever

you

and

he is taken

wings of

about

the

this

tenth

little as

as

admirable

An

ten
can

fly,

Dux, tlie dubbing

got. Take

of

eight or

killer.

Blue

to be

neck

with

body

bright mallard's feather.

for

the thorn-tree

flycalled

black

small-tooth

greyhound,and

will be the flnest blue

hardlybe

flycan
of this

month,

too

and

that

white,
lasteth

tillthe four-and- twentieth.

6. From
is taken
of

black

the tenth

littleBlack

of this month

Gnat

the
or
v/ater-dog,

; the

down

also,tilltowards

the

end,

dubbing either of the fur

of

young

black

water-

286

the

body
short

as

as

as

use

we

out

white

as

also to the end

of this month

for the

best,which

to be

so

may be,
the wings

as

it,and

make

can
possibly

the lime will turn

calf,which
is

mallard

Biiovf n j the dubbing for which

and of the hair of
skinner's lime-pits,

gold :

Bright

of

little as you
his body.
the sixteenth

7. From

of

of the male

wing

coot, the

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of

it,

is to be had
an

abortive

to shine like

brightas

the feather of a brown

wings of this fly,
flyis taken tillthe tenth of April.

hen

in sharp,gravelly,
somewhat
chiefly
lie
clean
to
themselves
On their bottoms they
shallow streams.
by
small fish etc.,and to enjoy
to feed on
friction againstsand and gravel,
the watery element, more
oxygenated than deep pools,
by the action of a

this month,
flieseagerly

[Trouttakes

The best fliesfor this month

rays.
Fancy.
1. Hofland's
Wings, woodcock's

springtidesun's
No.

red

cOck's hackle

fibres of the red

hackle.

the trout streams

2. The

of the

Red

; body, dark, brown-red

This is
Hook, No. 10.

"

wing-feather
; legs,

"

bright

No.

are,

floss silk
a

standard

tail,two

flyfor

all

metropolitancounties.

Spii^neh.

"

brown mallard; body,scarlet

Wings, light
; legs,blood-red hackle ; tail,two

mohair, ribbed with thin gold wire

fibres of the same.
Hook, 9 and 10.
No.

3.

Wings, a

fieldfare's wing-feather
;

floss
body, orange-coloured

silk,over v/hich,in close,regularlaps from tail to shoulder,a furnacehackle,that is a cock's neck leather,the outer part of the fibres of which
of a pure dark red, the inner part,next the stem of the feather,being
are
lent
quiteblack. It is a most valuable feather. Hook, No. 10. An excel-

generalfly.
dun hackle,with
a
Wings, hen pheasant's
wing-feather
; legs,
fur of the water
dark bars ; body,light-blue
rat, mixed with yellow
of
two
fibres
mohair
the
hackle
used
for
legs. Hook, 10.
; tail,
No. 5. CoCH-Y-BoNDDHiJ.
tied buzz; legs
Wings, a furnace-hackle,
feather ; body short,of black ostrich and brightbronze peacock
the same
hard, twisted together; goldtip; and hooks, 10 and 11.
Mahch-bhow^k.
No. 6. The
Wings, standing erect, of the hen
wing or tail-feather;
body, pale orange moliair mixed with
pheasant's
reddish fur from the hare's poll; legs,
a pure
two
honeydun hackle ; tail,
fibres of the pheasant's
wing. Hooks, 7,8, 9, and 10.
No.

4.

"

"

I consider this the best of all fliesfrom

the middle of March

to the end

When
April,with the exceptionof the oak-flyfor the latter month.
the natural flyis on the water in great abundance,it is taken by trout
or green
as eagerlyas the Mayfl^^,
drake,in May and June.
I esteem it
will
I
other
two
that
of
it.
so highly,
give
dressing
ways
1st. Blackeh's
way.
Wings, hen pheasant'swing-featheror gre}^
mottled
partridgefeather ; body, lightand dark hare's-ear fur, mixed
with a littledark yellowmohair, and ribbed with paleyellowsilk
; legs,
small brown
partridgeback -feather ; tail,two fibres of brown mottled
of

"

mallard's feather.

Hooks, 9 and

10.

THE

2ncl. Blaine's
hen

tridge,
or

COMPLETE

287

ANGLEE.

Wings, mottled feather from the tail of a i^arupright; body,light fur and red squirrel's
with yellowsilk ; legs,a grizzled
dun-hackle,and

way.

"

pheasant,set

fur mixed, and ribbed

tail,whisks of tw^o fibres of the

feather the

made

wings are

of.

Hook,

No. 6.
When
it

the natural

eagerly,I
the

on

would

well out

upon the water, and trout taking

three of the above patterns one
of each

flywas
fish with

at the
casting-line

"

time, using

same

the

largestfor

stretcher.

taken

March

~Ed.]
APRIL.

All the

hackles

same

will be taken

and

flies that

in this month

also,with

that all the

concerningthe flies,
and the duns with yellow.
silk,
1. To
with
very

these

small Bright

lightgrey wing,in
well taken.
a

2. We

have

colour,and

too

browns

littleDark

Brown,
mixed,

grey feather of a mallard.

3. From
the sixth of this month
a

flycalled

the

the

4. About
of

Dun, which

day,all this

June, and

fox- cub, which

is of

ribbed

about

yellow

dubbingof that
the wing,of the

tenth,we

dark

violet

with

with
stufi",

in the

comes

is commonly made

yellow

camlet

have also

mallard.

flycalled

of the down

or

silk ; the

of the

the

skin,

wings,of the

pale

ash colour at the roots

an

fur,
spaniel's

clear water, is

day,about the midfrom thence

through,and, by fits,

grey feather of a mallard.

5. There is also a Yellow

hair,and

of

red

is taken every

month

to the end of

and

of
a

and

only

lapped with

the

to the

the twelfth of this month

the Whirling
time

Yiolet-fly,made

of the grey feather of

wings

be

brightday,and

this distinction

Brown^, made

violet camlet

some

v/ere

next

Dun, the dubbing of camel's

woo], mixed, and a white-grey

wing.
6. There
besides

that

is

also

this

mentioned

month

another

before,made

Brown,

Little

with

very

slender

and violet camlet,mixed,

body, the dubbingof dark brown
and a grey wing,which, though the direction for the making
and will take when
the other, is yet another fly,
be near
the other will not, especially
in a brightday and a clear
water.

of this month
comes
HoRSE-FLESH-FLY
; the dubbing of which is
and red tammy
with pink-coloured
mixed, a

7. About

in

the twentieth

flycalled
blue mohair,
a

lightcoloured

288

the month

is taken

best

in

an

tilltwilight,

before sunset

hours

two

flyis taken

This

head.

wing, and a dark brown

evening,and kills from
and

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

through.

April the best month in the

of trout,
number
I mean
for catchingthe largest
year for fly-fishing
and stillless the highest
in condition.
in size,
the largest
but by no means
until after they have fed
Trout, in Englishrivers,are not in full season
and fattened on the Mayfly say from the 15th of June to the 15th of
is not

above

[The

list of flies for

bad

"

"

"

August.
them

written

list of fliesI have

The

the

for March

ones
appropriate

followingmore

will

kill in

Add

April.

to

"

of a
flat,of the wing-feather
Wings,
with
dark
young partridgeor hen pheasant; body,yellowmohair, ribbed
the
round
thrice
at
brown
silk ; legs,
shoulder;
hackle,
a honey-dun
lapped
This is a favourite flyof mine.
Hooks, 9 and 10.
tip,pale goldtwist.
I never
fish without tryingit.
In Ax^ril
dressed
Sto:n"E-ely.
No. 2. The
tail-feather,
Wings, hen pheasant's
and
of
and
full
mixture
of
flat
and
a
long,
light
long
; body, large,
hare's-ear fur and yellow-brown
a
mohair, ribbed with yellowsilk ; legs,
two fibres of brown
mallard.
hackle ; and tail,
brown-red
Hooks, 6, 7,
and 8.
the tail should have more
The fur near
yellow in it than the
in small,deep,
middle
or
part of the body. A good spring-fly
upper
Its reputation
is greater than it deserves.
thicklywooded streams.
Cock-tail.
No. 3. Cahshalton
Wings, lightfibres,
standingerect,
of the hen starling's
fur,taper and
wing-feather
; body,lightblue dun
silk
with
of
ribbed
three
and
a
thin,
small,pale dunyellow
laps
; legs,
A capital
Hooks, 11 and 12.
hackle; tail,two fibres of the same.
low
water.
at
generalfly
Oak-fly.

1. The

No.

to lie

"

"

"

4. Alder-ely.

No.

Wings, flatand

"

sets ; lower

two

starling's
wing-

or hen
; upper, either landrail's wing, partridgered tail-feather,
or bronze peacock
pheasant'sditto ; body,either bronze coloured flosssilk,

feather

harl,to be dressed full and tapering; legs,black hackle

of the same.
Hooks, 9 and 10.
No.

5. Sand-ply.

body,a
No.

fur,over
mallard

of brown

mixture

gingerhackle
6.

various

which,

shoulder,blood-red

at

Hooks

sizes and
in

and

the best

polland

wing-feather
;
mohair

orange

This

"

is

very

and
good fly,

will

body.

palmers,are

imitations

of

of
caterpillars'"

They answer
deep
I have l)ut a
wooded.
densely
mountainous
streams, particularly
best in

and

somewhat

poor

opinion

ones.

The

goldtwist

and

"

Body, black

"

feather; body,blue mole's

fibres of the
; tail,two

banks

long fibred

Palmer.

10.

mohair

hackle

colours.

rapid,clear

Palmer.

black cock's
Brown

brown-red

artificial baits,called

are
following

Black

the hare's

legs. Hooks, 8, 9,
Wings, lightgrey mottled mallard

feather.

landrail's

fibres

10.

streams, with
sluggish
of them

fur from

for

also kill well with

The

Wings, sandy-coloured

"

tail,two

hackle.

ostrich harl,ribbed with

Hooks, from 4 to 8.

Body, amber-brown

mohair,ribbed

with

gold and

THE

COMPLETE

tail to

silver twist,by which, from

Hook as before.
Palmee.

Red

Palmeii.

Peacock

peacock harl,ribbed
hackle

Body, a
with
closely
in

Ed.]

"

brown

red

cock's hackle.

mohair, ribbed with

Hook

as

brilliant bronze

"

inch

an

head, a

blood-red hackle.

head, of red mohair;

dressed full,and
chub.

red

Body, deep

"

is to be wound

which

289

ANGLER.

and

full-fibred

azure

silver

tinsel,
by which
tying silk,red. Hook

length,it will lure

gold twist,by

before.

dark

a
as

grizzled

before.

largeThames

trout

If
and

MAY.

that we are enteringinto tliemonth

of
now, sir,
to beg not only your attention,
I think it requisite
but
And

best

your

for I must

patience;

be

now

May,
also

littletedious with

longerthan ordinary; which,

you, and dwell upon this month
that you may the better endure, I must
tell you, this month
deserves and requires
to be insisted on ; forasmuch
as it alone,
and

afford
following,

the next

than

all the

rest

of the

account

here

and

pleasureto

more

it

is,that

and
green-drake,

you

the
to

are

fly-angler
expect an

stone-fly,
promised you

so

others that are

peculiarto this month,
long ago, and some
and part of the month
following
; and that,though not so

great either
the

in bulk

or

before-named

two

do

with
yet stand in competition
so, that it is yet undecided

name,

; and

to which
amongst the anglers,

of the May-fly

I, where

dare

properlyand

it does
so

of the

many

got in disputeabout

are

of the

the

learned

to the title
pretenders
neither
duly belong;'"'
in this art of angling

controversy,take

me

upon

to

determine
; but I think I ought to have a vote amongst them,
shall give you
and accordingto that privilege,
nion
my free opi; and

incline

to

YiAT.
these

peradventurewhen I have
think me
in.the right.

I have

so

great

matters, that I

the

more

can

never

must

To

drake.

"

to your

judgment in
opinion; and

deference

always be

Why

that's

of

encouragement enough ; and

yourselffor a tedious lecture ; but

fliesof less esteem, though almost

May,

all,you may

your
for I
I
to my
attention,
you speak,the faster
grow
of hearingyou upon this subject.
be weavy

Pisc.

in

told you

that

the
Ed.

I may

EpJumem

anythingwill

afterw^ards insist the

now
viilcjata,

now

prepare
the

I will first begin with

commonly

take

longerupon

called the

trout

those of

May-fly,and

green

290
and

greater note
1

The

with

stuff,and lapt about

month, is called
out of

dubbing ravelled

the

TuKKEY-FLY,

therefore,that the first

know

reputation;

take notice of in this

flywe

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

yellowsilk ;

blue

some

wings,of

the

grey

mallard's feather.

Next,

2.

dyed yellow,with

feather

"3. Then
the

and

wings, of

Ely, the

Black

Palmer-fly, with
largewings, of a

or

gold twist,and

with

ribbed

body

Hackle

Great

yellow

mallard's

red

capon'shackle over all.

fur
dubbingof a black spaniel's

grey mallard's feather.

Brown, with a slender body, the

small red silk,and raised with
the

that, a Light

4. After

dubbing twirled upon

of silk may
point of a needle,that the ribs or rows
appear
feather
mallard.
of
the
of
the
the
wings,
through ;
grey
Little
5. Next, a
Dun, the dubbing of a bear's dun

yellowsilk ;

whirled
a

upon
mallard.
6. Then

White

the

Gnat,

wings, of

with

the

grey feather of

palewing, and

black

head.
is also in this

7. There
fly

the

body

red head j and

have
8. We

made
then

with

and

littleblue and
horns

two

whirl

wings,of

of the Dun-cut

name

of

month,

flycalled the Peacockfeather,with

peacock's

of

mallard's

another

feather.

fly,known
killing

very

dubbing of
yellowmixed with
; the

at the

head, made

which
it ;

by

is a bear's

the

dun,

largedun

of the hairs

of

wing,
squirrel's

tail.
9. The

next, is

feather
peacock's
red hackle
10. We
"

;. the

month,

trout

and

red

body,of a
of the
or
feather,
strips

then, the Cow-dung-fly

; the

dubbing,light

; the wing,the dark grey feather of

And
note, that besides these above mentioned,
hackles and flies,
the hackles only brighter,
and

same

Stone-fly

wing, of

little fly; the

cock.

the flies smaller,that

this

Cow-lady,

yellowmixed

mallard.

all the

have

and

brown
a

of

as

and

are

all browns

taken
and

in

April,will

duns

Green-drake, which

grayling,and

Derbyshirerivers,than

in their
all the

season

and
are

also be taken
I

now

to my

come

the matadores

kill

more

rest,past and

fish in

to come,

for
our

in the

whole

year besides.
But first I am
to tell you, that
which contend for the title of the

we

have four

several flies

May-fly; namely,
"

And

The

Green-drake.

The

Stone-fly.

The

Black-fly, and

The

littleyellowMay-fly.

all these have

and

champions and

their

priority
; though I do

plead their

advocates

last-named

they do in their
month, or

sometimes

are

betwixt
and

sooner,

dispute

why
manifestly

havingso

the wonderful

cution
exe-

season.

1 1. Of these the Green-drake

of this

to

understand

not

should ; the first two

the advantage,both in their beauty,and
the two

291

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

in about the twentieth

comes

that and the latter end ; for they

sometimes
to the
later,according

the year ; but never

well taken tilltowards the end
of this month, and the beginningof June.
The Stone-fly

qualityof
comes

much

never

well taken

sooner,

so

long as

so

us,

there

as

sometimes

in

in the

Now
think

any

of June

be

to

seen

but

April;
May,

of

and

is

tinues
con-

stayswith
indeed,so long-

; and

upon

artificialfly,
and late

an

at

the water

or
night,

; and

before

rise
sun-

morning, longer.

both these
not

almost

of them

of

the Green-drake

longerthan

to the end

are

the middle

till towards

to kill much

the middle

earlyas

all,are

and I believe
flies,

otliers,
thoughI
in the

and demonstratively
bred
certainly

very rivers where theyare taken

lie under stones
in the bottom

turninginto

many

those two

cadis

: our

or

cod-bait which

of the water, most of tjiem

in the husk,
and being gathered
flies,

very easily
and are, of all other,the most remarkable,
distinguished,
the
of
both for their size,
allother
as being
biggest,
the shortest of them being a full inch long or more
; and for
the

crust, near

or

known

the

execution

more
never

of their

they do, the

greedyof them
feeds fat,
nor

fliescome
Of

time

maturity,are

and

than

of any

comes

and

trout

graylingbeing much

others;and indeed

into his

season,
perfect

the trout
till these

in.

these the

Green-drake

never

discloses from

his

husk,

tillhe be firstthere grown

to full maturity,
body,wings,and
but with his wings so
all ; and then he creeps out of his cell,

crimpt

and

ruflied,
by being prest togetherin that

narrow

useless to him ;
that they are, for some
hours, totally
room,
he is compelled either to creep upon the
by which means
and
sedges,
flags,
bottom

from
the
of grass, if his firstrising
be near
the banks of the river,tillthe

blades

of the water

292
air and

stiffen and

sim

above
upon
are

be in the

middle, he then

lies

can, until his

the Stone-fly

as

flywith (ifby

some

interim,which

the

to

or, if his first appearance

at hull ; for his feet

the surface of the water like a shij)
useless to him there,and he cannot creep upon the
totally

water
to

them

smooth

happen

water

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

ten

trout

or

to

he

one

his

closed exact

high,and

upon
is the
in flying

wings have got stiffness

graylinghe be not taken in
and then his wings stand
is),
and
back, like the butterfly,
His

body is,in some, of a

paler,in others,of a darker yellow; for they are not all
exactlyof a colour,ribbed with rows of green, long,slender,
at the end of which
he
and growingsharp towards the tail,
of a very dark colour,almost
has three long small whisks
his motion

same.

black,and his tail turns up towards his back like a mallard ;

he has his name
of the Greenfrom whence, questionless,
drake.
These,as I think I told you before,we commonly
dape, or dibble with, and having gatheredgreat store of
to give
them into a long draw-box, with holes in the cover
them

air

night

or

(wherealso they will

more),we take them

bait them

thus

the

upon

fish with

continue

thence

out

hook.

of them

fresh and

We

by

vigorousa
wings,and

the

first take

(forwe

one

and
time),

commonly
puttingthe
point of the hook into the thickest part of his body, under
it directly
of his wings,run
one
through,and out at the other
the hook ; and then
side,leavinghim spittedcross
upon
two

takingthe other,put
his head

the

the

upon
hour

dry,both
wet

is

; in which

hook, and playwith

; but you

when

from
you

must

after the

on

contrary way

more

or

him

at

same

manner,

but with

posture they will live

their
have

wings,for a quarter of an
to keep their wings
a care

the water, and also that your fingersbe not

take them out to bait them, for then your bait

spoiled."^

preceding paragraphs are worthy of Cotton's reputation. They

good description of the natural May-fly,or Green-Drake, and teach
that flyis to be angled Avith in a live state.
how
His
method
of making it
is not
the best, in my judgment.
I have
written
artificially
fully,carefully,
*

The

contain

two

Handbook
accuratelyas may be, of the May-fly in "A
of
Angling," saying it, " This famous flyis the opprobrium of fly-makers.
in my
how
they will,they cannot
opinion, imitate it well.
The
wings

and,

I think,

as

"

their

greatest foil.

In

making

of

Try
are

the

body, they succeed tolerably well.

Still
the best imitation is defective,and, except upon certain occasions, the artificial
May-fly is not a deadly bait. The natural flyused in dibbing far surpasses it.
the natural fly is scarce
However, the imitation, faulty as it is,will kill when
the water, as in cold, dark, windy days.
on
The artificial flyanswers
best in
currents, and in pools or deeps that are moved
to small waves
by a bluff* south
or

west

wind.

The

general feather

used

for the

wings

of this

flyis

dappled

THE

Having now
am

anglewith

to

tell you next how to make

resemble him, as to
perfectly

so

windy

day, when

be found
and

how

to

now

will

told you

about

with

the banks

which

you
river.
in the
grayling

The

be taken

in

lie upon

and

shall

an

flyalive,I
that
artificial fly,
this

the water,
to
sides of the river,

flies can

no

293

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

kill the
certainly

rough

nor
a

to

are

wonder

;\

and-*

best trout

artificial Geeex-drake,

then, is made upon a large

hook, the dubbing,camel's hair,bright bear's hair,the soft
down
that is combed
and yellowcamlet,
from a hog's
bristles,
well mixed

silk,or

green
whisks
the

dyed thus :
of a barbary tree,and

the root

found

on

Boil two

by the followingrecipe:
a
quart of soft water

"

in

water

the

then

boil them

wash

wings

of

the

is the

colour

true

three

or

the

handfuls

of

feathers

mallard

short time, with

as

it,and put tawalnut, and boil your

shave

mallard, and dyed a pale'

to
great difficulty.How
I must
be content to cite the best authorities.
First,
capitaljudge of colours,who dyes his feathers yellow
hit the

I will take

alum

the

under

To

not.
it,I know
Mr. Blacker, a

over

much

as

sides

the

yellow-greencolour.
get

wax

is also to be

woody viss,with

one,

with

about

fitchet ; and
of the longhairs of sables,
or
tail,
feather of a mallard,dyed yellow,
a white-grey

wings,of

Take
it

rather

of the

which

body long,and ribbed

yellow,waxed with green

the

together;

yellow wood
with

large spoonfulof

soap
alum

hour

one

and
and

warm

tartar,

them
holding pint of water; take them out, and immerse
in your yellow decoction, and simmer
The shorter
slowly for an hour or two.
the simmering, the paler the yellow of the feathers ; take them
out, and wash
in

them
a

little pipkin

in clean hard

little blue,

yellow.

more

Mr.

When

water.
or

there

is occasion

less,according to the shade

Ronald's

'

for dyeing

of green you
Fly-iisher's
Entomology,' recommends

add
yclloiv-green,
wish

to

give the

another

way

a
dyeing mallard's feathers for the May-fly's wings. He tells us to make
of alum
in a pint of water, and
mordant, by dissolvinga quarter of an ounce
then to slightly
boil the feathers in it to get the grease out of them, after which
to boil them
in an infusion of fustic to procure
a
yellow,and then subduing
infusion.
the brightness of the yellow by adding a little copperas
to the
the
make
:
the
to
I'll
tell
fly
Body,
now
Having
wing-feathersdyed,
you how
thin
floss
with
a
ribbed
light
or
mohair,
bright yellow
silk,
sparingly
very
bronze
of the mallard, dyed a pale
feather
peacock's harl ; wings, mottled
yellow-green. They are to stand erect, and be slightlydivided ; legs,a couple
of turns, close under
the wings, of a light red ginger hackle ; tail-whisks

for

"

Another
6, 7, and 8.
way
Body, yellow-greenmohair ; wings, mallard's feather dyed yellow ; a black
bear's-skin.
A
head ; legs,a yellowish hackle ; tail,three hairs from
a black

three

black

hairs from

rabbit's whisker.

Hooks,

"

tying silk; wings, as

Body, yellow floss silk,ribbed with brown
head, bronze
before;
before; legs, a yellow, grizzled dun
hackle; tail, as
of
the
the
season
harl
and
hooks
before.
as
May-fly,I
During
peacock
;
third way,

"

I should then have

three flies of different sizes and colours,
the preferablefly." I
of success, and could ascertain which
was
In small,
than in England.
is of greener hue
think the May-fly of Ireland
well wooded
rivers of mild temperature, the May-fly grows
to a largersize than
would
three

in

angle with

chances

exposed, wide

rivers in our

colder

counties.

"

Ed.

294
feathers in it with

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

of

they will be

; and

rain water

very fine

yellow.
I have

with

done

now

the

Green-drake,exceptingto tell
hours during his season, whilst

you, that he is taken at all

the sky ; and with a made-flyI once
there is any day upon
took, ten days after he was absolutely
gone, in a cloudy day,
after

wind, five-and-thirty
whistling
very
the
and
of
clock
between
five
eight
graylings,

great trout and

in the
three

in

shower, and

evening,and had no less than

taken from
good hairs a-piece,

five

six

with
flies,
despiteof my

or

in

me

heart,besides.
but there is
Stone-fly,
of necessity
come
another gentleman in my way, that must
in between, and that is the Grey-drake, which in all shapes
with the other,but quite
the same
and dimensions is perfectly
livid
almost of another colour,being of a palerand more
yellowand green, and ribbed with black quitedown his body,
with black shiningwings,and so diaphanousand tender,
of use for daping;
cobweb-like,that they are of no manner
should

12.1

but

now

in,and

come

taken

are

to the

next

come

Green-drake,and

after the

in

an

bing
artificialflykill very well ; which flyis thus made, the duband black spaniel's
of the down of a hog'sbristles,
fur,

mixed, and ribbed down

of the hairs of the beard

black-greyfeather
And

now

No, truly,sir,I

if you

think
refresh

to

afterwards

which

can

yourselfwith

glass
; and, sir,my

have, I beseech

tions
remaininginstruc-

glassand

I shall be

of

hearingyou.
too

am

some,
trouble-

pipe,you may
exceedingly
pleasedto

sir,for that motion

dry with talking: here,boy

am

if I

the

afraid I have

am

be weary
afraid I

never
am

wings of

other time.
I

you,

; but

will defer the

because
flt,

proceed,and

hear you.
Pisc. I thank

patience;

your

tell me
freely
so, and I
for flyanglingtillsome

YiAT.
But

silk,the whisks
the

black cat,and
mallard.
of

to the Stone-fly

come

alreadywearied
you

of

black

body with

the

giveus

service to you, and

for,believe
here

to all

me,

bottle and

friends in

our

the south.
YiAT.

Your

servant, sir ; and I'llpledgeyou

good powdered beef

has made me
else,
thirsty.

for the

[To Mr.

Cotton's listof fliesfor

I eat

May,

at

as

dinner,

add the

or

heartily
;
something

:
followiDg
"

COMPLETE

THE

No.

floss
Body, gold-coloured

1.

hackle, from

grouse

is

and
grouse-hackle,

No.

Body

2.

good summer

varied with

orange

excellent

an

summer

flyat

be dressed small

legs,lightbrown

Hook,

This

10.

is the

low water.
mottled

as

flyshould

This

and

wings

bird.

before; wings,grey
tail-feather;tail, two

same

feather; legs, wren's

mallard.

silk ;

of the

neck

the

295

ANGLER.

and

partridgetailfibres of brown

small
and
fine,

the

body may be
and for the Irish rivers,
with green floss silli:.It is
fly,and good for graylingin autumn.

No. 3.

Wings short,and to stand erect,of the yellowfeather

under the wings of the thrush and redstart ; body,lightbuft'fur
hackle ; tail,two
fibres of the
a
very short fibred yeUow dun
Hooks,

and

12

13.

fly. It appears
and kills well of
No.
flat ;

is the

This

week

it

6. The

Wasp-ely.

lightorange

May

shoulder

for

legs. Hooks, 8, 9, and

10.

evenings,as a sort of dessert after a full

It is a good summer-fly
for chub.
Wings, hen pheasant'swing-feather;body,

fine

on
freely

the Green-drake.

on

No.

Castle-

Sallyor

than the Green-drake

to lie
clear wing-feather,
^Vings, starling's
floss silk,to be thick and short,and tippedwith

body,stone-blue
take

same.

"

gold tinsel ; black hackle under

Trout

legs,

morningsand evenings.

4. Blue-bottle.

dinner

little May-fly,
Yellow

days earlier in

ten

or

found

"

in separate circles from tail to shoulder,

a
circles,
ribbingof black ostrich harl ; legs,three turns at
of a light
brown-red hackle ; head, bronze peacockharl.
Hooks,

between
shoulder

6, 7, 8.

mohair, wound

capital
flyfor largetrout

in

in

deep currents,or

poolsruflled

the wind.

by

For very fine

months, there

autumn

their

and
May evenings,
three

are

wings,I suppose,bemgmade

The

for those of the

standard

and

summer

called
flies,

"

early

from
owl-flies,"

of the feathers of diflerent coloured owls.

which should be used earlyin the evening,

has its body of
first,
two
of
under
of
soft feather of
the
sets
fur;
wings ;
ones,

soft brown

any
brown

owl ; and

legs,
a

and

ones,

upper

of

dark brown

long-fibred
gingerhackle,lappedbehind

mallard

mottled
the

wings

feather ;
neck

to make

head.

Hooks, 5 to 8.
The second,to be used during twilight,
has

colour

fur,and

hackle under
The

its

wings

and behind

of soft owl-feather

wings. Hook,

third,fit for anghng

dressed full ;

wings,of

hen's hackle ; and brown

the

feather of

head.

of the

of white

Hook,

CHAPTER

nearlywhite

a
as

colour ;

same

cream-

ginger

before.

as

night,is made

at

of

body made

before.

"

ostrich harl,

owl ;

legs,white

Ed.]

VIII.

[SccontrJBapJ
ViAT.
as

you

So, sir,I

pleaseto

am

now

giveit me.

ready for

another

so
lesson,

soon

296
And

Pisc.

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

I, sir,as

ready

to

give you

the

best I

can.

told you the time of the Stone-fly "s coming in,and

that he is bred of a cadis in the very river where he is taken,

Having
I

to tell you

next

am

13. This

that,
has not the

Stone-fly

same

continue

to
patience

husk, till his wings be full grown ; but so

they begin to put out, that he feels himself

in his crust, or
soon

ever

as

strong,(atwhich

prison,and

of

out

he

time

find

can

crawls to

jack)squeezes

top of

the

that will receive

chink

call him

we

himself

stone, where, if

some

him, or

creep be-

can

stones, the one lyinghollow upon the other,which,

to find them, he there
the way, we also lay so purposelj^

twixt

by

two

lurks tillhis
to find

him,

and

though,for

want

the hollow

of

as

thence

from

of such

off. His

at the tail almost

broad

shift witli

convenience,he will make

bank, or any other placewhere

to fetch him

come

and

and there is your onlyplace

doubtless he derives his name
;

full grown,

wings be

body
as

tlie wind

and
is long,

in tlie middle

not
can-

prettythick,
; his colour

and much yelloweron

very fine brown, ribbed wdth yellow,
the bellythan the back ; he has two or three whisks also at
a

the

tag of his tail,and

wings,when

full grown,

littlehorns

two
are

double,and

upon his head ; his

his back,
flat down
his

colour,but rather darker than

longerthan it,though he makes but littleuse
of the

same

shall

you

him

rarelysee

paddlingwith

flying,
though

several feet he

has under

body, and

of them

; for

often

swimming

and

his

belly,upon

the

will mount
the Drake
a wing : but
stirring
into the air,though he is to be found among
steej)le-high
flagsand grass, too, and indeed everywhere high and low,
of them in their season,
the river ; there being so many
near

water, without

as,

would look like a

very iuoflensive insect,
these drakes,since I forgotto tell you before,I

they not

were

plague; and

by the fish to that incredible

that,upon a calm day, you shall see the stilldeeps
degree,
all over
circles by the fishes rising,
who will gorge
continually
themselves with those flies,
tillthey purge again out of their
gills
; and the trouts are at that time so lustyand strong,that
will then more
and
of eightor ten inches long,
one
struggle,
will tell you

tug, and
in winter

here,are

more

; but

endangeryour tackle,than
pardon this digression.

This Stone-fly

BiiAKE,but
DRAKE

is

with

common

taken

one

twice

as

big

then, we dape or dibble with,as with the

that whereas
this diflerence,
the Gkeenboth to stream and still,
and to all hours

THE

of the
in

COMPLETE

seldom

day,we

whistlingwind

earlyand

but
rarely,

time

of the

thus

dape with

this but in the streams

made-fly

297

ANGLER.

in

the

(for

is

and
better),

being proper
great graylingwill

for the mid-

late,it not

deep

so

then take it
day ; though a
very well in a sharp stream, and here and there,a trout too^
but much
better towards
eight,nine, ten, or eleven of the
clock at night,at which time also the best fish rise,and the
later the better,provided you can
see
your fly; and when
cannot, a made-flywill murder, which is to be made
you
the

dubbing of

and
dun, with a little brown
yellowcamlet very well mixed, but so placed that your fly
underneath,
yellowon the bellyand towards the tail,
may be more
than in any other part ; and you are
to placetwo
or
three hairs of a blaclc cat's beard on the top of the hook, in

arming, so

your

as

bear's

to be turned

stand

almost

dubbing,and

to

another

note, that your

; and

silk ; and the wings

feather of a mallard.
14. The
black

body,of

silver-twist,and

fly,but
killing

the whirl

of

the black
not

to be

when

on

warp

you

your

upright,and staringone from

flyis to be ribbed with yellow

long,and

May-flyis

next

up

very

the
an

Black-

fly

the

dark

; made

of

with

cock

over

grey

with

ribbed
ostrich-featlier,

hackle

named

of
large,

with

all ; and is a

either of the

other.

is the
pretenders),
little Yellow
May-fly
with the
the same
; in shapeexactly
Green-drake, but a very little one, and of as brighta yellow
of a brightyellow camlet,and
be seen ; which is made
as
can
15. The

the

last

is,of
May-fly(that

the four

white-greyfeather died yellow.

16. The last flyfor this month
(and which continues all
in the middle of May), is the flycalled
June, though it comes
the Camlet-fly, in shape like a moth, with fine diaperedor
times
water
wings,and with which, as I told you before,I someused to dibble ; and graylingwill rise mightily
at it.
the artificial fly, which
But
is only in use
amongst our
of a dark
brown
anglers, is made
shiningcamlet, ribbed
with a very small lightgreen silk,the wings of the
over
double grey feather of a mallard ; and it is a killing
flyfor
for May.
small fish ; and so much
wings

of

"

"

JUNE.

From
and

the Green-dkake
four-and-twentieth,
taken, as I told you before.

the firstto the

Stone-fly

1. From

are

the twelfth

to

the

late
four-and-twentieth,

at

298
taken

is
niglit,

tail,and

weasel's

white

Owl-fly, tlie dubbing of

the

grey wing.*
dun, called the Barm-fly, from

yeasty colour,the dubbing of the fur of

its

white

another

then

have

2. We

called
fly,

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

yellow-duncat,

grey wing of a mallard's feather.

with a purplebody,whiptabout
3. We have also a Hackle

and

with

capon'sfeather.

red

4. As

also

with

whipt about

these

5. To
of

grey wing.
6. Also another
of

of the whirl

little flesh-fly,
the body made

and
feather,
peacock's

fur, and
spaniel's

black

bing
Flesh-fly, the dubblue wool
mixed, and a

this month

have

we

purple body,

capon'sfeather.

red

with

Hackle,

Gold-twist

the

wings of

the grey

feather

of

and

wing

drake.
7. We
both

have

made

red camlet

have

likewise

of brown

and

grey wing.
10. And
another

mohair, and
11. As
and

little Black

also

mixed,
over

[Nearlyall the
the three

No.

the

slender

light

dubbing of

black

ribbed

the

dubbing of

green
a red

with green

over

silk,and

all.

a
And, lastly,
made
of a dun
slender,

which

Gnat,

grey wing.
Green
Grasshopper,

feather

Brown

Gnat, with a very

well mixed, and
violet camlet
a

white

yellow wool

capon
12.

or
Ant-fly, the dubbing of
flying-ant
mixed, with a lightgrey wing.

is also the

and

9. We

body

Peacock-fly, the body

the

of the feather of that bird.

8. There
brown

then

little Dun
camlet

fliesI have

Grasshopper;

and

described

for

the

dun

hackle at the

May

will

kill in

body
top.

June, for

are
appropriate
following
:

1. DaekMackeeel.

"

mallard feather;
Wings, dark-brownmottled
floss
with
ribbed
silk,
body,deep mulberry-coloured
gold tinsel ; legs,

purple hackle
No.

tail,three black rabbit's whiskers.

Hooks, 9 and 10.
reddest
fibres
of
landrail,to lie flat and
Wings,

2. Oel-fly.

long; body,and
horns,two
No.
made
n

3.
of

and

Wings

"

This

August.
"

"

alternate

ribbingof

hackle fibres.
and

mixture

12.

autumn.
*

brown

"

legs,a

very

of blue-dun

general kiUer

dark

Hooks,
small

and

brown

8 and

dun

and

orange

hackle,wound

over

orange-colouredmohair.

in low, clear

mohair

water

in

summer

body

Hooks,
and

Ed.]
artificialwhite
Ed.

moth

will

be taken

at

9.

night during June, July, and

2"9

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

JULY.

small fliesthat

First,all the
taken

the

2. Also

wing

the

also

are

dark

body

Wasp-fly

dubbing,or else the

with yellow silk ; and
this month

flytaken

4. Another

of the

hackle-feather
5. We

hair,
mo-

fur of
the

; made
a

either

black cat's tail,

wing, of

the

grey

mallard.

made

of white

made

heron's feather.

brown

feather of

body

; the

likewise this month

about

dubbingof orange

black feather.

wings blue,of

have

3. We

of

the

Orange-fly;

littleWhite-bun

and

ribbed

then the

have

wool,and

in June

in this month.

1. We

of

taken

were

whirl of

Hackle

Black

peacock'sfeather,an^la

; the

black

the

on

also

have

is

top.
another,made

of

out
whirl,withpeacock's

wings.
flyalso is taken this month, called the Shellfly
Jersey wool, and a little
; the dubbing of yellow-green
I call the Palm-fly, and do
white hog's-hair
mixed, which
believe it is taken for a palm,that drops off"the willows into
6. Another

; for this

the water

flyI

have

take little

trouts

seen

pieces

which

I conthe river ; by
of moss, as theyhave swam
down
clude
that the best way to hit the rightcolour is to compare
as
your dubbingwith the moss, and mix the colours as near
can.

you

is also taken,this month, a Black-blue

7. There

dubbingof the
the

wings,of

fur of

black rabbit mixed

the feather of

blue

with

Dun

; the

littleyellow;

wing.
pigeon's

killingfliesfor July.
Wings,any light-blue feather;body,thin in
the middle,but thick at shoulder and tail,
resemblingthe body of an ant,
and made of black ostrich harl ; legs,
hackle,
two lapsof very dark brown
close under wings. Hook, 10.

[I will

No.

add to the above

1. Black

No. 2. Red
made

of the

Ant-Fly.

Ant-fly.

Wings,a

"

shape as

same

four very

"

young
before,but with

legs,brightred cock's hackle.

attractive this month
No.

3.

Wings,

martin's fur

flyat

summer

No.

mohair

4.

a
legs,

low

and

throat-feather

10

and

These

11.

two

fliesare

days.
followingon dark, warm
body,yellow
a
wing-feather,
dyed paleyellow;

small

the two

honey-dun hackle.

Hook,

12.

famous

clear water.

wing ; body, brown

hen-pheasant's
hare's-ear fur ; legs, grey
with a little bright-coloured
of the partridge.Hooks, 11 and 12.
En.]

Wings, top

mixed

and

lark's

Hooks,

wing-feather
; body,
starling's
harl ;
bronze
peacock's
bright

fibres of the

"

oOO

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

AUGUST.

The

flieswitli

same

1. Then
hair of
dark

another

some

cow,

wing

2. Next

fly.
killing

July.

of the black brown

Ant-fly, the clubbing
and a
red wrapt in for the tug of his tail,

Fern-fly, the dubbingof the fur

of a hare's neck, that is,of the colour of fern,or bracken,with
too.
a darkish
grey wing of a mallard's feather;a killer,

flycalled

3. Besides
white

have

we

White

with

mohair, and wrapped about

this is

and

these

the

4. We

assuredlytaken

have

feather

that

dun, and

blue

Haury-long-legs, the body

hacklewool mixt,and a brown
a

all.

over

Lastly,In
taken

for thistle-down.

also this month

of bear's

made

Hackle, the body of

white hackle-feather,

this month

all the

taken

May.

were

in

Browns

same

Duns

and

The
[Smallbrown and black palmers will kill well this month.
standard patternsfor August :
are
following
No. 1. Wings, fibres of a brown
hen's wing-feather;
body,brown

are

two

"

silk,ribbed with
hairs of

black

legs,brown

brightyellowtying silk ;

hackle

tail,two

rabbit's whiskers.

Hook, 10.
Body, cinnamon -brown mohair; wings, reddish
woodcock's wing ; legs,
hackle.
cinnamon
Hook, as before.
No.

floss

2.

"

feather

of

Ed.]

SEPTEMBER.

This

month

the

flies

same

taken

in

Camel-brown-fly,

the

taken

are

that

are

April.
which

1. To

dubbingpulledout
and
silk,

red

2. And
made

one

only add

I shall

of the lime of a

wall,whippedabout with

darkish grey mallard's feather for the wing.

have no name
other for which we
; but it is

of the black

yellow softest down

hair of
of

badger'sskin,mixed
sanded hog.

with

the

OCTOBER.

The

same

flies are

taken

this month

as

were

taken

in

March.
NOVExMBER.

The
month

same

fliesthat

were

taken

in

Februaryare

taken

this

also.

[For October

and November, I would

recommend

small duns, and

some

301

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

for April. For September, and

of the fliesnamed
five
fliesof
I recommend
greatattractiveness :

for

July and August,

"

Wings, a mixture of the

partridge
; body, cinnamon

1.

No.
of the

fibres of the red and gray tail-feathers

mohair
-brown
an
; legs,
amber-dyed

two fibres of the hackle.

Hook, 10.
wings ; tail,
No. 2. Wings, starling's
feather; body, golden olive mohair; legs,
colour
the
of
hackle
same
; goldtip. Hook, as before.
of the starling's
No. 3. Wings, a mixture
wing feather and partridge
with
bronze
tail-feather
an
harl,
; body,
orange floss silk tag,gold
grey
This
the
Hook, 8 and 10.
fly is named
tip; legs,black -red hackle.

tail to

hackle,from

'"

Governor."
No.

4.

feather

Wings, the top,beautiful green fibres of the peacock'smoonbody,brightbronze peacock'sharl ; legs,sometimes a furnace

hackle,at others
5.

No.
feather

black

pm-e

of starling's
wing, and

mixture

Wings, a

mohair
body, olive-green

tip. Hook,

10 and

Hook,

one.

11.

brown

hackle of
legs,

mottled

mallard

colour,and gold

same

before.

as

added
to Cotton's monthly lists of trout
and
Reader, I have now
I
i
n
modern
have
the
best
fished,
time,
flies,
patterns.
grayling
very
my
with

of them.
greatmajority

the

and
qualities,

I recommend

by experiencetheir captivating
to all fly
-fishers for fresh
confidently

them

Ed.]

salmonidie.

water

I know

"

DECEMBER.

Few

in

they do
have

angle with

men

January

; but

yet, if the weather

it sometimes

known

fly this month,

the

in my

life to

no

be

kill in

raise and

clear water

(as I

warm

in this cold
be,even
a Brown, that looks

then
country,where it is least expected),
red in the hand, and yellowishbetwixt
your eye
will both

than

more

and

the sun,

and

free from

snow-

broth ; but, at the best,it is hardly worth a man's labour.

And
or
sir,I have done with fly-fishing,
anglingat
now,
the top, exceptingonce
more, to tell you, that of all these

(and I
are

have

fit to be

named

compared

and

for very

great many

you

with

none
killing
flies),

very

the Drake

and

Stone-fly, both

yet there are some

in a
days that are by no means
proper for the sport. And
have
with
calm
mucli sport,even
near
so
you shall not
galeof wind, for two reasons, both
daping,as in a whistling
for many

because

you
also because

water

there

; for where

imaginethey
bait,that both

rod,nay

then

not

are

are

so

then

the

be

shadow

very

so

and

easilydiscovered by
but few fliesthat

they have

will not

of your

great fish ;

so

much

eager
of your

line,in

hot

can

the

and
fish,

lie upon

choice,you may

and

forward

easily

to rise at

that

of your
day,will,in spite

body, and
calm

the

302
best

of your

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

caution, render

down
then, in swift streams, or by sitting
shall do

bush, you

willow

tliern ; but

suspectedto

patientlybehind

execution

more

than

of the year with any other

he shall
hit of a day,when

any

other time

may

sometimes

well

satisfied with

sport with

the

fly; though one

home

come

Stone-fly,I

had
life,

at almost

several other flies: but

and
these two, the Green-drake
believe I could,some
days in my

even

I not

do

been

very
with

verily
weary

lustyboy; and have sometimes, I

do honestly
of
account
assure
upon the mere
you, given over
to believe,
satietyof sport; which will be no hard matter
I likewise assure
when
you, that with this very fly,I have
in this very river that runs
by us, in three or four hours
and fortyof the best trouts in
taken thirty,
five-and-thirty,
and pityit is,then, that such a
shame
the river. What
river should be destroyedby tlie basest sort of people,
by
in the night,and of
those unlawful ways of fire and netting
hanging, and hooking by day,
damming, groping,
speaiing,
of

have
slaughter,

loaden

which

now

are

so

grown

that,though we have very

oflenders,
every rascal does it,for

common,

good laws to punish such

ought I see, imjoune.
conclude,I

To
that

in

now

honestybut franklytell you,

of these flies I have

many

them

make

we

cannot

named,

least

at

so

here, will peradventure do

you no
will not conceal

service in your
southern
rivers ; and
you, but that I have sent fliesto several friends in

ought 1

that

for

with

them

; and

and

so, if you

if the

day

be

to

but

we

one

could

to

come

let
please,

us

windy,as

our

shall take

did any

hear,never

ever

therefore if you

must

you

made

intend

anglewith

to

me

as

gi*eat
from

London,

great feats

profitby

struction
my inhere in the Peak ;

walk up to supper, and to-morrow,

days here commonly are, 'tisten

good dish of fish for dinner.

CHAPTEE

IX.

[^f)irtr
Ban.]
Pisc. A

good day

before
stirring

YiAT.

Why,

to

you, sir ; I

see

you

will

always be

me.

to tell you the

truth,I

am

so

allured with the

THE

sportI
and

had

COMPLETE

yesterday,that

when

I heard

could forbear

the wind

longto be at the river again;

sing in my chamber window,
leaptout of bed, and had just

longer,but
made an end of dressing
myself as you
Pisc. Well, I am
both glad you are
and that the day is so fit for you ; and
no

303

ANGLER.

in.

came

readyfor

so

the

day,

look you, I have made

you three or four fliesthis morning ; this silver-twist hackle,
this bear's dun, this light brown, and this dark brown,
any
of which I dare say will do ; but you may
them
all,and
try
which

see

does

best ;

wait

cannot

ask
only I must
this morning, a

upon you
fallen out, that for two or
: but I'll come
your company
and

YiAT.
lend
have
own,

shall attend

man

my

Oh,

sir,mind

three
and

pardon that I
little business being
hours will deprive me
of
call you home
to dinner,
your

you.

affairs

your

all

by

Do

means.

littleof your skill to these tine flies,

and, unless it
forsaken me
since yesterday,
I shall find luck of my

me

hope,to

Pisc.

The

do

something.

best instruction

can

the wind

giveyou is,that seeing

the right
way, you would

curls the water, and blows

angle up the still deep to-day; for betwixt

now

where

but

the

streams

I would
besides,
YiAT.

I'll

are, you

have

obey

you

will find it

take fish in both

and
direction,

your

now

Come,

too

the rocks
brisk ; and

waters.

good morning to
walk together. But
so

young man, let you and I

I have not done with you yet ; I expect another
you, sir,
lesson for anglingat the bottom, in the afternoon.

you.
hark

Pisc.

Well, sir,I'llbe ready for

CHAPTER

you.

X.

Bap.]
[ZIT^irtr
Pisc.

Oh, sir,are
I

me.

YiAT.

Pisc.

And

YiAT.

am

You

you

you

have

but

just prevented

coming to call you.

was

glad then
how

returned?

have

shall

see

I have
you

saved you the labour.

sped?

that

look
sir,presently;

you,

sir,

three brace of trouts,one

of them
the biggestbut
I killed with a flyin my life; and yet I lost a
that ever
one
biggerthan that,with my flyto boot ; and here are three
here

are

.S04"

AXGLEH.

COMPLETE

THE

of them longerby some

and one
graylings,
and yet I thought that
I took yesterday,

Why

Pisc.

on't ; and

far in love with

so

am

would

of the

amends

for

into the

but

walk

window

in the
it

have

sendingyou

myself dress

I will

and

angling;

of

art

entertain

to

alone this

the

dinner

book

one

other

or

while, and

true

morning,

of fish for your

will find

it.

part of

sir,to make

now,

you

that water

debarred from
totally
river speaksyou a

this dish

parlour,
you

England ;

mine, and that

were

out
uncivilly

so

you

river in

exchange

not

river Dove

best trout

for all the land it runs

over, to be
Pisc. That compliment to the
lover

our

it,that if it

I
keep it to myself,

I could

of

you

be the

I think it to

good one, too.

pretty good morning'swork

think

sir,what

now,

YiAT.
and

made

have

you

that

inches than

shall

you

presently.

Well, sir,I obey you.

Pisc. Look you, sir,have I not made haste 1
Believe me,
YiAT.
sir,that you have ; and it looks so
well,I long to be at it.
what say you, am I a tolerable
Pisc. Pall to, then ; now, sir,
YiAT.

cook

YiAT.
my

no

or

So

one, that I did

good a

life. This fish is

kind

of the

would

rightseason
word,

at this

say so, if that trout

but

is

season

make

to you, which

trout

and

them

as

like them

so

well

drest thus

then

your

only.

is,that

as

will

hard

to

as

and

and

tasted

thing than

wine

eat

you

I have

have

you

of

our

in

were

upon

my

request

one

taught me

teach

now

how

me

is of
questionless

to

to catch
to

dress

all other the

make

heart,and am gladyou
that request,and they are

having taken

which

stale beer

littlewhite

ever

any

will,sir,Vvitli all my

very clean
three scotches with

After

fish in

the better fish.

it is

so

take

(but it
and

his

clean

guts,and

wash

knife to the

him

bone, on
clean kettle,
and put in
a

must

water

out

with

within, but

blood,wipe him

givehim

good

which
grayling,

trout, wash, and dry him

him,

open

much

drest,which

are

best way.
PiRC. That

Take

by

and

grayling,
you
these

of the

eat

pray

In earnest

YiAT.

than

so

London.

You

Pisc.

better
infinitely

life ; 'tisquite another

in my

about

trouts

eat

never

as

not

will

be
cover

napkin ;
all the

not, and
one
as

side

much

dead)vinegar,and

the fish you intend

COMPLETE

THE

tlirow into the

to boil ; then

the

of

rind

lemon,

liquora good quantityof salt,

handful

805

ANGLER.

lightfaggotof

of sliced horseradish

root,

thyme, and winter

set your kettle upon
Then
a quick fire of wood
:
savory.
and let your liquorboil up to the heightbefore you put in
put them in one by
your fish : and then, if there be many,
not
cool the liquoras to make
it fall.
so
one, that they may
beat up the batter for your
And
whilst your fish is boiling,
of the liquorit is boilingin.
with a ladleful or two
sauce
And
being boiled enough,immediatelypour the liquorfrom
the fish : and being laid in a dish,pour your butter upon it ;

with

handsome

rosemary,

shaved

and
horseradish,
sides of your dish,and

with
over
strewingit plentifully
little pounded ginger,
garnishthe

and
a

the fish
A

with
itself,

graylingis

is

and

that must

lightlyand
fish.

be

within

eaten

scaled,which

either with

done
a

knife,for

note, that these kinds

And

is worth

be

is to

he

it up.
exactlyafter the same

two, and

or

dressed

be

with
carefully

if he is not
But

also to

savingthat

manner,

sliced lemon

four

or

of

one's
fear of

fish,a

five hours

serve

trout

never

nails,or

very

bruisingthe

trout

especially,

after he be

taken,

nothing.

come,

we
please,

sir,I

see

will walk

I will read you

you
down

if you
dined ; and therefore,
againto the littlehouse, and there
have

lecture of

anglingat

the bottom.

XI.

CHAPTER

[^i^irtr
"an.]
we
are
here,and set,let me have my
So, sir,now
at the bottom
instructions for anglingfor trout and grayling
;
'tis
nor
which
said)so
(as
though not so easy, so cleanly,
I
if
mistake
is yet,
not,
genteela way of fishingas with a fly,
will.
else
when
and takes fish
nothing
a good holdingway,
is so
it does so : and a worm
Pisc. You are in the right,
I
bait at all times,that,exceptingin a flood,I would
a
sure
less
or
had laid a thousand
pounds that I killed fish,more
the year;
with it,winter or summer,
every day throughout
serious account
that upon a more
those days alwaysexcepted,
always ought so to be. But not longer to delayyou, I will
monly
begin,and tell you, that anglingat the bottom is also com-

YiAT.

of two

sorts ; and

yet there
u

is

third way

of

angling

306
with

and
ground-bait,

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

great effect too,as

to very

said hereafter ; namely,by hand, or with a cork or

That we call anglingby hand is of three sorts.
with
first,

The

half the

line about

lengthof

shall be

float.
the

rod,a

good weightyplumb,and three hairs next the hook, which

and with one
call a running-line,
or
a
we
largebrandling,
of

dew-worm

other

or

any
Walton

moderate

size,or
for

sort,proper

the

already given you

almost any worm
or, indeed,

first,

father
my
and saved me

names,

whatever
be such

bite,it must

to

of the

ones

trout, of which

has

labour ;
be in the humour

small

two

; for if a trout

a worm

as

never

that he will refuse ; and if you fish with two, you

then to bait your hook thus. You are first to run the point

yet saw,
are

and so
of your hook in at the very head of your first worm,
down
through his body,till he be past the knot, and then
let it out, and stripthe worm
may not bruise it with your

above

the

arming,that

tillyou
fingers

other,by runningthe point of

the

hook

have

put

in below

you

the

on

the

knot,
upwards through his body towards his head,till it be just
covered with the head ; which
being done,you are then to
down
the arming again,till the
over
slipthe first worm
of both

knots

second

The

line,is with,

togethei\
way of anglingby hand, and
line something longerthan
meet

worms

tackle made

with

after this

the hook

your line,where
all other ways of angling,
you
fastened with

and,

three handfuls
at

and, half

worms,

after the

baited

without

worm,

will

foot

a
same

that

with

above

manner,

plumbs upon
bait

your

must

adventure

at the bottom

by

success.

worse

And

most

line,of

that,another
but
true

your

with

tv/o

by

armed

another
which

bottom

or

and

sort

means

in all

of
you

depths;

line above

you can never

whilst
always drag
you are

both

be

continually),

trouble,and

per-

these ways of angling

dark and muddy water,

proper for a
reason, that in such a condition of the
are

always placedin
a
largepistolor

of

this way of angling

must
you are like to have more

means

the utmost

swift stream, with a hook

of the fore-named
some

sounding(whichin

by which

At

of your
line is to be
and close with the bullet ;

lead at all above

any

the

with

but

more

find the
certainly

always

which

do,

long,or

former,and

end

for

thereof,baited

end

the

is

have

peg or pin,even
a foot above
that,a branch

half

about

are

the

bullet,into which

carabine

to

running

the

manner.

same

extremityof

with

stream,a

man

may

stand

near

as

will,and

he

as

neither

of his tackle will hinder

the roundness

307

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

his
his

shadow

own

nor

sport.

third way of anglingby hand with a ground-bait,

and
the best of all other,is,with a line full as long,or
much

The

by
a yard and

half

it ; and

than

more

no

hook, and

the

hair next

one

than
longer,

small

one

hook, little; your

your

your rod j with

for two
three
or

worms

no

than

more

lengthsabove
shot for your plumb ;
or
pellet
of the smaller brandlings,

very well secured, and only one

upon your hook at a time ;
which is thus to be baited.
The pointof your hook is to be
his
tail,and run up his body quite
put in at the very tag of
all the

over

still stripped
on

hair,the head

the

upon

arming,and

and

at

least

ward
remaining part hanging down-

with this line and

and

inch

an

hook

thus baited you are evermore

to anglein the streams, always in a clear rather than
troubled water, and always up the river,still castingout
:

before you with a lightone-handed

rod,like an
your worm
artificialfly; where it will be taken sometimes at the top,or
within a very little of the superficies
of the water, and almost
alwaysbefore that lightplumb can sink it to the bottom,
both

of the stream, and also,

that you must always
in motion
keep your worm
by drawing still back towards
anglingwith a fly: and believe me,
you, as if you were
whoever
will try it,shall find this the best way of all other

by reason

anglewith

to

his rod

must

finelymade,
and
for

in

in

but
brightwater especially;
and very true
lightand pliant,

worm,

be very
which, with

clear stream

trout

skilful

hand, will

do

then
and

wonders,

is

the best way

of angling
undoubtedly
with a worm,
that
grayling
by many degrees,

or

make

choice

of,and

of most

and

delight
angler.
which, let me
add, that if the anglerbe
of a constitution
that will sufier him to wade, and will slip
into the tail of a shallow stream, to the calf of the leg,
die
or
knee, and so keep oflf the bank, he shall almost take what
fish he pleases.
man

any

can

to the

The
or
a

second

ginibor
a

foot and

two,
with
or

of

way

anglingat

float ; and
With

ease

To

or

that is also of two

cadis.
worm,
a

half

if you

above

you
as

are

bottom, is with

sorts ; with

to have

longas

will with

the

your

u2

v/orm,

cork

or

with

your line within a foot,or

rod ; in a dark water, with

three,but in
the hook, and

hair next
one
five lengths
above it,and

worm

clear water

two

of what

or

never

three for four

size you please,

308

THE

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

your plumbs fitted to your cork,your

of the river,that is,to the swiftness

both, when
then

is very clear,as
to bait with above

never

the condition

to

slowness

of it ; and
fine as you can ; and
of the lesser sort
one

or

the water
are

you

cork

indeed,you
very little ones
before directed.
may then bait with two, after the manner
When
you anglefor a trout, you are to do it as deep,that

of

or, if

brandlings;

is,as

the bottom

near

drag;

if it

or

they are

you can, providedyour bait do not

trout will sometimes
take it in at that
as

do, a
a grayling,
you

posture : if for

bottom, he being a

the

middle
more

With

to

even

grub

the worse,
next
the

with

hook,

from

inclined to rise than

more

ground-bait.

cadis,
you

or

above

never

and

to fish further

the
usuallyswims nearer
alwaysloose ; or however, is

are

if it be all out

lengthof line,or

then

fish that

of the water, and lies

apt to rise than a trout, and

to descend

least

are

hair,for

one

two

you

or

that will but

can

the sam(5
it is not

three

or

the smallest cork

with

weightof plumb

as

anglewitli
longas your rod
to

lengths

and
float,

the

sink, and that

the swiftness of your stream will allow ; which also you may
help,and avoid the violence of the current, by anglingin the
of

returns

also

stream, or the eddies betwixt

the

are

two

likelyplaceswherein

most

to

streams,which
kill

stream, either at the top or bottom.

which
Of grubs for a grayling,
the ash-grub,

milk-white, bent

roimd

head

from

to

fish in

is

plump,
exceeding
grub of a pale

and
tail,

head, or the dock- worm, or

yellow,longer,lanker,and tougherthan the other,with

tender,with

red

of feet all down

his

belly,and

red head

rows

also,are the best ;

trout will take both

because,althougha
grayling,
yet he does not do it so freely
ash-grubespecially,
taken ten graylings
the other,and I have usually
for one
as
trout with that bait ; though if a trout come, I have observed
that he is commonly a very good one.
These baits we usually
keep in bran, in which an ash-grub
and will better endure
commonly grows tougher,
baiting
;
that
it
will
be
he
is
to
yet so tender,
though
necessary
warp
in a pieceof a stiffhair with your arming,
it
leaving standing
I say, for
these,the

about

out

straw- breadth

keep the grub

at

least down

your

arming

neither

so

at the head

of your

hook, so

as

to

either from
to

the

will be

nor
sightly,

ofi"when baited,
or
slipping
totally
of
the
hook
which
means
point
; by

left wholly naked

so

to
likely

and

be taken

bare, which
:

is

though to help

that,which

805

ANGLEE.

COMPLETE

THE

thevery oft fall out, I alwaysarm

I desigafor this bait with the whitest horse-hair I can-

hook

will however

itself will

choose,which

resemble,and shine like that bait,

more
good,or less harm, than an

and

will do
consequently
arming of any other colour.

thus

bait, and

guided

grubs

put under

is to be

the hook

These

down

the

the head

middle

of the

baited

be

to

are

chaps of the
belly ^without
or

"

peep out by the way, for then the ash-grub

will issue out water
and milk, till nothing but the
especially
it
suffering

skin

to

remain, and the bend of the hook

black,throughit, till the point of your hook

will appear
low
come
so

shall

"

that the head

the hair

of your bait may rest,and stick upon

it can
out to hold it ; by which
means

that stands

neither

neither will the force of the stream, nor

quick
slipof itself,
it
off.
pullingout, upon any mistake, strip
Now
the cadis,or cod-bait,
which
is a sure
bait,.
killing

and, for the most part,by much surer than either of the other,
and is
the hook, two
three together,
or
may be yjut upon
and sometimes
sometimes, to very great effect,
joinedto a worm,
to

artificialfly,
to

an

jointof

the

cover

your

hook

; but

always to be angledwith at the bottom, when by itself

with the finest tackle ; and is,for all times of
especially,

is

the

holdingbait of all other

year, the most
for trout and grayling.
There

named
and

are

several other

others

; and some
in mind
of,because
as

you,

honest

in all

gentleman, a
of anglingfor
But,

question:

one

sir,I

no

and
fish,

place make

have

in

to

you
so

much

be

a very
for the

at the bottom.

give me

you

own

think fit to put

corrupt you, and would

observe

trout

art to

his

I do not

angler. And

beseech

is there

allure the

not

things else I

sort

YiAT.

own

that

I would

fair

second

them

in his

anglermay

every

observation
have

these few

you, which also do very great execution at the bottom,

that are
some
peculiarto certain countries and rivers,

of which

you

baits besides

whatever, both

be

manner

leave to

used to worms,
compel them

ask

you

to make
to bite at

the bait ?

of; or did I know any such secret,

not teach it
it myself,and therefore would
I would not use
Though I will not deny to you, that in my younger
you.
days,I have made trial of oil of osprey, oil of ivy,caraphire,
and several other devices that I
assafoetida,
juice of nettles,
was
taughtby several anglersI met with ; but could never
Pisc.

Not

that I know

310

them

advantageby

find any

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

; and

believe there is

scarce

can

be done that way ; though I must tell you, I have

I thoughtwent
artificially
to work
who
more
no
men

anythingto
some

seen

kind of worms
I, and have yet, with the same
I had,in my own
sighttaken ^ve, and sometimes ten to one.
But we'll let that business alone,if you please
; and because
than

have

we

time

that 1 would

enough,and

from

deliver you

the

I will,if you please,

trouble of any more
lectures,
proceedto
which is in the
the last way of anglingfor a trout or grayling,
to trouble you with.
middle ; after which I shall have no more
YiAT.
satisfaction that
'Tis no trouble,sir,
but the greatest

be

can

[In
fisher

and

tins

I attend

chapter

you.
proves himself every bit as
and father,Walton.
Ed.]

Cotton

his so-called master

as

good a

bottom-

"

CHAPTER

Pisc.
is of two
a

the

Angling in
sorts ; with

middle,then,for

penk

grub,or cadis,for

worm,

the first. It is with

For

XII.

trout

for

minnow

or

grayling,

or

trout ;

with

or

grayling.

a
a

minnow, half

foot

or

foot

And
to the rest that
of the water.
as
superficies
I shall wholly refer you to Mr.
this sort of angling,
concerns
Walton's
is undoubtedly the best anglerwith
\T ho
directions,
in plaintruth,I do not approve
in England; only,
a minnow
of those baits he keeps in salt,
unless where the livingones
kills
he frequently
not possibly
to be had (thoughI know
are
than with
with them, and peradventure,
more
any other j
for one
of them) ;
him refuse a livingone
nay, I have seen
within

and

the

much

less of his artificialone;

counterfeit

man

should

Counterfeit

it should

fly,methinks
deceive

fish,or

spinning I

for

fish with

frequently
slightlydiscoloured water

them

in

do it with

hardlybe expectedthat

counterfeit fish.*

artificial fish-baits,are

use

though we

preference to

now

well

so

made,

Which

that

in

in
fish-bait ; and
spin better, and will

the natural

obviatingthe necessityof

They
alioaysprefer them.
they are injured, which is a great convenience,
constantly,after a run or a kill,putting on a fresh

bait, which

if you

take

great many

fish before

you must
artificial fish-baits are

do
made

spin with the natural

by Mr. Flinn, of Worcester.

fish-bait.
"

Ed.

The

best

,THE

I
havingsaid,

shall

onlyadd (andthat

that I do believe

that

which

to prove

oftener taken

with

onlytell you,
bull-head

has

trout

; and

minnow

bull-head,with

I shall

trouts

throats,for there
than

of my own
ence),
experihis gill
-fins cut off

out

times of the year especially),

to be a much
better
trout than a minnow, and a loach much
better than

(atsome
bait for

311

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

that

one

that I have

or

loach

much

in their

his first digestion,

questionless
day especially,
havingangleda

good part of the day with a minnow, and that in as hopeful

fit a water, as could be wished for that purpose,
as
a day,and
without raising
fish ; I at last fell to with the worm,
any one
with that took fourteen

and
all

which,there

that had

not

^ye, and

six

not, to my

was

loach

in

very short space : amongst

remembrance, so much as one
a

two, and

or

of

some

them, three,four,

in his throat and stomach ; from whence

loaches,
I concluded,
that had I angledwith that bait,I had made a

notable

day'swork

But

after
than

which
and

all,there is a better

perhapsis

I shall

by

fit either

only add,that

sometimes

believed

of it.

take

rise at,
will certainly
grayling

minnow, though it will

be hard

to be

shall consider the littleness of that

one, who

any

now,
of anglingwith a minway
to teach or to practise
; to

fish's mouth, very unfit to take so great a bait : but it is

do it ; and I myself
afiirmed by many, that he will sometimes
know

yet

it to be true ; for
of mine
once
man

that I
see,
was

am

certain of

as

made

and, which
not

above

though I

took

never

it appear

eleven inches

can

the

graylingso,

few paces of me,

be of anythingI did not

did,and within
it,as I

more

so

strange,the grayling

long.

I must
beg leave of your master, and mine, not
consent to his
to controvert,but to tell him, that I cannot
wards
of throwing in his rod to an over
grown trout,and afterhere also

way

recoveringhis
satisfied he

has

fish with

sometimes

have found it quiteotherwise

his tackle.

done

it,because

; and

though

For

though I

he says so, yet I

I have taken with

in
trouts
safelysay, some
life,
snapt (thoughmy line stillcontinued
my top never
rod by some
to the remaining part of my
lengthsof

the

am

thousands of

angle,I may

my
fast
line

fastened,with waxed
slacked,or
such an accident),
nor
silk,
my hand never
against
lost
by any other chance,but I almost alwaysinfallibly
slipped
home
whether
though my hook came
fish,
greator little,
my

curled round

again.

And

about

I have

my

top,and

there

often wondered

how

trout

should

so

312

suddenlydisengagehimself
with

bait

from

and

minnow,

ANGLER.

COMPLETE

THE

great a hook

so

bearded

deep
seen
by

so

that

as

those

as

we

hooks

accidents
the forenamed
commonly are, when I have
of
knot
in
the
the line,by
the slippingof a
or
upper part
that
ately
sudden and hard striking,
though the line has immedi-

recovered,almost before it could be all drawn

been

a moment.
the water, tlie fish cleared and gone
known
he says, I have sometimes
what
to justify

in

having carried
days after with

aw^ay

whole

line,found

dead

to be

in
sticking
gorgedit,which a

be

him

supposedhe had
not too quickwith
much

and

sure
once

sooner

in my

twice

or

fast

the hook

when

he

confident

that has

any hook

trout, so

soon

the

away
there

break

of

anglingin

had

any

this

we

for

may

of line left behind

he carries

pricked,if

gravel,till he
And

have

tired you
trouble of this

good while

at

the

for this sort

the

worm,

and

that

bottom, a grayling
taking

bottom,as

clear water, and

out

has

been

with

the finest

said

as
ground-bait,

is

to both

common

before,the best way

of

third
trout

angling

tried whatever.
said all I can
at present think
ever

trout

and

of

and I doubt not

grayling,
I will give you no
more

but
sufficiently;

kind, whilst yon stay,which

hope will

be

longer.

That
come

either rub

much

so

will

trout.

I said

concerninganglingfor

tillMay

with

also,and with very good reason, add the

sir,I have

now,

am

be in any
certainlyknow that a

I do

foot from

alwaysin

day

hours

two

anglingin the middle is with

other ground-baitfor a grayling;

of all other I

worm,

YiAT.

But

arming.

of

and, as
grayling,

And

the

me

througha bone, if it

third way of anglingby hand with

in the middle, which
of fishing
way
a

from

handful

one

the

better there than

which

with

taken

in the

in the middle.

cork,and

before ; and
tackle.

and

at

be troubled

nay,

hog upon

way

grub,cadis,or
it much

four

or

him ; and then it is

trout will do if you

comes

feels himself

he

the middle

second

To

struck

ever

the hook

trout,

three

yet,

hook, goes immediately to tlie bottom, and

or

is with

as

only :

as

root, like

The

not

his mouth

part of

much

so

it,or that is

with

will not

trout

And

minnow, as
than a pike: and I myself have also,
taken the same
life,
fish,with my own

flystickingin his chaps,that he

of a hook
before,by the slipping
very

into

will not

be above

twelvemonth,you

a
are

day longer;
sure

of

me

but if I live

again,either

COMPLETE

THE

with

shall

time
his

sake,

for

it.

time
but
more

and

and

you
when

shall

miles

heartily

hope

he

be

glad,

tell

you
on

how

me

your

wish

loves

you

you

be

good

ASH

BORNE

well

go,
I

I will

journey.

the
of

to

mean

then

with
wait
you

for

me

thank

you

the-

at

company

part

tempted

in

made

enough

to

have

CatJUOH.

and

good

your
loath

must

have

you

me

sir, of

than

way

him

much

shall

of, and

speak

without

or

him

acquaint

Pisc.

Walton,

master

my

31^

ANGLER.

you

nov"^

you

upon
out

of

it,

EXPLANATION

In

this

taken

PLATE,

OF

platethe

examiner

1.

NATURAL

will

see

six

in

of insects used
life,

from

NO.

"

FLIES.

representations,

fly-fishing.

Green-drake

{ephemeravulgata),
stands at the head of its tribe. The ejyhemerce
are
extremely
of various sizes and colours,
particularly
appearing
numerous,
months.
Their
in the summerand
autumn
wingsstandupright,
'No. 1. The

and

theyhave

to the

May-flyor

whisks

angler.As

or

their

but fresh tribes of them

No.

2. Is the

useful

tails. Of allfliesthese are the most

theyare
implies,
t
hose
which
replace

name

and
Stone-fly,
considered

the

very short lived,

die in a day.

of
largest

its tribe

{jphry-

but they are

spring-flies,

ganece).They are
throughoutthe

duced
prohave
Generallyspeakingthey

flat wings,but

because
characteristic,
specific

year.
that is not a

house-fly
(musca)and other flies have flat wings also.
The flies of this species
and in
proceedfrom water larvce,
anglingimportancestand iiext to the epUemerce.
No. 3. Is the March-brown, or largedun ephemera. It is
or
nearlyas largeas the May-fly,
ephemeravulgata;and in

the

March

April is as great a
It
May-flyis in May or June.
No.
These

and

4. Is

fliesare

favourite

trout,as the

with

flyI esteem very highly.

of a diptera,
or
two-wingedfly.
representation
two
and
have
generallysmall,
uprightwings.
is

In

and as
shapeand colour they much resemble the ephemerce,
baits they are equally
captivating.
No. 5. Is the Ant-fly{formica).It is a late summer
and
earlyautumn
fly. Its body resembles that of an ant. Hence
its name.
but a land-bred one.
It is not a water-born fly,
Its
breeze
wings are transparentand feeble,and the slightest
wafts it
and

so

No.

on

to the surface of rivers.

Graylingtake

it eagerly,

do roach and dace.

6. Is

dark

of
palmer,or representation

dark caterpillar,

lightyellow circular bands round the body.

or palmerproperlyobserves, this is called a pilgrim
lifeand
for his very wandering
various food ; not contenting
with
others
certain placefor
do,
himself,as
any one
with

Walton
worm,

his

"

any certain kind of herb or flower for his

but will boldlyand disorderly
wander up and down,
feeding;
and not endure to be kept to a diet,or fixed to a particular

abode,nor

are
place."As caterpillars

of various sizes and

so
colours,

are

their artificialrepresentations.
They are good anglingbaits
in the English rivers,
but not so good either in Ireland or

Scotland.

Chub

take them

with

great avidity.Made

very

largetheywill catch largeThames trout,and in the rivers

of South Wales they are not bad baits for Salmon.

PLATE

Ko.

1.

PLATE

ArtUiCidL

No. 2.

"iU'.

EXPLANATION

Second

The
the

flies

flat.

6,

fibres

nor

them,

the

is

third

winsjs.

except

in

flies

they

slight

defect

Plate

The
is

artificial

the

palmer
made,

good
the
not

is

except

recognise

the

second,

near

are

representations

In

bend
there

made

of

the

there

as

which

with
the
is

lie

palmer,

hook.

divided

just
that

the

ness
like-

will

wings

models.

of

of

wings

those

however,

are

FLIES.

will

spectator

water,

hackle-feather

regularity.
the

The

ARTIFICIAL

"

six

Plate.

the

2.

NO.

shows

In

artificial

there
of

eient

of

first

upright.
As

No.

on

all

too

are

Plate

the

in

in

PLATE,

OF

fly
neither

The
sufiiNo.

tail

EXPLANATION

We

here

have

its several

OF

PLATE

THE

FLY-MAKING.

OF

the artificial-fly
in
diagramsrepresenting

stagesof fabrication.
is called the hook

1. Is what

armed," that is to say,

the hook and gut-linktied or whipped together,
preparatory
the wings of the fly. Hook
and gut are whipped
to putting
on
about a
a pieceof fine tying silk,
togetherthus : You wax
No.

"

"

take your hook by

the
tliumb
and forefinger
of your left
the bend
between
silk round
two
of the waxed
hand ; make
the bare
a whip or
foot

eighteeninches

or

of the hook

shank

gut and shank

the

the shank

of hook

barb, and

up to the

silk you must

ahnost to the end.

up

Now

depend.

having

whipping,

of the

allow the silk to

and
slip-knot,

then

nearlyoppositeto

so,

which

see

length;

placeyour gut under

whipping or winding

done

over

in

continue
Make

for the

wings,

"

wings here are partlyset

stripfrom the wing-featherof some

No.

2. The

must

a smallish
longestfibres,

the

of the shank

back

towards
four

or

of the

the

the bend

of the

bunch.

hook,

of the hook

whips or lapsof

near

; you

do

small

You
its

To

on.

so, you

bird,using

placethem

the

on

end, with their butts

tie them

with

down

three

butt, and

you

the silk j you then cut away the fibres

wind
silk down
the shank
to
your

at which

you

began the arming,and

spot

the silk

leave

depending.
No.

3. You

here

hackle-feather

tied

by

The

to

the

on

after you

as

already described.

wings.

towards

the hook

up

like those

Take

whisks

or

up the
whips of the silk over

No.

wings,round
the
and

of the

the wmgs
tie them

by

for No.
must

2,
be

5.

When

you

have

wound

the

"

silk between
the division of the
pass your
by the butt of the half- wing on the left side of
the butt of the

down, forwards
down

up

whipped

feather

hook, and bring the silk back again between

round

wound

are

operations
necessary
back

the

wings,fasten it down by two or three

it ; make
the end
cut away
a slip-knot,
silk depending,
and then you will have

of the stem, leave the

marked
the representation
4. Now

be

to

hackle-feather

and

The

ready

and

on,

by the bared stem, and wind regularly

wings ; wind so that the fibres will project

hackle-feather

No.

point and

tail set

or

it

to the

of No.

the

finished the

have

you.

the whisks

see

behind

the

half-wingnext

towards

the bend

shoulder,at

which

the

division,

to you.

of the

Force

hook, and

spot you

must

,rLATL: No

:3.

Fly Making

EXPLANATION

form

OF

head

the

PLATE

THE

OF

FLY-MAKING.

of the

fly,by three or four laps of the silk,and

and then you
will have diagram
a
couple of slip-knots,
No. 5. In which
have
the silk,and
only to cut away
you
put a drop of varnish on the cutting to prevent the slip-knot
from
coming undone.
No. 6. Represents the hackle
the
from
put on differently
in this diagram. No. 6,
3.
The
fibres seen
at No.
way shown
the tail and the wings,
the shank
of the hook, between
round
has been
or
fur, which
are
a
body of dubbing, of mohair
round

-twisted
wound

wings

dubbing

taken

as

times

at

the

away,

after

directed
to

you

thick

end

hackle
of

the

your

silk and

fly. Lap
legs,and
He
these
brains

who

on

hackle-feather

The

round
of

fluous
super-

was

then
four

two, three, or
hackle

the
; and

tied down

tail,and

your
the

tinsel

wind

round

tinsel
to

twist

or

show

the

shall not

diagrams
or

stem

made, and

the

was

then

cut

wings arranged

then

outside

the

tinsel

regularly,for ribbing,up
tinsel down,
fasten
your

tie your
the body

and cut
wings :
If
end.
By its side wind afterwards
your hackle.
is used, but simply dubbing for body, spin it on

flyto

the
away
hackle
no

been

then

slip-knotwas

and

on,

When
it is necessary
4, as well as the head.
body of the fly with gold or silver twist or
the
immediately before your hackle, near

of the

; wind

; the

fastened

No.

rib the

tinsel, tie it

away.
and
wound

see,

wing
having

at

tail has been

silk after the

up to the

attached

as

the

and

in manual

from

shank
over

tail to shoulder

it,picking

out

of the

dubbing

for

tinsel.

be

able to make

directions,must

trout-

be

fly,after studying

deficient

either

dexterity.
Ephemera.

^k^f-S^

in

fc"C
?3

K
O

as

LONDON

SAVILL

AND

EDWAKDS,
PIUNTEKS,

CHANDOS

COVENT
GARDEN.

STESET,