Chapter 11

The line, to make it neat, handsom and strong, twist the Hair you make it of _even_, having seen if the Hair be of an equal bigness; then steep your Line in Water, to see if the Hairs shrink, if so, you must twist them over again. The Colour of the Hair is best of _Sorrel_, _White_ and _Grey_; _Sorrel_ for muddy boggy Rivers, and the two last for clear Waters. Nor is the _Pale watery green_ contemptible, died thus: Take a pint of strong _Ale_, half a pound of _Soot_, a little of the Juice of _Walnut-Leaves_ and _Allum_; Boil these together in a Pipkin half an hour, take it off, and when 'tis cold, put in your Hair. In making your Line of Hair mix not Silk; but either all Hair, or all Silk; as likewise distinguish the Line for the Ground Angle, and that for the Fly-rod, the last must be stronger than the first; in that for the Artificial Fly, making the uppermost Link twenty Hairs long, less in the next, and so less till you come to the Fly. Lastly at each end of your Line make a Loop (called a _Bout_) the one larger, to fasten to, and take it from the top of your Rod, and the other Lesser to hang your Hook-line on.

Your Hook must be long in the shank, something Round in compass, the point strait and even, and bending in the shank. Set on your Hook with strong small Silk, laying your Hair on the inside of the Hook.

Your _Flote_ challenges divers ways of making. Some using _Muscovy_ Duck quills for still Waters. Others the best sound Cork without flaws or holes, bored through with a hot Iron, and a Quill of a fit proportion put into it; then pared into a pyramidal Form, or in the fashion of a small Pear, to what bigness you please, and ground smooth with Grindstone or Pumice; this is best for strong Streams.

In fine, _To plum the Ground_, get a _Carbine_ Bullet bored through, and in a strong twist hanged on your _Hook_ or Rod. To sharpen your _Hook_, carry a little _Whetstone_. To carry your several utensils without incommoding your Tackle, have several _Partitions_ of Parchment. And in short the ingenious Angler will not be unprovided of his _Bob_ and _Palmer_; his Boxes of all sizes for his _Hooks_, _Corks_, _Silk_, _Thread_, _Flies_, _Lead_, &c. His _Linning_ and _Woollen Bait-bags_; His splinted _Osier light Pannier_; and lastly his _Landen Hook_, with a Screw at the end to screw it into the socket of a Pole, and stricken into the Fish, to draw it to Land: To which socket, a Hook to cut up the Weeds, and another to pull out Wood, may be fastned.

_Baits_ are branched into three Kinds.

First, the _Life-baits_, which are all kind of _Worms_, _Redworm_, _Maggot_, _Dors_, _Frogs_, _Bobb_, _Brown-flies_, _Grasshoppers_, _Hornets_, _Wasps_, _Bees_, _Snails_, small _Roaches_, _Bleak_, _Gudgeon_, or _Loaches_.

Secondly, _Artificial living Baits_, of _Flies_ of all sorts and shapes, made about your Hooks with Silk and Feathers, at all times seasonable, especially in blustering Weather.

Lastly, _dead Baits_, Pasts of all makings, Wasps dryed or undryed, clotted _Sheeps-blood_, _Cheese_, _Bramble-berries_, _Corn_, _Seed_, _Cherries_, &c. The two first good in _May_, _June_ and _July_, the two next, in _April_; and the last in the Fall of the Leaf.

_Of Flies._

Of _Natural_ flies there are innumerable, and therefore it cannot be expected I can particularize all; but some of their names I shall nominate, _viz._ The _Dun-Fly_, _Red-fly_, _May-Fly_; _Tawny-Fly_, _Moor-Fly_, _Shell-Fly_, _Flag-Fly_, _Vine-Fly_, _Cloudy_ or _Blackish-Fly_, _Canker-Flies_, _Bear-Flies_, _Caterpillars_, and thousands more, differing according to the Soils, Rivers or Plants.

_Artificial Flies_, are made by the Ingenious Angler, according to Art, in shape, colour and proportion like the Natural Fly, of _Fur_, _Wool_, _Silk_, _Feathers_, &c. To delineate which I must confess my self not so accurate and skilful a Painter, nor can any Pen-drawing, illustrate their Various Colours so, as to direct their Artificial Counterfeit; Nature will help him in this by Observation, curiously Flourishing their several Orient and bright Colours, after which they take their names, as before said: And therefore to furnish your self with both Natural and Artificial Flies, repair in the Morning to the River, and with a Rod beat the Bushes that hang over the Water, and take your Choice.

1. Observe to Angle with the Artificial Fly in Rivers disturbed somewhat by Rain, or in a Cloudy day, the Wind blowing gently: If the Wind be not so high, but you may well guide your Tackle, in plain Deeps is to be found the best Fish, and best Sport: If small Wind breeze, in swift streams is best Angling: Be sure to keep your Fly in perpetual slow Motion; and observe that the Weather suit the Colour of your Fly, as the light Colour'd in a Clear day, the Darkish in a dark, _&c._ As likewise according to the Waters Complexions, have your Fly suitable.

2. Let your Line be twice as long as your Rod: Keep as far as you can from the Waterside, the Sun on your back; In casting your Fly, let that fall first; your Line not touching the Water.

3. Have a nimble Eye, and active quick Hand to strike presently upon the rising of the Fish, lest finding his mistake he spew out the Hook.

4. In slow Rivers cast your Fly cross them, let it sink a little, draw it back gently, without breaking or circling the Water; let the Fly float with the Current, and you will not fail of excellent Sport.

5. Observe to let the Wings of your _Salmon-Flies_ to be one behind another, whether two or four, and they and the Tail long, and of the finest gaudiest Colours you can choose.

_Lastly_, In clear Rivers a small Fly with slender Wings is best, and in muddied Rivers a Fly of a more than ordinary large Body.

Thus much for Flies, I come next to that I called _Dead-Baits_, and shall begin with the several Ways of making Pastes.

_Of Pastes._

1. Beat in a Mortar the Leg of a Young _Coney_ (Vulgarly called the _Almond_) or of a Whelp or Catling, and a quantity of Virgins Wax and Sheeps suet, till they are incorporated, and temper them with clarified _Honey_ into Paste.

2. _Sheeps-Blood_, _Cheese_, fine _Manchet_ and clarified _Honey_ tempered as before.

3. _Sheeps-Kidney-suit_, _Cheese_, fine _Flower_, with clarified _Honey_ tempered.

4. _Cherries_, _Sheeps-Blood_, _Saffron_ and fine _Manchet_ made into a Paste.

5. Beat into a Paste; the fattest Old _Cheese_, the strongest _Rennet_ can be got, fine _Wheat-flower_ and _Annis-seed_ Water: If for a _Chub_ you make the Paste, put a little rasty _Bacon_,

Lastly, _Mutton-Kidney-suit_, and _Turmerick_ reduced to a fine Powder, the fattest Old _Cheese_ and strongest _Rennet_, wrought to a Paste, adding _Turmerick_ till the Paste be of a curious Yellow; and is excellent for _Chevin_.

Anoint your Bait with this Confection: Take the Oyl of _Aspray_, _Coculus India_, and _Assa-foetida_ beaten, and mix with it as much Life-Honey; then dissolve them in the Oyl of _Polypody_, and keep it in a close Glass for your use. And that your Paste may not wash off your Hook, beat Cotten-Wool or Flax into it.

_Of keeping Baits._

The _Red-Worm_, must be kept in a bag of Red Cloth, with a handful of chopt _Fennel_, mixt with half so much fresh, black and fertile Mould will scoure and preserve them: All other Worms, with the Leaves of Trees they are bred on, renewing them often in a day. Only the _Cad-bait_, _Bob_ and _Canker_, &c. must be kept in the same things you find them.

The great _White Maggots_, keep them in Sheeps Tallow, or little bits of a beasts Liver; and to scour them, hang them warm in a bag of Blanketing with Sand.

The _Frogs and Grasshoppers_, in wet Moss and long Grass, frequently moistned; and when used, the Legs of the first, and the Wings of the other must be cut close off.

The _Flies_, use them as you take them. Only, the _Wasps_, _Hornets_ and _Humble-Bee_, must be dryed in an Oven, their heads dipt in Sheeps blood, and dryed again, may be kept in a Box for use.

And now thus equipt let us walk to the Rivers side.

To begin then with the _Barbel_. The best time for Angling for this Fish is at the latter end of _May_, _June_, _July_, and beginning of _August_, in his Haunts aforementioned; and the best Bait (omitting others) is the well scoured _Lob-worm _(being of a curious cleanly Palate as well as shape) or Cheese steept an hour or two in clarified Honey. He is a subtile Fish, extraordinary strong, and dogged to be dealt with, and therefore be sure to have your Rod and Line strong and long, or you may endanger to break it.

For the _Breame_. The most seasonable time to Angle is from St. _James_ tide till _Bartholomew_ tide. He spawneth in _June_ or beginning of _July_; is easily taken, as falling on his side after one or two gentle turns, and so drawn easily to Land. The best Bait for him (most delightful to him) is the _Red-Worm_ (found in Commons and Chalky Grounds after Rain) at the root of a great Dock, wrapt up in a round Clue. He loves also Paste, Flag-Worms, Wasps, Green-Flies, Butter-Flies and a Grass-hopper, without Legs.

Bait your Ground the Night before with gross-ground Malt, boiled and strained, and then in the morning with the Red-Worm, bait your Hook, and plumbing your Ground within half an Inch, Fish.

The _Bleak_, an eager Fish, is caught with all sorts of Worms bred on Trees or Herbs, also with _Flies_, _Cad-bait_, _Bobs_, _Paste_, _Sheeps-Blood_, _White Snails_, _Wasps_, _Gnats_, &c. In a warm clear day the small Fly at the rim of the Water is best; in a Cloudy day, _Gentles_ or _Cad_-baits two foot in the Water.

The _Bull-head_ or _Millers-Thumb_, being Childrens recreation, I shall speak little of them, only being serviceable for Baits, I shall only say he is easily taken with a small Worm, being lazy and simple, and will swallow any thing; and the _Minnow_, _Loach_, and _Bansticle_ being of the same diet, I place here too.

The _Chevin_, loveth all sorts of Worms, _Flies_, _Cheese_, _Grain_, and _Black Worms_, their Bellies being slit, that the White may be seen: And very much delighteth in the Pith of an Oxes back, the tough outward skin being carefully taken off, without breaking the inward tender skin. In the Morning early angle for _Chevins_, with a _Snail_; in the heat of the day, with some other Bait; in the afternoon with the Fly; the great _Moth_, with a great Head, yellow Body, and whitish Wings, usually found in Gardens, about the Evening: The larger the _Chevin_, the sooner taken; loving his Bait larger, and variety on a Hook.

The _Char_ is a _Lancashire_ Fish, found in a _Mere_, called _Winander-Mere_ in that Country, the largest in _England_.

For the _Chub_, called by some a _Chevin_, by others a _Villain_. Bait your Hook with a Grass-hopper, find the hole where he lies, accompanied in a hot-day, with twenty or more, floating almost on the very superficies of the Water; choose which you think best, and fairest, and drop your Hook some two foot before him, and he will bite at it greedily, and cannot break hold with his _Leather Mouth_; let him play and tire, lest you break your Line. If you cannot get a _Grass-hopper_, then any Worm, or Fly you will. In cold Weather, Fish for him near the bottom, and the _Humble-Bee_ is the best Bait. Some appropriate Baits according to the Month, but I shall Omit that; The _Chub_ (being best and in his Prime in the Winter) a Paste made of Cheese, and Turpentine, is the only Bait to take him.

The _Carp_ is subtle, and full of Policy, will never bite in Cold Weather, but in Hot you cannot be too Early, or too Late. In _March_, he seldom refuseth the _Red-worm_, in _June_ the _Cad_ bait and the three next Months the _Grass-hopper_: Pastes that are sweet, of which I have spoken before, are very delightful to _Carps_: And especially, if you Bait your ground two or three dayes before you angle, with Pellets of course Paste, _Chickens-guts_, _Garbage_, &c. _Gentles_ anointed, and a Piece of _Scarlet_ dipt in _Honey_, put them on the Hook, is an approved way.

The _Dace_, _Dare_, _Rudd_, and _Roach_, being much of a kind, and feeding, I shall put together, and are easily taken with small Worms, _Bobs_, _Cad-baits_, _Flies_, _Sheeps-Blood_, all sorts of Worms bred on Trees or Herbs, _Paste_, _Wasps_, _Gnats_, _Lipberries_, &c. The Heads of the _Wasps_, being dipt in Blood, is good for _Dace_, and _Dare_; as is likewise the _Ant Fly_.

The _Eel_, takes great _Red-worms_, _Beef_, _Wasps_, _Guts_ of _Fowl_, or _Fish_, _Menows_, or small _Roaches_ are good Bait for Night Hooks; the Hooks being in the Mouth of the _Fish_. Now because this is very delightful to most, I shall prescribe three ways of taking them, as are most full of Pleasure. The first way is called; _Sniggling_, or _Broggling_ for _Eels_, thus: Take a strong Line and Hook baited with a _Lob_, or _Garden-Worm_, and observing where _Eels_ lurk in the day time, with a stick forked at the Top, gently put your Bait into the Hole, and if there be any _Eels_ there, you will not fail of a Bite, of as large as can be had, but pull not too hard lest you spoyl all. The second is called _Bobbing_, which is thus done: Take some large well scoured _Lobs_, and with a Needle, run some strong twisted Silk through them, from end to end, so many as are enough to wrap about a Board near a dozen times; tye them fast with the two ends of the Silk to hang in so many Hanks; then fasten all to a strong Cord, and a handful above the worms fasten a Plumbet of three quarters of a pound, and your Cord to a strong Pole, and in muddy Waters, you may Fish, and find the _Eels_ tug lustily, and when you think they have swallowed them, draw up your Line, and ashore with them. Lastly the _Eel-spear_ made with four teeth, jagged on both sides, stricken into the Mud, on the bottom of a River, and if you chance to strike where they lye, you infallibly take.

There is likewise an assured way of taking _Eels_, thus done: Take some Bottles of Hay, mixt with green _Osiers_ of _Willows_, Bait them with Sheeps-Guts, or other Beasts Garbage, sink them down in the middle, to the bottom of your Pond or by the Bank sides, having fastned a Cord to the Bottles, that you may twitch them up at your pleasure, and all the best _Eels_ will resort to them.

The _Flounder_, _Shad_, _Thwait_, _Suant_, and _Mullet_, are taken with _Red-Worms_ of all sorts, _Wasps_, and _Gentles_.

For the _Grayling_, you must head your Hook upon the shank, with a slender and narrow plate of Lead, that the Bait (a large Grass-hopper) may the more easily come over it; and at the point put a _Cad-bait_, and keep the Bait in continual motion; not forgetting to pull off the Grass-hoppers Wings.

The _Gudgeon_, takes the smallest Red-Worm, _Wasps_, _Gentles_, and _Cadbaits_. When you Fish for him, stir up the Sand or Gravel with a Pole, which will make them gather thither, and bite more eagerly.

The _Guiniad_, I shall remit speaking to, only mentioning it in course, being no where found, but in a place called _Pemble-Mere_, in which place they abound, as the River _Dee_ does with _Salmon_.

The _Pope_, or _Ruff_, is excellent for a young Angler, bites greedily, and quantities may be taken, by Baiting the Ground with fat Earth, and your Hook with small Red-Worms.

The _Pike_, loveth all sorts of Baits (unless the Fly) _Gudgeon_, _Dace_, _Roaches_ and _Loaches_; and young _Frogs_ in Summer time, of which the yellowest is best.

The _Pearch_, taketh all sorts of Earth-worms, especially the _Lob-worm_, and _Brandling_, well scowred, _Bobs_, _Oak-worms_, _Dors_, _Gentles_, _Cole-wort-worms_, _Wasps_, _Cad-baits_, and _Menow_, or a little _Frog_, the Hook being fastned through the skin of his Leg, towards the upper part of it. Be sure you give the _Pearch_ time enough to pouch his Bait, before you strike.

The _Salmon_, is taken best with _Lob-worms_, scented with the Oyl of Ivy Berries, or the Oyl of _Polypody_, of the _Oak_ mixt with _Turpentine_: Or the well scowred Garden-worm, is an excellent Bait: The _Salmon_, bites best in _May_, _June_, and _July_, at three a Clock in the Afternoon, if the Water be clear, a little Wind stirring, especially near the Sea.

The _Tench_, is a great lover of large Red worms first dipt in Tar. As also all sorts of Paste, made up with strong scented Oyls, or Tar, or a Paste made up of Brown Bread, and Honey. He will bite too at a _Cad-worm_, _Lob-worm_, _Flag-worm_, green _Gentle_, _Cadbait_, _Marsh-worm_, or soft boil'd _Bread-grain_, &c.

The _Torcoth_, being before mentioned, I only let you know, that he is only found, in the Pool _Linperis_ in _Carnarvon-shire_; and leave you to the _Welchmens_ description, both of him and his Bait.

The _Trout_, is fattest, and in his prime in _May_, and is caught with all sorts of Worms, especially _Brandlings_, commonly found in an Old _Dung-hill_, _Cow-dung_, _Hogs-dung_, or _Tanners-bark_: Also with Flies, Natural and Artificial, with young _Frogs_, _Menow_, _Marsh_, _Dock_, or _Flag-worms_; all sorts of _Cadbait_, _Dors_, _Bobs_, _Palmers_, _Gentles_, _Wasps_, _Hornets_, &c. and with the _Caterpillar_, used according to the Rule before prescribed for the _Grayling_. _Lastly_

The _Umber_, is taken as the _Trout_, just now mentioned; And therefore now to your Sport: To assist your well effecting which, I have but this to add; Cast into your Haunts where you use to Fish, once in four or five days, soft boiled Corn (or oftner for Carp, and Tench) Also Garbage, Beasts Livers, chopt Worms, Grains steept in Blood, to attract them to the place; and to keep them together, throw in half a handful of Grains or ground Malt: But in a stream, cast it above your Hook, that floating towards you you may draw the Fish thither.

_Sundry curious Baits for Fish._

These grow on the Cuccow pints, or wak-Robin, and are found in dry ditches, overgrown with Brambles; they are about the bigness of Pease, and in _July_ and _August_, are of a lovely transparent Red, and are excellent baits for Roaches, and Chubs; and for the first, two will serve, but for the latter, you may put four or five at a time on the Hook.

_Oat-Cakes with Cheese._

Beat these together into a Paste, the Cheese being new, and stick them together, with a little Honey, letting the Paste Lye all Night in a wet Linnen Cloath, then fit it up in baits, and cover your Hook with it.

_To keep Baits for the Pike, or Night-hooks._

For this, take a small Roach, Dace, Loach, Minnow, Smelt, small Trout, or Pearch, cutting off the Finns on the back, or small Eels well scoured in Wheat-Bran, which will keep them better and longer, taking a way the slime and watery substance, that causes them to rot or decay the sooner.

_Fishes Eyes._

Take out the Eyes of such Fish as you catch, and put three or four of them on a Hook, and they will prove an excellent bait for most sorts of Fish.

_Fat Bacon._

Cut this in little small Long snips, and especially at Snap, it is exceeding good to take a Chub or Pike, from the latter end of _August_ to the beginning of _April_.

_The Pith of the Back-bone of a Sheep._

Take out the Pith that runs through the Back-bone, and take off the Tough outward Skin, and leave the thin tender white Skin on, and bait with about half an Inch of it, and it takes a Chevin to admiration.

_Grain, Wheat, Malt._

Bruise either of these finely, fry them in Honey, make them up into Pasts with Oyl of Peter; and either in Winter or Summer they take Chub, Roach, Dace or Bleak.

_How to bring Fish, if any in the Pond or River, to the place you desire._

Boyl clean Barly in Water till it bursts, with Licorice, and a little Mummy; add some Honey and beat them together in a Mortar into a stiff Paste, and boyl about the quantity of a Wall-nut of this Paste with a quart of Barly till it grows Glutenous, and then lay it for a ground bait, and the Fish will flock about it from all parts.

_To make worms for Baits come out of the Ground._

Boyl an Ounce of Verdigrise in a quart of strong Vinegar, and Sprinkle a little in places where you suspect Worms are, and they will Crawl out of the Ground.

_Another approved Bait._

Take the Fat of a Heron, Mummy, and Galbanum; of each two drams, Scent them with a Grain of Musk, and make them up with two Ounces of _Aqua-vitæ_, stir them over a gentle Fire in an Earthen Vessel till they become thick, and with this rub the Hook, and end of the Line, and the Scent of it will draw the Fish to it; you must also have at the same time a proper Bait on your Hook for such Fish as are in the place you Angle.

_The Artificial Cod or Cad Bait._

Make the Body of yellow Bees-wax, and head of black Dubin and black Silk, or you may make the Body of yellow washed Leather, Shamey or Buff, and the head all of black Silk, and this is an Incomparable bait for Trout, Salmon or Smelts, and those that are natural are most Excellent baits for Trout, Grayling, Salmons, Tench, Roach, Chub, Dace, Carp, Tench, Ruff, Bream and Bleak; but then you must Fish with it in clear Water only.

_Rules and Considerations about Baits in general._

Fish in general take all such baits freely, as nature at that season affords in or near the places where you Angle, for being used to them they are not afraid of any deceit, but take them as their common food. And for flies in this case, in a Morning or Evening, when you go to Angle beat the bushes about the Rivers or Ponds, and such Flies as you rouse there, Fish with, either Natural, or imitate them by Art; as also see what Worms or other Insects fit for baits stick on the Leaves, Grass, or are in the Water; and in this Observation you cannot miss of good Sport; and when you have struck gently the backway, draw a little, and be not too hasty to take up before the Fish has had her play and spent her strength lest she break your Tackle. If your Fish be large, you must use your Landing Net.

_To take Fish in the Night with a Light._

This is an Admirable way to supply you with a sudden Dish, _viz._ Take a Glass in the form of a Urinal very deep, put as much Clay in the bottom of it as will sink the Mouth of it within an Inch of the Water, floating on pieces of Cork, tied about the Neck to keep it steadily upright, then place a Candle in it, by sticking it in the Clay-socket, anointing the out side of the Glass with Oyl of Asper. This Light will shine a great way in a still Water, so that the Fish being amazed at so unusual a Sight, will come out of their holes about it, and be detained with the scent of the Oyl so long, that with a Hoop-net you may take great store of them.

_Flies proper for every Month._

_For February_, little red brow Palmer flies, the Plain Hackle, the Silver Hackle, the Gold Hackle, the great Dun, the great blew Dun, the dark brown.

_For March_, the little whirling Dun, the early bright Brown, the whitish Dun, the Thorn-tree fly, the blue Dun, the little black Gnat, the little bright Brown.

_For April_, the small bright Brown, the little dark brown, the great whirling Dun, the Violet Fly, the yellow Dun, the Horse-flesh-fly.

_For May_, the Dun-cout, the Green-drake, the Stone-fly, the black May fly, the little yellow May Fly, the Gray-drake, the Camlet fly, the Turkey Fly, the yellow Palmer, the black-flat Fly, the light-brown, the little Dun, the white Gnat, the Peacock Fly, the Cow-Lady, the Cowturd-fly.

_For June_, From the first to the 24th the Green Drake and Stone Fly, the Owl fly, the Barn fly, the purple Hackle, the purple Gold Hackle, the flesh Fly, the little flesh Fly, the Peacock fly, the Ant fly, the brown Gnat, the little black Gnat, the Green-Grasshopper, the Dun Grasshopper, the Brown Hackle.

_For July_, The Badger fly, the Orange fly, the little white Dun, the Wasp fly, the Black Hackle, the Shell fly, the black brown Dun.

_For August_. The late Ant fly, the Fern fly, the white Hackle, the Harry-long-Legs.

_For September_. The Cammel brown fly, the late Badger fly.

_For October_. The same Flies that were used in _March_.