The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. X.

Of the Natures, Qualities, &c. Of Several sorts of Fish, with Directions to take them.

THe GVDGEON is a small but excel∣lent Fish, being not much inferior to the Smelt, for an excellent pleasant Tast; he Spawas three or four times in the Summer Season, and delights in swift Streams and gravelly bottoms, lying low, so that he seldom bites eagerly; and if once he be struck, you can hardly lose him, being a leather Mouthed Fish. Your Bait must always Trail gently on the Ground, whether you use Float or not; some use a Runing-Line, without Cork or Float as for the Trout, but of all Baits the small Red-worm is the best; also Wasps, Gen∣tles and Cad-baits are very good. In the Heat of Summer this Fish lyes scattered up and down in shallow places of the River; but in the Cold Weather they betake themselves to deep places, and accompany together. If you would catch store of this Fish, be provided with a long Pole, to stir up the Sand and Gravel, which will gather them together; and cause them to Bite more eagerly.

The ROACH is a leather Mouthed Fish, and being once struck, seldom loseth his hold, having his Teeth in his Throat, as all leather Mouthed Fish have; this is no delicate Fish, being so full of Bones, the best part is the Spawn; he is ve∣ry easily taken, biting eagerly; and as the Carp for his cuning is esteemed the Water-fox, so this for his Simplicity is Termed the Water-sheep. They are great Storers of Ponds and Rivers, but those in the former are of less Esteem, though not so long.

This Fish Spawns about the middle of May. The general Baits are small white Snayls, Cad∣baits, Bobs, Sheeps-blood, all sorts of Worms, Gnats, Wasps and Paist; In April the Cadis, or Worms are proper; In the Hot Summer Months the White Snayls and Flies; but note they must be under Water, for they will not bite at the Top. In August any slight Paist made of Bread and Honey kneaded into a Paist, will serve well

enough; this will also serve in the Winter, but Gentiles are esteemed a better Bait in the cold Weather: You must Fish about a Handful from the bottom. The Black Ant-fly which is plenti∣fully to be found in Ant or Mole-hills about Au∣gust, if it hath her Wings entire, is an excellent Bait, the like is the short thick white Worm, which is usually found at the Plow-Tail, at the breaking up of the Ground. Also young Wasps and Bees their Heads being dipt in Blood are [ 10] excellent Baits. There are several other good Baits, as Sheeps Blood dryed hard, mixt with a little Salt to drain out the wateryness, and cut into small pieces; also take a handful, or two of good Wheat, boil it in Milk till it be soft, then gently fry it with Honey, and a little beaten Saf∣fron dissolved in Milk.

DACE are much of the same Nature of the Reach, so that what Directions you find for the one, may serve for the other, with this Distincti∣on, [ 20] that Dace will Bite towards the top of the Water very freely, but better at the bottom: If you boil a Handful of Wheat in a little Milk un∣til it be soft, and then fry it gently with some Honey, so that you break not the Wheat, 'tis an excellent Bait, especially if in the frying you add a little Saffron dissolved in two or three Spoon∣fuls of Milk. The several sorts of Cadis-Worms, are also all proper Baits for this Fish. It will Bite at any Fly, but principally at Ant-flies, of [ 30] which the blackish found in Mole-Hills, in June, July, August and September, are the best; for preserving them for use, put them alive into a Glass-Bottle, in which is some of the Earth from whence they are taken, with some of the Roots of the Grass of the Hillock; then lay a Clod of Earth over it, and they will keep good a Month or two, provided you bruise not their Wings. The best time to take them is, when they Swarm, which is about the latter end of July, and begin∣ning [ 40] of August. The White Worm with the Red-head, found in new broken up Grounds that are Heathy or Sandy, are excellent Baits for the Winter. If you put them into a Vessel with some of the Earth from whence they were ta∣ken they may be preserved all the Win∣ter.

The CHVB is known by the Name of a Cheven, or Chavender, in several places; he Spawns in March, is very full of forked Bones, and eats [ 50] very Waterish: Of all Fish, he is best to enter a young Angler, as being very easy to be taken greedily biting the Bait; and although he is a Leather Mouthed Fish, and will not easily get free, yet being strong, you must give him play, for fear of breaking your Line. He delights to lie on the Top of the Water, but is of that fear∣ful quality, that he will sink down at the Shadow of any thing that he espies, were it a Bird that flyeth over the Water, but he soon riseth up a∣gain. [ 60]

Now for the taking this Fish observe these Di∣rections; Find out some Hole (for he delights in such places, and Pools rather than in Rivers), and in a hot day several of them will lie floating al∣most on the surface of the Water; and having your Tackle in readiness, and your Hook baited with a Grashopper (which for that Season is best) be sure so to order your business (by absconding your self behind some Tree) that you are not espi∣ed; then cast in your Hook gently about Two Foot before the Chub, that you design to take, and you will hardly miss him: For want of a Grashopper you may use any great Fly, Beetle, or Dor, having his Wings cut off, and in Winter the Brains of a Horse is a most certain Bait to take them; for they bite so greedily at it in the extre∣mity of Winter, that you may in a manner clear a River of them, and indeed they will greedily Bite at any Bait.

In Hot Weather Angle for him near the Top of the Water, and in Cold near the Bottom; In March, and April Bait with Worms; In May, June, and July, with Flyes, Snayls, &c. and in August, Sep∣tember, &c. use Paists.

TROVTS are not only a delicate Fish, but afford great pleasure in taking them. They Bite either high or low at Flies or Ground-Baits, in Pooles or in swift Streams: Tis pity he is not always in Season, yet he comes in and goes out with good Company, viz. the Stag and Buck. His chief de∣light is in hard Gravels. The Spawns in October, and November, which is contrary to the Nature of other Fish, which Spawn in the Spring, which is a Season most fit for generation.

The Trout is always lowsy, lean, and unwhol∣som, in Cold Weather; but when it begins to be Warm, he gathers strength, and forsaking the still and deep Streams, keepeth in the Gravelly and shal∣low Waters, for the rubing and cleansing himself from his Lowsiness; these Lice are a small Worm, with a pretty big Head, and stick close to his Sides, sucking away his Moisture.

The Baits most proper for the Trout are Worms, Minnows, or Flies, either Natural or Artificial; and of all Worms, those called the Dew-Worm, Lob-Worm, and the Brandling, found in old Dung-hills are the best.

By the way remember that in Fishing with Worms, you always clap them alive on your Hook, and get such as are strong and lusty, such as will stir and move a good while in the Water on your Hook; for when once they are dead, it is to little purpose to keep them on. For the preserva∣tion of these Worms, keep them in a Box with Moss, to nourish them, which must be often shif∣ted, and their Food as often changed, especially in the Summer Season.

If you Fish with the Minow, or Stickle-bag, let it not be too big; or for want of Natural Mi∣nows, use Artificial ones; all the skill is in Bait∣ing your Hook, which must be hid in the Mouth of the Minnow, and let the Point a little come out of his Gill, but his Body must be strait.

Use neither Cork nor Plumet when you Fish for the Trout, either with Minnows or Flies, Natural or Artificial. Now concerning the Flies, I have already treated how to make them, however a word or two more. If you can Bait your Hook with a Natural Live Fly, such an one as you perceive to use the Water at that time, and at which the Trouts, leap that is best; and next to that an Artificial Fly exactly made, for which take the assistance of some Expert Fly-Maker; for

one Ocular Observation will make a deeper im∣pression than Twenty Verbal Lectures, for Ex∣ample teacheth better than Precept.

In carrying your Rod, move it with an even hand, so as your Fly may gently touch the Top of the Water, cutting the Stream as it were just as you shall see the Natural Flies do.

As for Paists they are not very kindly for Trouts, unless for old large ones, which are difficult to be got out of their Holes, unless by Night; for [ 10] they are as crafty as old beaten Hares. When you suspect that any lie concealed in Holes, then go out in the Evening and Bait your Hook with any Paist, drawing it gently on the Top of the Water; and the Trout will then make to it very greedily; but be sure lie concealed if it be Moon∣shine, for this Fish is exceeding quick-sighted, and very coy, so that the Mornings and Evenings, are the best, except in Gloomy Weather.

The EEL was by the Romans esteemed the [ 20] Helena of their Feasts, as being so dainty a Fish; most men differ about their Breeding, for some are of Opinion, that they Breed by Generation as o∣ther Fish, whist others say, that they are Bred of Mud, or other putrifaction of the Earth (as are Rats, Mice, and many other Creatures) and deny them to have either Spaw, or Melt; others hold that when they grow Old, Breed others out of the Corruption of their Old Age; and others are of Opinion, that they are Bred of a particular [ 30] Dew that falls in the Months of May or June, on the Banks of Rivers or Ponds, which in a few days, by the heat of the Sun, is turned into small Eels; and these are by some called Yelvers.

It is by Experience found, concerning the Breed∣ing of Eels, That take two large Turfs of Grass, which cut about a Foot square and Three Inches thick, lay them Grass to Grass, tie them together with Pack-Thread, and lay them in a Pond in May, and they will Bred Eels; and this may be [ 40] done for the storing Ponds therewith.

The most Curious have distinguished Eels into four sorts, viz. the Silver Eel; the Greenish Eel, which is called a Greg; the Blackish Eel, which hath a broad flat Head, and the Eel with Redish Fins. I shall only speak of the Silver Eel, which is believed to be Bred by Generation, and not by Spawning, the young coming forth alive from her about the length and bigness of a middle sized Pin; and this sort is esteemed the best and deli∣catest [ 50] Dish

Eels delight in Muddy Banks, and in Rotten Roots of Old Trees, that grow on the Banks of Rivers. The best places to Fish for them with an Angle are at Mill-Ponds, Wears, Bridges, great Falls, and the like; Your Lines must be strong, not very long, well Plumed, and must have a good round Hook without a Cork; for you must hold your Line stiff, and not to pull smartly, but suffer him first to tire himself. They seldom stir [ 60] out of their Holes during the Winter Season, but keep in the Mud; nor do they much stir abroad at any Season in the Day, so that the most proper time to take them is in the Night.

The best Baits to take them are the Red Worm, the Minnow, pieces of Sheeps, or Hens-Guts, young Lampries, or Lamperns, but above all, pieces of raw powdred Beef; Now the ways to take Eels with the said Baits are as followeth: Fasten your Line to the Bank-side with your laying Hooks in the Water, or you may throw in a Line with good store of Hooks Baited and Plum'd with a Float, to discover where the Line lieth, that when you come in the Morning, you may take it up with your Drag-Hook.

Bobing for EELS.

THere is a way to take Eels, viz. Bobing, that is take very large Lobs, scour them well, and with a Needle run some strong twisted Silk through them from End to End; then take so many as to wrap them about a Board, at least a dozen times, and tie them fast with the two Ends of the Silk that they may hang in so many Hanks; then fasten all to a strong Cord, and a∣bout Four Inches above the Worms fasten a Plum of about Three quarters of a Pound, and so fasten your Cord to a strong Pole: Having thus your Tackle ready, choose a Muddy Place to Fish in, and when you think they have swallowed them as far as they can, draw up your Line gently, and bring them to Shoar.

Snigling for EELS.

THere is another way to take Eels, called Snigling; this is done in the Day, and af∣ter this manner: Take a strong Line and Hook Baited with a Lob, or Garden Worm, and obser∣ving such Holes and places where they use to lie (as near Wears, Mills, or Flood Gates) and gently by the help of a Stick, putting your Bait into such Holes or Places where you think they lie, you will hardly miss taking them; but be careful of pulling it out too boisterously.

Eels are also taken by Eel Spears, which you are to strike into the Mud to the bottom, where they lie. These Spears are common and known to all. And this way is best in Winter, for then they lie in deep, Muddy, Sedgy-Beds. many toge∣ther.

FLOVNDERS delight in Brackish Streams, wherein the Salt-Water Ebbs and Flows, as the Thames, Medway, Severn, and the like; yet will they get up a good way into Fresh Streams, where they will thrive very well. It is a Fish that affords good sport to the Angler, and are greedy biters; nevertheless they are crafty, so that you must not let your Bait lie still to draw them on the more eagerly. The Months most proper to Fish for them are in April, May, June, and July, at any time of the Day; they delight to lie either in a swift Stream, or in the still Deep, but chiefly in the Stream. The best Baits are the Red Worms, Wasps and Gentles, your Line must be strong, and Plumbed within Eight Inches of your Hook. The Flounder will thrive and grow exceedingly in Ponds, but will not Breed there.

The CHAR is a Fish not known to be taken any where but in Wimander-Meer, in Lancashire; It is esteemed a delicate Dish, and is oft used for Pies, and sent to London for Presents. 'Tis a Spotted Fish, like a Trout, and seldom exceeds a

Foot and an half in length, being free from Bones, having scarce any but what is on his Back. This Fish is for the generality taken with Nets.

The GVINIAD is an excellent Fish, and only found in Pemble-Meer, and generally taken also with Nets.

The GRALING, and the VMBER, are by some esteemed all one Fish, but differ in size, as the Herring and Pilcher, and are much of the nature and property of the Trout, but scarce [ 10] so big. They delight in clear swift Streams, with Sandy Shoars, and are taken with the same Baits, and after the same manner; but especially the Fly is the chief Bait, at which he is very greedy and bold. He is no Leather-mouthed Fish, therefore easily lost after he is struck. In the Winter he lyeth very close; but after April he appears, and is easily taken. But the best Fishing for the Graling is to go into the Water, and to stir up the Gravel and Sand with your [ 20] Feet, or with a Pole; and then with a Worm Fish down the Stream, where the Water runs thick.

You should do well to Head your Hook upon the Shank, with a very slender narrow Plate of Lead, and let it be slenderer at the Bent of the H••ok, that the Bait may the easier come over it; and keep your Bait always in Motion.

The STICKLE-BAG is a small prickly Fish without Scales, and not Fished for, but for [ 30] Baits to catch other Fish.

The MINNOW is also a small Fish with∣out Scales, and used also for a Bait for other Fish. It is a great Spawner, and serveth as well for a Prey, as for a Bait for Fish; the like is the Stickle-bag.

The BARBEL is a Leather-mouthed Fish, and though he seldom breaks his hold when hooked, yet he oft breaks both Rod and Line, if he proves to be a big one. The Male is [ 40] esteemed much the best, but neither very good. They swim together in great Shoals, and are at their worst in April, about which time they Spawn, but soon come in Season. This Fish loves to frequent Weedy places, and in a Gravelly rising Ground, wherein he is said to Root with his Nose, like a Hog: In the Summer he also fre∣quents the strongest Swifts of the Water, as deep Bridges, or Wears, &c. amongst the Piles, Hollow Places, and Weeds; but in the Winter he retires [ 50] into deep Waters, and there helps the Female to make a Hole in the Sand for her Spawn, which she hideth from being devoured by other Fish. It is a very cuning and curious Fish for his Baits, for if they be not clean, sweet, and well scoured, and kept in sweet Moss he will not Bite, which if well ordered, and curiously kept, he will Bite with great eagerness; the best Bait is the Spawn of a Salmon Trout, or any other Fish; and if you would have good Sport, Bait the places where [ 60] you intend to Fish therewith a Night or two be∣fore, or with big Worms cut into pieces; and the earlier in the Morning, or later in the Evening that you Fish, it is the better; Also the Lob-worm is a very good Bait: Be sure to cover all your Hook with the Bait. Your green Gentles are also a very good Bait, and so are bits of tough Cheese, laid a steep about Twenty four Hours in Clari∣fied Honey; and if you Bait the Ground with the same you can hardly miss taking them, if there be any. Your Rod and Line must be both long and strong, and let him tire himself before you Land him; for it is a strong Fish, and will struggle much.

BREAMS are of two sorts, the one a salt, and the other a fresh Water Fish, but differ little from each other as to Tast, Shape, or Nature. The fresh Water ones breeds in Ponds and Ri∣vers, but delight best in the former, and are generally fairer and fatter in them than in Rivers. It is a lusty strong Fish, so that your Tackling must be very good; he hath two Sets of Teeth, is a very great Breeder; the Melter being ob∣served to have two large Melts, and the Spawner as many Bags of Spawn, and Spawneth in June and July. The best Season for Angling for him, is from St. James-Tide until Bartholomew-Tide.

This Fish is a great lover of Red Worms, especially such as are to be found at the Root of great Docks, also Flag-worms, Wasps, Green∣flies, Grashoppers, which must have their Legs cut off, and Paist, of which there are many sorts, which are found very good Baits for him; but the best are made of Brown-Bread and Honey, Gentles, young Wasps, Grass-hoppers, and the Red Worms.

It is a curious Fish to be taken with Hook and Line, therfore observe these Directions, which may also further you in your Carp-fishing, which is much of the same Nature. Get a Quart of large Red Worms, and in about three Weeks they will be throughly scoured, if you put them into fresh Moss well washt and dryed every three or four Days, feeding them with fat Mould and chopt Fennel.

Your Lines should be Silk and Hair; but the best are all Silk. Your Floats should be Swan-Quill Float, or large Goose-Quills. For your Plumb take a piece of Lead fashioned like a Pear, with a small Ring at the little End of it; fasten your Lead to your Line, and your Line-Hook to your Lead, about ten or twelve Inches space be∣tween Hook and Lead is sufficient, and be sure your Lead is heavy enough to sink the Float. Your Hook being well baited, and your Worm strong, the Worm will draw your Hook up and down on the Bottom, which will provoke the Bream to bite the more eagerly.

If you fit three or four Rods and Lines in this manner, and set them as shall be directed, your Sport will be much the better. Get the exact Depth of the Water (if possible) that your Float may lye just equal with the Water, directly over your Lead. Then provide this following Ground-Bait; Take about a Peck of sweet Gross-ground Malt, and boyl it a very little; then strain it hard through a Bag, and carry it to the Water∣side where you have Sounded, and where you suppose the Fish do frequent, there throw in the said Malt by Handfuls, well squeezed, that the Stream may not separate it before it comes to the Bottom; and be sure to cast it in at least a Tard above the place where you intend your

Hook shall Lodge, otherwise the Stream will carry it somewhat down. Do this about Nine of the Clock at Night, and preserve some of your Malt in your Bag, and about Three in the Morn∣ing Visit the place, but with great care at a di∣stance, least you are espied by them; for it is certain, that they have their Sentinels watching on the Top of the Water, whilst the rest feed under; then dexterously Bait your Hook, so that the Worm may crawl too and fro the better to [ 10] entice the Fish to bite; and where you find the Fish to play most, and stay longest (which is generally in the deepest and broadest part of the River) there cast it in, that it may rest about the midst of your Bait that is on the Ground. Cast in your second Line to rest about a Yard above that, and a third about a Yard below it. Let your Rods lye on the Bank, with some Stones▪ or the like, to stay them at the great Ends, and then withdraw your self, yet so as [ 20] to have in your Eye all the Floats, and when you see one bitten, and carried away, be not over-hasty to run in, but give time to the Fish to tire himself, and then gently touch him.

If there be any Carps in the River, 'tis an even lay you take one or more of them; and if there be any Pike, or Perch, to be sure they'l visit the Ground Bait, though they touch it not, being drawn thither by the great resort of the small Fish; and until you remove them 'tis in vain to [ 30] think of taking the Bream, or Carp. In this case let one of your Hooks be baited with a small Bleak, Roach, or Gudgeon, about two foot deep from your Float, with a little Red Worm at the Point of your Hook, and if a Pike be there he will be sure to snap it.

This Sport is good till Nine in the Morning, and in a Gloomy Day till Night; but however it is good to withdraw; and about Four in the Afternoon cast in the remainder of your Malt, [ 40] and proceed as before; but do not frequent one place too much, lest the Fish grow too crafty for you.

The TENCH (for the most part) lieth at the Bottom of the Water, and chiefly in Muddy Soyls, and amongst Weeds; he delights in Pits and Ponds, more than in Rivers; his Flesh is very good, and of a pleasant Tast, although he fre∣quents Muddy places: In the Heat of the Year he will Bite freely, else not; therefore the best [ 50] Season for Angling is in June, July, and August, and early in the Mornings, and late at Nights.

Though the Pike preys on most sorts of small Fish, yet he will not touch a Tench, which is supposed to proceed from the benefit he receives from them in point of Health; for being sick, the approach of this Fish to rub against him revives him, and the Slime is very good for all wounded Fish, and therefore he is called the [ 60] Fishes Physician. Authors write strange Vertues to be in the Tench; but how true, I dare not affirm.

Though Baits which the Tench delights in are sweet Paists, as that which is made of Brown-Bread and Honey; he will also Bite very gree∣dily at any Paist wherein Tar or sweet Oil is an Ingredient; also at the Maggot, Red Worm, Cad-Worm, Lob-Worm, Gentle, and at dryed Wasps, especially if dipt in Honey.

To take good store of this Fish observe these Directions: Provide your self with a good large Casting-Net well Leaded, with a large Mesh, and deep tucked; then make the place (where you intend to Fish) clean from Stakes and Bushes with a Rahe, or some such thing, that there may be nothing to entangle it; then take a quarter of a Peck of Wheat baked well in an Oven, with about three Quarts of Water, also five Pints of Blood, and mix it with the Wheat well together, adding thereto as much Bran as will make it become a strong Paist; then take about a Quart of Lob-Worms chopt in pieces, and mix them in the Paist, and make it up into Balls about the bigness of a Goose-Egg, and throw them into the Pond within the compass of the Casting-Net, and betwixt whiles cast in some Grains; then when you think the Fish have found the Baiting place, about the Close of the Evening cast in your Net over the said Baiting-place. This being done, have a long Pole with a large Cork to stir all about the Net to raise the Fish, which are gene∣rally stuck in the Mud, where they can't long endure, and let the Net lye near half an hour before you take it up, and be sure to lift up the Crown of the Net upright with a long Staff, that the Fish may play in the Tuck of the Net.

The PERCH is a bold biting Fish, being one of the Fishes of Prey, that like the Pike and Trout he carries his Teeth in his Mouth, which are very large; and he is so Voratious, that he dares attack one of his own kind, vvhich the Pike vvill hardly do: He hath an hooked or Hog Back, vvhich is armed vvith sharp and stiff Bristles, and all his Skin is covered vvith dry hard Scales, having two Fins on his Back vvhich few other Fish have; he is also a slow grower, and seldom exceeds two foot in length; he Spawns but once a year, and that in February or March. There are said to be two sorts of Perches, the one Salt Water, and the other Fresh; the first hath but one Fin on his Back, the other hath two. By the Physicians this Fish is held very nourishing, but hard of digestion.

The Perch biteth vvell all the Day in Cloudy Weather, but chiefly in the Morning and to∣wards the Evening: The best Season of the Year is vvhen the Spring is far spent, at vvhich time he Bites so greedily, that you may take at one stand∣ing all that are in one Hole; and in a fair vvarm Day in the Winter he will also Bite, else not.

The proper Baits for the Perch are the Belly of a Mackrel cut into small pieces about the size of a Minnow; the small Frog, the Minnow, and the Worm called the Brandling, if vvell scoured is the best; you may also use the Lob-Worm vvell scoured, likewise Bobs, Gentles, Oak-Worms, Wasps, and Cad-Baits.

The Perch is no Leather-mouthed Fish, and therefore vvhen he Bites give time enough to pouch his Bait, and carry your Bait about Mid-Water, vvith a Cork on your Line.

If you Bait with a Minow (which affords the most diversion), Fix your Hook through his up∣per Lip, or in at the Back, only taking up the Skin, and then he will Swim up and down, being kept up by the Cork and Line. If you Bait with a Frog, then put the Hook through the Skin, and his Leg towards the upper part.

Your Line should be good and strong, and a good Hook Armed with Wyre, so that if a Pike comes you may be prepared for him. But before [ 10] you go to your Work, it were not amiss to Bait the Ground where you intend to Fish over Night, with Lob-Worms chopt in pieces.

The BLEAK is by some called the Fresh-Wa∣ter Sprat, or the River-Swallow, by reason of his continual Motion, for it delights to be on the Top of the Water, and always in Motion, mak∣ing short and quick turns to entrap the Flies. He is an eager biter, and is caught with all sorts of Worms bred on Trees, or Plants; also with Flies, [ 20] Paist, Sheeps-Blood, &c. and in an Evening the Bleak will take the Natural, or Artificial Fly, that is but small, and of a Brownish Colour, with a Hook answerable▪

The Fish useth to keep in Company together, so that a Pater-Noster Line is good to take them; that is, a Line which Seven or Eight small Hooks fastned to it, at every Six Inches distance, and with this a reasonable Angler may take Four or Five at a time. [ 30]

The best Bait in a warm clear Day is the small Fly, at the Top of the Water, at which they will Bite very eagerly, especially in the Evening; and if it be cold and cloudy, Gentles, or Cadice are the best, and to Fish at about Two Foot under Water.

There is an excellent way to catch Bleaks, by whiping them in a Boat, or on a Bank-Side, in swift Water in a Somers Evening with a Hazel Top about Five or Six Foot long, and with a [ 40] Line about twice the length.

The POPE, or RVFF, is a Fish not very com∣mon, especially in some Rivers; for Shape it is like a Perch, but for bigness seldom exceeds the Gudgeon. It is an excellent tasted Fish; they bite freely and keep in Sholes, where the Water is deep, and runs quick, so that an Angler may catch Forty, or Fity at one standing.

Your Bait is the small Red-Worm, and if you give him first a Ground Bait of fresh Earth, it is [ 50] very good to draw them together, and to keep them there. Bob-Worms, and Maggots are also good Baits, and generally all sorts of sweet Paists.

The PIKE is a Fish of a great strength, is said to live longer than any other Fish; he is a great devourer of all small Fish; but will not meddle with the Tench: They are bred some by Generation, and others by the Suns heat reflecting on secret, and unknown predisposed Matters, which is a Truth past Controversy. [ 60]

He is of such a Voratious Nature, that he is called the Fresh-Water Wolf; he is a Melancluly Fish, and loveth to be alone, as greedy to seek his Prey, his common Food is either Pickerel-Weed, Frogs, or small Fish. The best Pikes are found in Rivers, and most in Meers and Ponds.

The Pike is a Bold Fish in this respect, that he feareth not to see or to be seen by a Man, which is contrary to the Nature of all other Fish. You may Fish for him with Ledger, or a Walking-Bait, the former is fixed to some certain place, of which here∣after; for the latter it is which is now to be handled.

The skill in Baiting your Hook with a Frog, or Fish, so that they may receive little hurt, and to live long in the Water after, is the chief thing in this Art of Pike-Fishing with an Angle. To be exact at it, do thus; Take the Yellowest Frog you can get (for those are not poysonous, and Pikes are greedy of them) from April till August you may find their Mouths open, but all the year after quite lockt up, so that how they can then feed is a secret in Nature not known; having such a Frog, put your Arming Wyer through his Mouth, and out at his Gills; then with a Needle and Thread stitch up the upper part of his Leg to the said Arming-Wyer, and so fix it; one Stitch is e∣nough and do it so as not to give him any hurt, that he may continue in full strength: Also cut a little the skin of his Back and put in some Salt; this will make him Croak, or Cry, which will the sooner draw the Fish to him.

If you Bait with a Fish, let it be either a Perch, Roach, Daice, or Large Minnow; the manner is thus, Between the Head and Fin or the Back make an Incision with a sharp prointed Pen-Knife, that you may put in your Arming-Wyer, and force it out at another Skar at the lower end of the Back near the Tayl, then tie him about with a Thread, but no harder than just to keep on the Fish and not to hurt it. If you use a dead Bait, then put your Hook in at the Tayl, and let the Point come out just at the Gills, and ever move your Line to and fro, that the Pike seeing the Fish move, may not discover your Fraud, and be provoked to come on the more eagerly. The most excellent attra∣ctive way for a Pike is to anoint your Baits, wheither dead or alive, in a little Ivy-Gum, dis∣solved is some Oyl of Spike, and cast it where you intend to Fish, and having lain a little while at the Bottom, draw it to the Top, and so up the Stream, and if there be any Pikes within sent of it, they will eagerly pursue the Bait, and the bigger the Bait is the better. Having taken one be sure to tire him well before you Land him, and let your Hook be well armed, and your Line all of Silk, except within about a Yard of the Hook, which must be a strong Wyer twisted and strengthend about with other small Wyer.

In May, June and July, Pikes are said to go a Froging in Ditches, and do also lie a Suning them∣selves; at these times they are easy to be taken, and that by this means; Take a Line of Seven or Eight Foot, then Arm a very large Hook to the Line which must be neatly Leaded at the Shank of the Hook, and of such a weight that he may guid the Hook at pleasure, and with this Hook without a Bait a Pike may be struck without fear of losing it.

TROWLING for the PIKE.

THere is a way to take Pikes called Trowling which is thus done; Take a Hazel-Rod about Twelve Foot long, then fix to the Top of the

Rod some strong Wyer, which must have a Noose to draw up, when you have entangled the Pike.

Snapping for PIKES.

THis is thus performed, put a strong dou∣ble Hook well Armed upon a very strong Line, which must be of the length of your Pole. Bait the Hook as before directed for the Trowling, [ 10] either with a small Fish, or for want thereof with a small Bird, his Feathers being all pulled off. Keep your Bait always moving, and so soon as the Pike Bites, with a strong smart Jerk strike, and fling him out of the Water.

There is another way to take the Pike, and that is, take a forked Stick with a Line, about twelve Yards long wound upon it, and leave at the upper end about a Yard to tye a Bladder, or some thing to keep it from the Ground. The [ 20] Bait must be a Fish, viz. a Dace, Gudgeon, or Roach. The forked Stick must have a slit in the one side of the Fork to put in the Line, that the live Fish may be set to svvim at a Gage; and that when the Pike takes the Bait, he may have the full liberty of the Line for his Feed.

This Device may be turned loose either in a Pond, or River, and be carryed about with the Wind or Stream.

The Hook must be large, and the Shanks some∣thing [ 30] shorter than ordinary; and it must be Ar∣med either with small Wyer softned, or with Twisted Silk, which is esteemed the best.

The SALMON is said to be the King of Fresh Water Fish, and is always bred in Rivers near the Sea, yet where they are not Salt. He casts his Spawn in August, making a Hole in some safe gravelly place in the River, and therein hide their Spawn, covering it over with Stones, and Gravel, and so leaves it; and both the Melter [ 40] and the Spawner betake themselves to the Sea before Winter, and if they meet with any Ob∣structions by Floodgates, or Wears, or become lost in the fresh Waters then those so left do by degrees become Sick, Lean, Unseasonable, Pineing a∣way and dye in about two Years; notwithstand∣ing which they delight most in fresh Waters, nor will they be so fat, and good in salt Water as in the fresh; and 'tis observed that those little Salmons called Skeggers, are bred by such sick Sal∣mons. [ 50]

The Salmon usually stays not long in a place, but covets to get nearer the Spring Head, and ge∣nerally keeps in the middle of the River, and near the Ground, so that it is the more difficult to Fish for them with the Hook and Line from the Banks side; you should therefore be provided with a small Boat at Anchor, and from thence you may cast out your Hooks. Your Tackling must be strong, and well fitted, for you are to [ 60] encounter with a Fish of Strength and Greatness. He biteth best at about three a Clock in the Af∣ternoons in the Months of May, June, July and August, especially if the Water be clear, and that there be a small breez of Wind blowing against the Stream.

The Baits proper for the Salmon, are the same as for the Trout, but above all others he will Bite best at the Garden-worm called a Lob-worm, pro∣vided it be well scoured, and kept clean in Moss, as formerly directed; and if you anoint the Box wherein you put the Worms only three or four at a time, about an hour before you use them, with two or three Drops of the Juice of Ivy-ber∣ries, or Oyl of Polypody of the Oak mixt with Turpentine, it is an excellent Attractive.

There is a way to Fish for the Salmon, with a Ring of Wyer at the end of your Rod, through which the Line may run to what length you please, by which means he will not come to feel the Strength of the Line or Rod, for it is to be feared if he should, he would with a Jerk of his Tail break either the Line, or Hook, and so escape.

The Artificial-fly is a good Bait, but you must use a Trowl as for the Pike, and your Fly must be large, with the Wings, and Tail very long. Be sure to give him time to gorge the Bait, and be not over hasty in drawing him up, but let him plung and tire himself.

The MILLERS THVMB, or BVLLSHEAD is a broad Headed, and wide Mouthed Fish, having two Fins under his Belly, and as many near his Eyes, which are broad; he hath also Fins on his Back. This Fish begins to Spawn in April, and are full of Spawn all the Summer Season. He delights in Holes, or amongst Stones in clear Water in the Summer, but in the Winter frequents the muddy places like the Eel. In Hot Weather he useth to lye suning himself in shallow gravelly places, and is easily taken not refusing your Bait, the best being the Red-worm. It is an excellent Fish for Tast, but of so ill a shape much resembling the Toad, that it is not much regard∣ed.

In the last place I shall speak of the CARPE, in the taking of which there lies the main skil of an Angler.

CARPS are said to be of no long continuance in England; It is an excellent Fish, a great En∣creaser, Breeding several Months in the Year, which Pikes and most other Fish do not; and it seems to be true, because that you shall scarce take a Male-Carp without a Melt, and a Female without a Row or Spawn, especially all the Sum∣mer Season; and by Observation they agree more naturally in Ponds than Rivers, or Runing Streams if they Breed there at all. In some Ponds they will also not Breed; and such are those that have too cold Springs, but in Ponds agreeable to them, provided their Spawn is not devoured by Pikes or Pearch, they greatly encrease. I shall elsewhere give you some Rules for the knowing a Brneding Pond from a Growing one, with some Directions for the well ordering the same.

The Carp is a leather Mouthed Fish, so that if your Hook be once struck into his Chaps, doth seldom break his hold. He is the most Subtile Fish that is, and not easily taken by the Angle, especially in Rivers, or in some Ponds, where they have store of Feed and the Water is of a clayish colour. The Carp will seldom Bite in cold Weather, and in the Hot Season you

can scarce be too early or too late at your Sport, for he is a very difficult Fish to be taken: In the Heat of the Summer, they shew themselves on the top of the Water, at which time if you Fish with the L••b-worm, as you do with the Na∣tural-fly, you will have very good Sport, es∣pecially if it be amongst Reeds.

If your Carps Breed too fast in your Stews, then put in some Gudgeons, which will cause them to grow Fat and Thrive, and so lessen their Breed∣ing. [ 10]

The Baits most proper for the Carp are Worms or sweet Paists, of which there are great variety, for he is a Fish that seldom troubles the top of the Water for Flios. Of Worms the Blew Marsh-worm, the knotted Red Worm, and the Gentle are the best; if you Fish with Gentles, anoint them with Honey before you put them on your Hook. As for Paists, those that are made of sweet smel∣ling, and sweet tasting things are the best. Honey [ 20] and Crums of White Bread is very good, being wrought up very stiff. Also Bean-flower, or o∣ther Flower, Virgins Wax, some raw Flesh of a Rabet, or such like, being beaten well together in a Mortar to a Paist, is a very good Bait for them.

When you Angle for a Carp, your Rod and Line must be strong, and by reason he is so shie, it is very good to Bait the Ground where you intend to Fish two or three Days before, with [ 30] some Paist made up into Pellets, or Blood mixt with Bran, and Cow-Dung; also take about a peck of Ale-grains mixt with Blood, and cast into the place over Night, and it will gather the Fish together.

But all this while you are Detained from the chief Secrets, which in Truth should not be made common. You must be first assured that the place where you Fish for Carps is provided there∣with, which to know make use of these follow∣ing [ 40] Directions, not that they tend barely to make the Discovery and no more; for you must find other necessary uses made of them, for In∣stance, you Bait your Fish thereby, and make them bold; you also obtain a safe and sure place for your Hook to rest on; which is a good Con∣veniency; and you are also assured that there are Carps in the place, the Figure shews the Form.

[illustration]

[ 50]

Frame same Bords together of such Length and Breadth as you think fit, but for want of other [ 60] Conveniencies, an old Door may serve the pur∣pose, but the larger your Platform is, so much the better. The end Q is that which must lye next the Water side, at the Letter S make a Hole to receive a good strong Cord, fastned with a knot on the inner side, then flore over your Door with strong Earth or Clay about two Inches Thick; and so stiff, that it may not easily dis∣solve, nor work off with the Water, then stick the said Earth full of Beans (prepared as here∣after) at every four Inches Distance; the Let∣ters V, X, Y, denote them; they must be very gently put in, so as a Carp may easily Bite them out, yet so fast as not to be washed out by the Water. When all is fixed, let the end Q be put into the Water sloping downwards, then when the Hole is close; on the bottom fasten the Cord T, at the Root of some Tree; the next Morning visit your Baits, put out your Door leasurely; if the Carps have eaten the Beans, 'tis a good sign of catching some, but if not, try it a second Day and Night; if you then al∣so find the Beans unmoved, conclude there are no Carps. If you find the second time your Baits eaten, Replenish them, and think not your time lost. In case the bottom of the Water where you set your Door be clean and smooth, then remove your Door, casting in two or three Handfulls of the aforesaid Beans; but in case the Ground be Muddy, Weedy, Rooty, or the like, let the Door be Rebaited, and returned to the place where it was, for there you may boldly let fall your Hook. The way of ordering your Beans is thus. Take half a Bushel of Beans, and let them lye seven or eight Hours in warm Water, then Boil them in a large clean Earthen Pot in four Ounces of Honey, and as many Grains of Musk; then boil them about a quarter of an Hour, and so preserve them for your use, to Bait your Door, &c.

When you perceive that Carps are in the place, and that they bite your Bait, then the Night be∣fore you Fish do thus; Put in some of your afore∣said Beans into some River Water to Boil, and vvhen they begin to bubble, put the quantity of tvvo small Beans of Aloes-cicatrina into your Pot to about a Handful of your Beans, and let it Boil a little; when the Beans are cold Bait your Door vvith them, the effect will be this, The Carps will eat them as before, and withal fall a purging and scouring whatever is vvithin them; and Consequently will be exceeding Hungry, so as to Bite at any thing; then Early in the Morn∣ing Bait your Hook (which should be strong and large) vvith your biggest Beans, and let the point of your Hook but just pierce the skin of your Bean (but note that the Beans wherewith you Bait your Hook, must not be of the bitter ones) your Hook must have a Foot of Line to Trail on the Water; and your Line should be made of Green Silk, vvith a Device to let go store of it as you see occasion. When you perceive your Float to Sink, then strike him, but upright not slanting; and when once he is hit, let him have Line enough to tire himself. In like man∣ner you should be very careful in Landing him, for many a goodly Fish hath been lost by over∣hastiness, to prevent which you may use a Co∣modious Net, which may serve for other Con∣veniencies, I shall here insert the Figure of it.

[illustration]

This Net is to be extended on a Forked [ 10] Stick; the two Branches N, O, should be each two foot long, and from the End N, to the other End O, should be likewise two foot distance. The Net P, being tyed on, should be about two foot deep; when the Carp is within five or six foot of the Land, set your Foot on the Line, and gently put the Net under the Carp, and so secure him: One Man may manage three or four Lines at this Sport, provided they be near him, and well secured on your Rods, and your Rods well [ 20] fixed on the Land with some Weighty things on the great Ends; and if you stuck a small Forked Stick into the Ground about a foot high, to sup∣port the Middle of your Rod, it were very secure, both for preventing the drawing of your Rods, and the Carps would then strike them∣selves.

I shall next give you two Receipts for Paists, which are most excellent and approved: Take a Heron, Plume him, then chop and mince him [ 30] very small, and put it into a large strong Glass-Bottle, which stop very close, and bury in an hot Dung-hill for two or three Weeks, so that it may be brought to an Oyl by a through Corruption; keep your Bottle always well Corked: When you go a Carp-fishing, make up a Paist with Crums of White-Bread, some ground Hemp-seed, with this aforesaid Oyl; and with this Paist bait your Hook so Artificially as no part be discernable; the quantity of a large Bean is enough. Also [ 40] with this Oyl anoint all that part of your Line next the Hook, and let your Paist rest a Foot on the Ground, as before directed.

The other Paist is more chargeable; but the excellency and goodness doth countervail the Cost, were it far greater: Take a Pound of the Dregs of Hemp-seed (by the Dregs is to be un∣derstood the bruised Body of the Seed, after the Oil is squeezed out) two Ounces of Mummy, or the Fat of a Man, which may be had at the [ 50] Apothecaries; the like quantity of Pork-Lard, also two Ounces of the Oyl of Herons, the like quantity of Honey, one Pound of grated Crums of White-Bread, and four Grains of Musk; Make all these up into a Paist, and if you find it too stiff, mollifie it with Honey, and if too soft, thicken or stiffen it with the Dregs of Hemp∣seed. You may toll it into Pellets of the bigness of large Beans.

Carps Spawn in May, or June, after which [ 60] they (as all other Fish) use to be very hungry, and will then for some time Bite at any thing.