The anglers delight containing the whole art of neat and clean angling; wherein is taught the readiest way to take all sorts of fish, from the pike to the minnow, together with their proper baits, haunts, and time of fishing for them, whether in mere, pond, or river. As also, the method of fishing in Hackney River, & the names of all the best stands there; with the manner of making all sorts of good tackle fit for any water whatsoever. The like never before in print. By William Gilbert, gent.

Of the Trout. The Nature of His Breed∣ing, and the Place of His Haunts; and How to take Him either with Worm, Minnow, or Fly.

HE is an Excellent Fish, and high∣ly admired by all People, in all Nations. He hath some-thing of the Nature of Venison, being so like to a Buck, that he comes-in, and goes out of Season, even as the Stag and Buck do.

He may claym Place of all Fresh-Water Fish, for Precedency, and Dain∣tiness of Tast; for, the most Curious Palats, when he hath been in Season, have admired him.

He is at his Perfection in May, and doth Decline, as before, with the Buck.

He Spawn's generally about October, or November.

His Haunts are in gravelly clear Ri∣vers, in the most Shady Places. He delights much near Wires, and Flud∣gates, and any Falls of Waters.

His Baits are, usually, that he is Caught with, a Worm, or a Minnow, or else with a Flye, viz. either Natural, or Artificial Flye.

First of Worms; there are many, as Earth-VVorms; others that are bred of Plants, as the Dug'd-VVorme; others of Excrements, or in the Bodies of Creatures, as the Maggot, or Gentle, &c. But of all these, the Dew, or Lob-Worm, and the Brandling, are the best for a Trout.

And if you would catch so large a Trout as this,

[illustration] depiction of a trout

take the Lob-Worme. And your best way is to put them to some Mosse, till they are poor, by cleansing themselves; and then, by giving them the Yolk of an Egg, they will become lively, and fit for use: But if you are straitned for VVorms, squeeze some VVall-nut Tree-Leaves in water, which poured up∣on the ground, will make them rise out of hand.

Now to Bait your Hook neatly, that it may Trole or Runn upon the Ground, without Tangling, or Catching against any Sticks, Gravel, or Weeds, ob∣serve:

If you have a big Lob-Worme, put your Hook into it, some-what above the middle, and out again, a little be∣low the middle; having so done, draw

your Worme above the Arming of your Hook. But note, That at the entring of your Hook, it must not be at the Head-end of the Worme; because the Point of your Hook may come out to∣wards the Head-end: and having drawn him above the Arming of your Hook, then put the Point of your Hook again into the very Head of the Worme, till it come near the place where the Point of the Hook first came out, and then draw back that part of the Worme that was above the Shank, or Arming of the Hook, and so Fish with it.

But if you mean to Fish with two Worms, which you may do: If one be not big enough, then put the second Worme, before you turn back the Hook's head of the first Worme. So a little trying will make you Expert; and you may Fish without danger of Stopping or Catching upon any gravel, or the like.

For the Minnows.

They may be had easily in March or April; for then they appear in the

River, where you may take them at your Pleasure: Of which, for to take a Trout, the middle size are best, and must be so put upon your Hook, that it must turn round, when it is drawn against the Stream; and for the nim∣bler turning thereof, put it upon a big si∣zed Hook, which put in, at his Mouth, and out at his Gill; then your Hook being drawn two or three Inches be∣yond his Gill, put it again into his Mouth, and the Point and Beard out at his Tayle; and then tye the Hook, and his Tayle very neatly, with a white Thred or Silk, which will make it the apter to turn quick in the Wa∣ter: That being done, pull back that part of your Line, which was slack, when you put your hook into the Minnow, the second time: So that, it shall fasten the Head; and the Body of the Minnow shall be almost straight on your Hook. Then try how it will turn, by drawing it cross the Water, or against the Stream; and so turn the Tayle to your right or left hand, till it turns to please you; if not, you're not likely to catch any thing; if you cannot get a Minnow, a Loach or a Stickle-bag, will serve neer as

well: If you can get an Artificial Min∣now at the Shops, you had best take one with you, lest you fail else∣where.

As for Flyes.

I think either for Trout, or any other Fish, that will rise at Flyes, those that they rise-at most, that Season when you Fish for them, are the best to take them with; and there are so many, that I cannot (for fear of making my little Piece swell beyond its Price) stand to name them.

Now, as to the Artificial Flyes, take only this Rule with you; that is, To provide all Colours of Silk, and Fea∣thers, and such things as are conveni∣ent for the making of them: and ne∣ver go about to make one, Artificially, without a Natural one before you, what-ever it is you would imitate: But you had better go, or send, to the Three Fishes, over-against the little North-Door of St. Pauls, in London, where you may have them Better and Chea∣per, than you can make them: And so much of the Trout.