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 Barbel. His Haunts, Baits, and the Manner of Taking him.

THey are a Fish, that love to keep one another Company dearly, and flock together much: They are at worst in April, at which time they Spawne; But are not long before they come in Season again.

He loves (all the Summer) the Shal∣low, and Sharp Streams, and lies lur∣king under Weeds, and feeds most on Gravel, against a rising Ground; For, he Roots with his Nose like a Hog, and Nests himself in the Gravel.

He loves also such places as London-Bridge, or any deep Place, where the Fierceness of the Water, stirs the Gra∣vel; where he will take hold of Mosse, or Weeds, that the Water, though ne∣ver so fierce, is not able to stir him.

He is mighty Curious in his Baits,

and if they be not Sweet and Clean, he will not touch them; therefore you must have your Wormes well scoured with Mosse, and he will bite at a well-scoured Lob-worme, as boldly, as at any Bait whatsoever: But your best way will be, to Bait the Place where you intend to Fish for them, with some Lob-Wormes, cutt to pieces, a night or two before you go to Fish.

You cannot Bait too much; nor well Fish too early, or late, for him.

Gentiles are also a good Bait for him; but then they must not be scoured. Ma∣ny use Cheese, which is also a good Bait.

He is a very fine Fish, to look on; but not so good as he seems to be.

[illustration] depiction of a barbel

So much of the Barbel.