I30 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



Gay was a North Devon man, and doubtless worked its 

 many trout and salmon waters. 



Thomson, who also lived in the early part of the 

 eighteenth century, was hardly less a poet of the angle 

 than Gay, and his experience as a fly-fisher, at least in his 

 early years, was gained north of the Tweed. A feature in 

 his Seasons (1728) are his descriptions of fishing. Thus in 

 " Spring " we have the invitation to angle — 



" Now when the first foul torrent of the brooks, 

 Swelled with the vernal rains, is ebb'd away ; 

 And, whitening, down their niossy-tinctur'd stream 

 Descends the billowy foam — now is the time, 

 While yet the dark-brown water aids the guile 

 To tempt the trout. The well dissembled fly ; 

 The rod, fine tapering, with elastic spring. 

 Snatch'd from the hoary stud the floating line, 

 And all thy slender wat'ry stores prepare." 



He shrinks, however, from the worm more than Gay 

 does — 



" But let not on thy hook the tortur'd worm 

 Convulsive twist in agonising folds, 

 Which, by rapacious hunger, swallow'd deep, 

 Gives, as you tear it, from the bleeding breast 

 Of the weak, helpless, uncomplaining wretch, 

 Harsh pain and horror to the tender hand ! " 



This is where and how the poet would have you throw 

 your fly — 



" Just in the dubious point, where with the pool 

 Is mix'd the trembling stream, or where it boils 

 Around the stone, or from the hollow'd bank 

 Reverted plays in undulating flow — 

 There throw, nice judging, the delusive fly ; 

 And, as you lead it round in artful curve, 

 With eye attentive mark the springing game, 



