MODERN FARRIER. 59 



FISHING. 



Q 



Fishing is distinguished with regard to its instru- 

 ment into that performed with the net, for fish that 

 go in shoals ; and that with the hook, for solitary- 

 fish ; which latter is properly called angiing. 



Fishing, again, is distinguished with regard to 

 its object into that performed in salt water, and that 

 in fresh. The first practised for whales, herring, 

 cod, salmon, pearls, mackarel, and other sea-fish. 

 The latter practised for pike, trout, carp, tench, 

 perch, dace, eels, &c. 



The instruments principally used in angling or 

 fishing with the hook, are the rod, line, hook, and 

 fly. 



The points on which the art of fishing chiefly 

 turns are the proper season, place, bait, and manner 

 of application. What relates to each thereof, we 

 shall here give the reader in the several kinds of 

 fishing chiefly practised among us. 



In March, April, and September, the warmest 

 days are the best for fishing, and the bait must be 

 deep ; for the fish in these cool months lie near the 

 bottom. In fly-fishing, it is always observed, that 

 the fish will rise best after a small shower of rain, 

 that has just beat down the flies upon the water 

 without muddingit. March, April, May, and June, 

 are the best months for fly-fishing, and the best 

 hours are about nine in the morning, and three or 

 four in the afternoon ; in a still warm evening they 

 will bite as long as the day-light lasts, at those 

 seasons when the gnats are seen most plentifully 

 about in the air. 



In the extremity of heat, when the earth is parch- 

 ed with drought, there is but little sport to be ex- 

 pected in fishing in any water. In cold weather, 

 when there is a white hoary frost in the morning, 

 the fish will not bite kindly all day, except in the 

 evening, if that should prove serene and warm. 



4 F 



