330 THE COMPLETE ANGLER 



other, may be put upon the hook, two or three together, 

 and is sometimes, to very great effect, joined to a worm, 

 and sometimes to an artificial fly to cover the joint of 

 your hook ; but is always to be angled with at the bottom, 

 when by itself especially, with the finest tackle ; and is for 

 all times of the year, the most holding bait of all other 

 whatever, both for trout and grayling. 



There are several other baits besides these few I have 

 named you, which also do very great execution at the 

 bottom, and some that are peculiar to certain countries 

 and rivers, of which every angler may in his own place 

 make his own observation ; and some others that I do not 

 think fit to put you in mind of, because I would not 

 corrupt you, and would have you, as in all things else I 

 observe you to be a very honest gentleman, a fair angler. 

 And so much for the second sort of angling for a trout 

 at the bottom. 



VIAT. But, Sir, I beseech you give me leave to ask you 

 one question : is there no art to be used to worms, to make 

 them allure the fish, and in a manner compel them to bite 

 at the bait ? 



Pise. Not that I know of ; or did I know any such 

 secret, I would not use it myself, and therefore would not 

 teach it you. Though I will not deny to you, that in my 

 younger days, I have made trial of oil of osprey, oil of ivy, 

 camphire, assafoetida, juice of nettles, and several other 

 devices that I was taught by several anglers I met with ; 

 but could never find any advantage by them ; and can 

 scarce believe there is anything to be done that way : 

 though I must tell you, I have seen some men who I 

 thought went to work no more artificially than I, and have 

 yet, with the same kind of worms I had, in my own sight 

 taken five, and sometimes ten to one. But we'll let that 

 business alone, if you please ; and because we have time 

 enough, and that I would deliver you from the trouble 

 of any more lectures, I will, if you please, proceed to 



