The Preface. 



siruciion of Bushes and Rotten Trees at the 

 bottom : Tho in such places I commonly find 

 the best sport, neither have they the knowledge, 

 or else are negligent to lengthen, or shorten 

 their float according to the depth of water, 

 beside they^d make one Hook to serve for all 

 Fish, which is meerly ridiculous, with six or 

 seven hairs to a strand, nay, I have known 

 more ; such bungling tackle is good for no- 

 thing but to frighten the Fish, while I ever use 

 but two or three hairs at most, and if clear way, 

 will hold a C hub of a Foot long. If I am hung 

 on obnoxious Bushes or Stubs under water, 1 

 have ways to free mi/ Hook, or if lost, I need 

 not grieve, for I have always more ready, Ex- 

 perience is the best director and by daily ob- 

 servations. 



A Man may if stocked with patience suc- 

 ceed to his wishes, but he must have an extra- 

 ordinary care to observe the seasons, without 

 which all is but labour in vain, due considera- 

 tion is to be had to his baits as well as Tack- 

 ling, which are to be sweet and clean scowr^d, 

 especially Worms and Gentile, the best Gen- 

 tils that I know breed from a Dead Cat, if 

 the Angler be nice of his jingers, a pair of 

 broad pliers may keep his hands clean, and a 

 few days lying in bran will make them Jit for 

 his sport. I use to scowr my Worms zoith- 

 out Fenil or Grass, as most do about me, tho 

 they use them commonly just taken out of the 

 ground, when I jirst take my worms, I put 



them 



