144 Th e Complete Angler 



time, in a hot afternoon, about three or four of the 

 clock ; and watch their going forth of their deep 

 holes, and returning, which you may well discern, 

 for they return about four of the clock, most of 

 them seeking food at the bottom, yet one or two 

 will He on the top of the water, rolling and tumbling 

 themselves, whilst the rest are under him at the 

 bottom ; and so you shall perceive him to keep 

 sentinel : then mark where he plays most and stays 

 longest, which commonly is in the broadest and 

 deepest place of the river ; and there, or near there- 

 abouts, at a clear bottom and a convenient land- 

 ing-place, take one of your angles ready fitted as 

 aforesaid, and sound the bottom, which should be 

 about eight or ten feet deep ; two yards from the 

 bank is best. Then consider with yourself, whether 

 that water will rise or fall by the next morning, by 

 reason of any water-mills near ; and, according to 

 your discretion, take the depth of the place, where 

 you mean after to cast your ground-bait, and to fish, 

 to half an inch ; that the lead lying on or near^the 

 ground-bait, the top of the float may only appear 

 upright Ijalf an inch above the water. 



Thus you having found and fitted for the place 

 and depth thereof, then go home and prepare your 

 ground-bait, which is, next to the fruit of your 

 labours, to be regarded. 



THE GROUND-BAIT. 



You shall take a peck, or a peck and a half, 

 according to the greatness of the stream and deep- 

 ness of the water, where you mean to angle, of 

 sweet gross-ground barley-malt ; and boil it in a 

 kettle, one or two warms is enough : then strain it 

 through a bag into a tub, the liquor whereof hath 

 often done my horse much good; and when the 



