WALTON TO THE READER. lix 



must Angling. And note also, that in this Discourse I do 

 not undertake to say all that is known, or may he said of 

 it, but I undertake to acquaint the Reader, with many 

 thing's that are not usually known to every Angler ; and 

 I shall leave gleanings and observations enough to be 

 made out of the experience of all that love and practise 

 this recreation, to which I shall encourage them. For 

 Angling may be said to be so like the Mathematics, that 

 it can never be fully learned ; at least not so fully, but 

 that there will still be more new experiments left for the 

 trial of other men that succeed us. 



But I think all that love this game may here learn some- 

 thing that may be worth their money, if they be not poor 

 and needy men ; and in case they he, I then wish them to 

 forbear to buy it : for I write not to get money, but for 

 pleasure, and this Discourse boasts of no more ; for I hate 

 to promise much and deceive the Reader. 



And however it proves to him, yet I am sure I have 

 found a high content in the search and conference of what 

 is here offered to the Reader's view and censure ; I wish 

 him as much in the perusal of it. And so I might here take 

 my leave ; but will stay a little and tell him, that whereas 

 it is said by many, that in Fly-fishing for a Trout, the 

 Angler must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve 

 months of the year : I say, he that follows that rule, shall 

 be as sure to catch fish, and he as wise, as he that makes 

 hay by the fair days in an almanack, and no surer; for 

 those very flies that use to appear about, and on the water, 

 in one month of the year, may the following year come 

 almost a month sooner or later; as the same year proves 

 colder or hotter : and yet in the following Discourse, 1 

 have set down the twelve flies that are in reputation with 

 many Anglers, and they may serve to give him some ob- 

 servations concerning them. And he may note, that there 



