chap, v.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 97 



Stickle-bag, or any other small fish that will turn 

 quick, will serve as well. And you are yet to know, 

 that you may salt them, and by that means keep 

 them ready and fit for use three or four days, or 

 longer ; and that of salt, bay-salt is the best. 



And here let me tell you, what many old Anglers 

 know right well, that at some times, and in some 

 waters, a Minnow is not to be got, and therefore 

 let me tell you, I have, — which I will shew to you, — 

 an Artificial Minnow, that will catch a Trout as well 

 as an artificial fly ; and it was made by a handsome 

 woman that had a fine hand, and a live Minnow 

 lying by her : the mould or body of the Minnow 

 was cloth, and wrought upon or over it thus with 

 a needle ; the back of it with very sad French green 

 silk, and paler green silk towards the belly, shadow- 

 ed as perfectly as you can imagine, just as you see 

 a Minnow ; the belly was wrought also with a 

 needle, and it was a part of it white silk, and 

 another part of it with silver thread : the tail and 

 fins were of a quill, which was shaven thin ; the 

 eyes were of two little black beads, and the head 

 was so shadowed, and all of it so curiously wrought, 

 and so exactly dissembled, that it would beguile 

 any sharp-sighted Trout in a swift stream. And 

 this Minnow I will now shew you ; look, here it is : 

 and if you like it, lend it you, to have two or three 

 made bv it, for they be easily carried about an 

 Angler, and be of excellent use ; for note, that a 

 large Trout will come as fiercely at a Minnow, as 

 n 



