chap, x.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 171 



other baits that are good, hut I will turn them all 

 into this most excellent one, either for a Carp or 

 Bream, in any river or mere : it was given to me 

 by a most honest and excellent Angler, and, hoping 

 you will prove both, I will impart it to you. 



1. Let your bait be as big a Red- worm as you 

 can find, without a knot : get a pint or quart of 

 them in an evening in garden-walks, or chalky-com- 

 mons, after a shower of rain ; and put them with 

 clean moss well washed and picked, and the water 

 squeezed out of the moss as dry as you can, into an 

 earthen pot or pipkin set dry, and change the moss 

 fresh every three or four days for three weeks or a 

 month together ; then your bait will be at the best, 

 for it will be clear and lively. 



2. Having thus prepared your baits, get your 

 tackling ready and fitted for this sport. Take three 

 long angling-rods ; and as many and more silk, or 

 silk and hair, lines, and as many large swan or 

 goose-quill floats. Then take a piece of lead made 

 after this manner, and fasten them to 

 the low-ends of your lines. Then fas- 

 ten your link-hook also to the lead, 

 and let there be about a foot or ten 

 inches between the lead and the hook ; but be sure 

 the lead be heavy enough to sink the float or quill 

 a little under the water, and not the quill to bear 

 up the lead, for the lead must lie on the ground. 

 Note, that your link next the hook may be smaller 

 than the rest of your line, if you dare adventure, 



