174 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



in the morning, about three or four of the clock, 

 visit the water- side, but not too near, for they have 

 a cunning watchman, and are watchful themselves 

 too. 



Then gently take one of your three rods, and 

 bait your hook, casting it over your ground-bait ; 

 and gently and secretly draw it to you, till the lead 

 rests about the middle of the ground-bait. 



Then take a second rod and cast in about a yard 

 above, and your third a yard below the first rod, 

 and stay the rods in the ground ; but go yourself 

 so far from the water-side, that you perceive no- 

 thing but the top of the floats, which you must 

 watch most diligently. Then, when you have a bite, 

 you shall perceive the top of your float to sink sud- 

 denly into the water ; yet nevertheless be not too 

 hasty to run to your rods, until you see that the line 

 goes clear away : then creep to the water- side, and 

 give as much line as possibly you can : if it be a 

 good Carp or Bream, they will go to the farther 

 side of the river, then strike gently, and hold your 

 rod at a bent a little while ; but if you both pull 

 together, you are sure to lose your game, for either 

 your line, or hook, or hold, will break : and after 

 you have overcome them, they will make noble 

 sport, and are very shy to be landed. The Carp is 

 far stronger and more mettlesome than the Bream. 



Much more is to be observed in this kind of 

 fish and fishing, but it is far fitter for experience 

 and discourse than paper. Only thus much is ne- 



