206 



THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



[part i. 



There is no better sport than whipping for Bleaks 

 in a boat, or on a bank in the swift water in a 

 summer's evening, with a hazle top about five or 

 six foot long, and a line twice the length of the 

 rod. I have heard Sir Henry Wotton say, that there be 

 many that in Italy will catch swallows so, or especially 

 martins, this Bird-Angler standing on the top of a 

 steeple to do it, and with a line twice so long as I 

 have spoken of : and let me tell you, Scholar, that 

 both Martins and Bleaks be most excellent meat. 



And let me tell you, that I have known a Hern 

 that did constantly frequent one place, caught with 

 a hook baited with a big minnow or a small gud- 

 geon. The line and hook must be strong, and tied 

 to some loose staff, so big as she cannot fly away 

 with it ; a line not exceeding two yards. 



