The Secrets of singling. 49 



Yet furthermore it doth behoue to know, 



That for the most part Fish doe secke their foode 



Vpon the ground, or deepest bottome low, 



Or at the top of water, streame, or Hood ; 



And so you must your hooke and bayte bestow, 



For in the midst you shall doe little good, 



For heauie things downe to the bottom fall, 

 And light doe swim, and seldome sinke at all. 



All Summer long aloft the Fishes swimme, 



Delighted with faire Phoebus shining ray, 



And lye in wayte within the waters dimme 



For flyes and gnats that on the top doe play ; 



Then halfe a yard beneath the vpper brimme 



It shall be best your bayted Hooke to lay, 

 With gnat or fly of any sort or kinde, 

 That euery Moneth on Leaues or Trees you finde. 



But then your Line must haue no Lead at all, 

 And but a slender Corke, or little Quill, 

 To stay the bayte that downe it doe not fall, 

 But hang a Linke within the water still, 

 Or else vpon the top thereof you shall 

 With quicker hand, and with more ready skill 



Let fall your flye, and now and then remoue, 

 Which soone the Fish will finde and better loue. 



And in the streame likewise they vse to be 



At tailes of floudyates, or at Arches wide ; 



Or shallow flats, whereas the waters free 



With fresher springs and swifter course doe slide : 



And then of Waspe, the brood that cannot rlye 



Vpon a Tyle-stone first a little dryed, 



Or yealow bobs turned vp before the Plough, 

 Are chiefest bayts, with Corke anil Lead enough. 



