90 THE TROUT 



back ; and the sun, if 'it shines, to be before you ; 

 and to fish down the stream, and carry the point or 

 top of your rod downward, by which means the 

 shadow of yourself, and rod too, will be the least 

 offensive to the fish, for the sight of any shadow 

 amazes the fish, and spoils your sport, of which you 

 must take a great care.' 



Again, in the well-known ' Treatyse of Fysshynge 

 wyth an angle ' written some time about 1450, and 

 attributed to Dame Juliana Berners or Barnes, the 

 reasons are given why trout are not always caught ; and 

 indeed the information contained is so comprehensive 

 as practically to cover all the misfortunes and worries 

 which beset an angler when in pursuit of his favourite 

 sport. 



The * reasons ' are thus set forth under the head- 

 ing of 



* The xij ImpedymenteS) 



VVhych cause men to take no fyche withoute other 

 commyn causes wyche may casuelly hap. The first 

 yf your harnes * be not good and well made. The 

 ij d is yf ye angle not yn by tying tyme. The iij d 

 yf the fyche be a frayde with ye syzt of any man. 

 The iiij th , yf the watur be wery thilke or redde as 

 bye of any floyd falle late. The v d yf the fyche styr 

 1 Harnes = harness = tackle. 



