In this part of the work I shall confine myself to what 

 appertains to the more common practices of lottom-Jish* 

 ing ; by which I mean, such matters as apply to simple 

 angling, for whatever chance may present ; reserving the 

 more knowing parts of my instructions, for the illustration 

 of those branches of the sport which require some expe- 

 rience and judgment, before they can be practised with 

 success. 



The learner will find the whole under their proper 

 titles, besides a variety of information interspersed, by way 

 of comment, in other parts of the work. 



Of Gut and Weed. 



These are imported to us from abroad, chiefly from 

 China,, and are invaluable to the angler. The gut is 

 jiiore transparent than the weed, is not so thick, nor is it, 

 in general, so round ; yet, on the whole, it is preferable, 

 except in a few particular instances. 



Gut may be had of any degree of fineness ; for the 

 same skein is formed of various sizes, as well as. of diffe- 

 rent degrees of quality ; some threads being long and 

 round, while others are shorter and flatter. The latter 

 are very exceptionable, where a choice can be made ; as 

 they are not only weaker, but streak the water, in moving 

 through it, and frighten the fishes. 



Choose such gut as is round and smooth, of a clear 

 semi- pellucid appearance, and that is free from yellowish 

 spots, very much like iron-moulds. The best proof of 

 the strength of gut is hardness : bite it, and if it resist the 

 teeth like wire, that is, does not easily give way, it is 

 good. 



This should always be done when a thread of gut is 

 B 2 taken 



