125 



I shall conclude this part of our subject with remark- 

 ing, that ground-laits, of all descriptions, are intended 

 only as lures to fishes, causing them to resort to, or to 

 remain at, any particular part of the waters ; and as it is 

 necessarily an important object that they should take 

 your baits when offered, so the ground-baits should be 

 of the most refuse materials, and given only at such in- 

 tervals as will not interfere with their appetites at the 

 time of your angling. 



These are, indeed, the fundamental principles of the 

 practice, and, if followed correctly, cannot fail of suc- 

 cess. 1 have read, though I have never seen it, that 

 some use the best materials as ground-^aits ; in which 

 they certainly err very grossly : I think it requires only 

 to be shewn as plainly as, I flatter myself, has been done 

 in this instance, to lead such persons out of a method 

 which every experienced angler must join in repro- 

 bating. 



Of striking ; and of playing a Fish when struck. 



By striking, we mean the act of drawing tight the 

 line when a fish is at the bait, in such manner as may 

 cause the hook to penetrate into some part of its mouth, 

 and prevent its escape. To judge accurately as to the 

 moment when you should strike, is not the labour of a 

 day, but requires much experience, and a knowledge of 

 the several fishes you expect to catch. Nor is the ope- 

 ration so very simple as a looker-on would suppose : there 

 is, indeed, a certain knack in striking, which some 

 never can acquire, and which others appear to possess 

 naturally. 



J shall endeavour to lay down a few general rules, 

 3 whereby 



