160 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



your link-hook also to the lead, and let there be about a foot or 

 ten inches between the lead and the hook ; but be sure the lead 

 be heavy enough to sink the float or quill a little under the water, 

 and not the quill to bear up the lead, for the lead must lie on the 

 ground. Note, that your link next the hook may be smaller 

 than the rest of your line, if you dare adventure, for fear of 

 taking the pike or pearch, who will assuredly visit your hooks 

 till they be taken out, as I will show you afterwards, before 

 either carp or bream will come near to bite. Note also, that 

 when the worm is well-baited, it will crawl up and down, as far 

 as the lead will give leave, which much enticeth the ftsh to bite 

 without suspicion. 



3. Having thus prepared your baits, and fitted your tackling, 

 repair to the river, where you have seen them to swim in skulls 

 or shoals in the summer time in a hot afternoon, about three or 

 four of the clock ; and watch their going forth of their deep 

 holes and returning, which you may well discern, for they return 

 about four of the clock, most of them seeking food at the bottom, 

 yet one or two will lie on the top of the water, rolling and tum- 

 bling themselves while the rest are under him at the bottom, and 

 so you shall perceive him to keep sentinel : then mark where he 

 plays most, and stays longest, which commonly is in the broadest 

 and deepest place of the river ; and there, or near thereabouts, 

 at a clear bottom and a convenient landing place, take one of 

 your angles ready fitted as aforesaid, and sound the bottom, 

 which should be about eight or ten feet deep ; two yards from 

 the bank is the best. Then consider with yourself whether that 

 water will rise or fall by the next morning, by reason of any 

 water-mills near, and according to your discretion take the depth 

 of the place, where you mean after to cast your ground-bait, and 

 to fish, to half an inch ; that the lead lying on or near the 

 ground-bait, the top of the float may only appear upright half an 

 inch above the water. 



Thus you having found and fitted for the place and depth 

 thereof, then go home and prepare your ground-bait, which is, 

 next to the fruit of your labors, to be regarded. 



