THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 163 



From St. James's-tide until Bartholomew-tide* is the best : 

 when they have had all the summer's food, they are the fattest. 



Observe, lastly, that after three or four days' fishing together, 

 your game will be very shy and wary ; and you shall hardly 

 get above a bite or two at a baiting : then your only way is to 

 desist from your sport about two or three days ; and in the mean- 

 time, on the place you late baited, and again intend to bait, you 

 shall take a turf of green but short grass, as big or bigger than 

 a round trencher ; to the top of this turf, on the green side, 

 you shall with a needle and green thread fasten one by one as 

 many little red- worms as will near cover all the turf: then take 

 a round board or trencher, make a hole in the middle thereof, 

 and through the turf, placed on the board or trencher, with a 

 string or cord as long as is fitting, tied to a pole, let it down to 

 the bottom of the water, for the fish to feed upon without disturb- 

 ance about two or three days ; and after that you have drawn 

 it away, you may fall to, and enjoy your former recreation. 



B. A. 



* St. James's tide, the 25th of July ; St. Bartholomew's tide, 24th of 

 August. — Ren nie. 



