58 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PiscATOR. Why then, Sir, to begin methodically, as a master 

 in any art should do ; and I will not deny but that I think my- 

 self a master in this : I shall divide angling for trout or grayling 

 into these three ways ; at the top, at the bottom, and in the mid- 

 dle : which three ways, though they are all of them, as I shall 

 hereafter endeavor to make it appear, in some sort common to 

 both those kinds of fish ; yet are they not so generally and abso- 

 lutely so, but that they will necessarily require a distinction, 

 which in due place I will also give you. 



That which we call angling at the top, is with a fly ; at the 

 bottom, with a ground-bait ^ in the middle with a minnow or 

 ground-bait. 



Angling at the top is of two sorts ; with a quick fly, or with an 

 artificial fly. 



That we call angling at the bottom is also of two sorts ; by the 

 hand, or with a cork or float. 



That we call angling in the middle is also of two sorts ; with 

 a minnow for a trout, or with a ground-bait for a grayling. 



Of all which several sorts of angling, I will, if you can have 

 the patience to hear me, give you the best account I can. 



ViAT. The trouble will be yours, and mine the pleasure and 

 the obligation ; I beseech you therefore to proceed. 



Pisc. Why then, first of fly-fishing. 



