The Compleat ^Angler 



on the water in one month of the year, may the following year come almost 

 a month sooner or later, as the same year proves colder or hotter; and 

 yet, in the following Discourse, I have set down the twelve flies that are 

 in reputation with many anglers, and they may serve to give him some 

 observations concerning them. And he may note, that there are in 

 Wales and other countries, peculiar flies, proper to the particular place 

 or country ; and doubtless unless a man makes a fly to counterfeit that 

 very fly in that place, he is like to lose his labour, or much of it ; but 

 for the generality, three or four flies, neat and rightly made, and not 

 too big, serve for a trout in most rivers all the summer. And for winter 

 fly-fishing // is as useful as an almanac out of date ! And of these 

 (because as no man is born an artist, so no man is born an angler] 

 I thought fit to give thee this notice. 



When I have told the reader that in this fifth impression there are 

 many enlargements, gathered both by my own observation and the com- 

 munication with friends, I shall stay him no longer than to wish him 

 a rainy evening to read this following Discourse ; and that (if he be 

 an honest angler] the east wind may never blow when he goes 

 a-fishing. 



I. W. 



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