The Compleat ^Angler 



river Wye, in Monmouthshire, where they be in season (as Camden 

 observes) from September till April. But, my scholar, the observ- 

 ation of this and many other things, I must in manners omit, because 

 they will prove too large for our narrow compass of time, and there- 

 fore I shall next fall upon my directions how to fish for this salmon. 



And for that, first you shall observe, that usually he stays not long 

 in a place (as trouts will), but (as I said) covets still to go nearer the 

 spring head ; and that he does not (as the trout and many other fish) 

 lie near the water-side, or bank, or roots of trees, but swims in the 

 deep and broad parts of the water, and usually in the middle, and 

 near the ground ; and that there you are to fish for him, and that he 

 is to be caught as the trout is, with a worm, a minnow (which some 

 call a penk), or with a fly. 



And you are to observe that he is very seldom observed to bite at 

 a minnow (yet sometimes he will) and not usually at a fly ; but more 

 usually at a worm, and then most usually at a lob or garden-worm, 

 which should be well scoured, that is to say, kept seven or eight days 

 in moss before you fish with them : and if you double your time of 

 eight into sixteen, twenty, or more days, it is still the better ; for the 

 worms will still be clearer, tougher, and more lively, and continue so 

 longer upon your hook ; and they may be kept longer by keeping 

 them cool and in fresh moss, and some advise to put camphor 

 into it. 



Note also, that many used to fish for a salmon with a ring of wire 

 on the top of their rod, through which the line may run to as great 

 a length as is needful when he is hooked. And to that end, some 

 use a wheel about the middle of their rod, or near their hapd ; which 

 is to be observed better by seeing one of them, than by a large 

 demonstration of words. 



And now I shall tell you that which may be called a secret : I 

 have been a-fishing with old Oliver Henley (now with God), a noted 

 fisher both for trout and salmon, and have observed that he would 

 usually take three or four worms out of his bag, and put them into 

 a little box in his pocket, where he would usually let them continue 

 half-an-hour or more before he would bait his hook with them. I 

 have asked him his reason, and he has replied : " He did but pick 



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