MORE DIRECTIONS 



the second time : I say pull that part of your line back so that 

 it shall fasten the head, so that the body of the Minnow shall 

 be almost straight on your hook ; this done, try how it will turn 

 by drawing it cross the water or against a stream, and if it do 

 not turn nimbly, then turn the tail a little to the right or left 

 hand, and try again, till it turn quick ; for if not, you are in 

 danger to catch nothing ; for know, that it is impossible that it 

 should turn too quick : and you are yet to know, that in case 

 you want a Minnow, then a small Loach or a Stickle-bag, or 

 any other small fish that will turn quick, will serve as well : 

 and you are yet to know, that you may salt them, and by that 

 means keep them ready and fit for use three or four days, or 

 longer ; and that of salt, bay-salt is the best. 



And here let me tell you, what many old Anglers know 

 right well, that at some times, and in some waters, a Minnow 

 is not to be got, and therefore let me tell you, I have, which 

 I will shew to you, an artificial Minnow, that will catch a Trout 

 as well as an artificial Fly, and it was made by a handsome 

 woman that had a fine hand, and a live Minnow lying by her : 

 the mould or body of the Minnow was cloth, and wrought upon 

 or over it thus with a needle : the back of it with very sad 

 French green silk, and paler green silk towards the belly, 

 shadowed as perfectly as you can imagine, just as you see a 

 Minnow ; the belly was wrought also with a needle, and it was 

 a part of it white silk, and another part of it with silver thread ; 

 the tail and fins were of a quill, which was shaven thin ; the 

 eyes were of two little black beads, and the head was so 

 shadowed, and all of it so curiously wrought, and so exactly 

 dissembled, that it would beguile any sharp-sighted Trout in 

 a swift stream. And this Minnow I will now shew you ; look, 

 here it is : and if you like it, lend it you, to have two or three 

 made by it, for they be easily carried about an Angler, and be 

 of excellent use ; for note, that a large Trout will come as 

 fiercely at a Minnow, as the highest mettled hawk doth seize 

 on a partridge, or a greyhound on a hare. I have been told, 

 that 160 Minnows have been found in a Trout's belly ; either 

 the Trout had devoured so many, or the Miller that gave it 

 a friend of mine, had forced them down his throat after he had 

 taken him. 

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