OBSERVATIONS OF THE CARP 



yet I shall remember you of what I told you before, that he 

 is a very subtle fish, and hard to be caught. 



And my first direction is, that if you will fish for a Carp, 

 you must put on a very large measure of patience; especially 

 to fish for a River-Carp : I have known a very good fisher 

 angle diligently four or six hours in a day, for three or four 

 days together, for a River-Carp, and not have a bite: and you 

 are to note, that in some ponds, it is as hard to catch a Carp 

 as in a river; that is to say, where they have store of feed, 

 and the water is of a clayish colour : but you are to remember, 

 that I have told you there is no rule without an exception, 

 and therefore being possessed with that hope and patience, 

 which I wish to all fishers, especially to the Carp- Angler, I shall 

 tell you with what bait to fish for him. But first you are to 

 know, that it must be either early or late ; and let me tell you, 

 that in hot weather, for he will seldom bite in cold, you 

 cannot be too early or too late at it. And some have been so 

 curious as to say, the Tenth of April is a fatal day for Carps. 



The Carp bites either at worms or at paste, and of worms 

 I think the bluish Marsh or Meadow- worm is best ; but possibly 

 another worm, not too big, may do as well, and so may a Green 

 Gentle : and. as for pastes, there are almost as many sorts as 

 there are medicines for the tooth-ache, but doubtless sweet 

 pastes are best ; I mean, pastes made with honey or with 

 sugar : which, that you may the better beguile this crafty fish, 

 should be thrown into the pond or place in which you fish for 

 him, some hours or longer before you undertake your trial of 

 skill with the angle-rod : and doubtless if it be thrown into the 

 water a day or two before, at several times and in small pellets, 

 you are the likelier when you fish for the Carp to obtain your 

 desired sport : or in a large pond, to draw them to any certain 

 place, that they may the better and with more hope be fished 

 for, you are to throw into it, in some certain place, either grains 

 or blood mixed with cow-dung, or with bran; or any garbage, 

 as chicken's guts or the like, and then some of your small 

 sweet pellets with which you purpose to angle : and these small 

 pellets being a few of them also thrown in as you are angling, 

 will be the better. 



And your paste must be thus made: Take the flesh of a 

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