OBSERVATIONS OF THE BREAM 



But though some do not, yet the French esteem this fish 

 highly, and to that end have this proverb, * He that hath Breams 

 in his pond, is able to bid his friend welcome.' And it is noted, 

 that the best part of a Bream is his belly and head. 



Some say, that Breams and Roaches will mix their eggs 

 and melt together, and so there is in many places a bastard 

 breed of Breams, that never come to be either large or good, 

 but very numerous. 



The baits good to catch this Bream, are many. i. Paste 

 made of brown bread and honey, Gentles, or the brood of 

 wasps that be young, and then not unlike gentles, and should 

 be hardened in an oven, or dried on a tile before the fire to 

 make them tough ; or there is at the root of docks or flags, 

 or rushes in watery places, a worm not unlike a maggot, at 

 which Tench will bite freely. Or he will bite at a Grashopper 

 with his legs nipped off in June and July, or at several flies 

 under water, which may be found on flags that grow near to 

 the water-side. I doubt not but that there be many other 

 baits that are good, but I will turn them all into this most 

 excellent one, either for a Carp or Bream, in any river or mere : 

 it was given to me by a most honest and excellent Angler, and 

 hoping you will prove both, I will impart it to you. 



1. Let your bait be as big a Red-worm as you can find, 

 without a knot ; get a pint or quart of them in an evening in 

 garden walks, or chalky commons, after a shower of rain ; and 

 put them with clean moss well washed and picked, and the 

 water squeezed out of the moss as dry as you can, into an 

 earthen pot or pipkin set dry, and change the moss fresh every 

 three or four days for three weeks or a month together ; then 

 your bait will be at the best, for it will be clear and lively. 



2. Having thus prepared your baits, get your tackling ready 

 and fitted for this sport. Take three long angling-rods, and as 

 many and more silk, or silk and hair lines, and as many large 



swan or goose-quill floats. Then take a piece of lead 

 made after this manner, and fasten them to the low- 

 ends of your lines. Then fasten your link-hook also to 

 the lead, and let there be about a foot or ten inches 

 between the lead and the hook, but be sure the lead be heavy 

 enough to sink the float or quill a little under the water, and 

 no 



