39 



bank with the wind behind me so much the better, but if I can- 

 not I must take a boat and take care to have the wind behind 

 me, going no nearer than I am obliged, allowing ten or twelve 

 yards to throw, which I can easily do with the fine line. Having 

 secured my boat in the best way I can, I put on my float to the 

 proper depth, which I ascertained the day before : I then cut 

 three or four dew worms and small worms into bits no larger 

 than horse beans and throw them into the place I have baited, 

 keeping all the time as quiet and still as possible. I then 

 proceed to bait my hook. I take two cockspurs out of my bag 

 and put the hook in at the head of the first and out about a 

 quarter of an inch from the tail and draw it up the gut ; I put 

 the hook in the other about a quarter of an inch below the head 

 and run it on to a quarter of an inch of the tail, and I then 

 draw the other worm down to it. This you will perceive is an 

 attractive bait, and when I cast into the place I have baited a 

 bite is almost certain as soon as the bait gets to the bottom. I 

 do not strike the moment I perceive a tug, but suffer the fish to 

 take the float under, then I strike gently ; if I find he is a good 

 fish I allow him to go where he likes : it would be useless 

 trying to stop him ; if I did something would be sure to break ; 

 his own exertion will in a short time knock him up ; when it does 

 pop the landing net under him and all is right. Every fish or 

 two I kill I give them two or three worms cut very small, which 

 keeps them together. 



Now, I am convinced if all gentlemen who go to fish for Carp 

 will but pay attention to the remarks I have made, they will 

 seldom return home disappointed. 



