46 ANGLING IMPROVED. 



know of, are found in the mountainous parts of Derby- 

 shire, Staffordshire, as Dovetrent, Derwent, &c. 



8. Gudgeon desires sandy, gravely, gentle streams, 

 and smaller rivers ; but I have known them taken in 

 great abundance in Trent, in Derbyshire, where it is 

 very large; but conceive them to be in greater plenty 

 nearer the head of that river, about or above Heywood : 

 I can say the same of other rivers, and therefore con- 

 ceive they love smaller rivers rather than the large, or 

 the small brooks, for I never found them in so great 

 plenty in brooks, as small rivers ; he bites best in the 

 Spring, till he spawns, and little after till wasp time. 



9. Shad, Thwait, Peel, Mullett, Suant, and 

 Flounder, love chiefly to be in or near the saltish water, 

 which ebb and flow; I have known the Flounder taken 

 in good plenty, in fresh rivers ; they covet sand and 

 gravel, deep gentte streams near the bank, or at the end 

 of a stream in a deep still place : though these rules 

 may, and do hold good in the general, yet I have found 

 them admit of particular exceptions, but every man's 

 habitation engaged him to one, or usually at most, to 

 two rivers, his own experience will quickly inform him 

 of the nature of the same, and the fish in them. I 

 would persuade all that love angling, and desire to be 

 complete Anglers, to spend some time in all sorts of 

 waters, ponds, rivers, swift and slow, stony, gravely, 

 muddy and slimy; and to observe all the differences in 

 the nature of the fish, the waters and baits, and by this 

 means he will be able to take fish where ever he angles ; 

 otherwise, through want of experience, he will be like 



