ANGLING IMPROVED. 51 



5. When rivers after rain do rise, yet so as that 

 they keep within their banks, in swift rivers the violence 

 of the stream forces the fish to seek shelter and quiet 

 ease,- in the little and milder currents of small brooks, 

 where they fall into larger rivers, and behind the ends of 

 bridges that are longer than the breadth of the river, 

 making a low vacancy, where the bridge defends a small 

 spot of ground from the violence of the stream, or in 

 any low place near the river's side, where the fish may 

 lie at rest, and secure from the disturbance of the rapid 

 stream ; in such a place, not being very deep, and at 

 such a time, you will find sport : as regards myself, I 

 have ever found it equal to the best season. 



6. For Carp and Tench early in the morning, from 

 sun rising, until eight of the clock, and from four after 

 noon, till night ; and from sun set, till far in the night 

 in the hot months. 



7. In March, in the beginning of April, and at the 

 latter end of September, and all Winter, fish bite best 

 in the warmth of the day, when no winds are stirring, 

 and the air quite clear. In Summer months, morning 

 and evening are best, or cool cloudy weather: if you 

 can find shelter, no matter how high the wind be. 



8. Fish rise best at the fly, after a shower that has 

 not mudded the water, yet has beaten the gnats and flies 

 into the rivers ; you may in such a shower observe them 

 rise much, if you will endure the rain ; also the best 

 months for the fly, are March, April, May, and part of 

 June ; in the cooler months, in the wannest time of the 

 day ; or in warm weather, about nine in the morning, 



