138 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



of an exquisite Fisherman : such precise Crafts 

 Masters as these, can spend their time in admiring 

 their Instruments, and sufficiently delight themselves 

 with the commendation of their own Materials. This 

 is certain and undeniable, that the longer the Pole 

 is, if it be streight and light, you will find the more 

 benefit in playing the Bait and throwing it from you ; 

 for if there be Flags or Reeds between the Bank and 

 the main deep, you can very hardly play your Bait 

 with a short Pole. 



The eleventh chapter gives instructions " How to 

 Bait the Hook, and to play the Bait." The direc- 

 tions for baiting the hook are excellently stated. 

 The method of threading the bait on the hook I 

 have already quoted ; the instructions are continued 

 thus : 



The point of your Hook must be even with the 

 belly of the Bait ; for if it hang on either side, it 

 may hinder and check the Pike, who will probably 

 lay his mouth upon it ; for when he chops cross the 

 Fish, he may be pricked, and so leave you only the 

 hopes of another Bite ; when you have so put through 

 the Fish, then tie the Tail of the bait fast to the 

 joynt of the Wire with strong Thred, which will 

 both make it hang streight upon the Hook, and 

 preserve it from outward violences ; for if it be not 

 well fastened, the weeds will have so much power 

 over it, that they will soon tear it down to the Gills, 

 and so separate the Hook from the Bait ; some fasten 

 it with a Needle. 



Supposing then that you cast out a very fair 

 throw, it may be a dozen or sometimes twenty 

 yards, which may easily be done if the River 

 requires it; let it first have a little time to sink, 

 then feel it, and draw it gently towards you ; for 



