184 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



book. It is, however, a very well-compiled treatise, 

 and is not a mere verbatim copy of other books. 



Walton in the Compleat Angler expresses his dis- 

 approbation of the trouting methods employed in 

 that county which is now the home of the highest and 

 most scientific form of the Art of Angling. Jacob 

 introduces us to the poaching method of angling, 

 known as " Cross Lining," which he says is alone 

 practised in Hampshire : 



In Hampshire they have a Method of Trout-fishing, 

 no where else practised, but the Largeness of the 

 Rivers seems to make it necessary : Their Way of 

 Fishing there in the Month of May, when the Fly- 

 fishing is at its full height, is thus ; two persons, each 

 being furnished with a long Rod, go out together ; 

 when they come to the river they propose to fish, 

 they separate one on one Side of the Water, and 

 the other on the other side; then having a strong 

 Hair-line, in Length twice the Breadth of the River, 

 one of the Anglers is to fix one end of it to his Rod, 

 and by fixing a Lead-Plummet to the other End, 

 throw it over to his Companion, who likewise fastens 

 that End to his Rod taking off the Plummet ; to this 

 long Line are fixed two short ones with Hooks, the 

 Lines not exceeding two or three Yards in Length, 

 placed about three Parts in four of the Breadth of 

 the River distant from each other, and at equal 

 Distance from each Rod : These two Short Lines 

 thus advantageously fixed, you may at your Pleasure 

 put over to either Side of the River, so as to com- 

 mand any Part of it for fishing, or to lan.d your fish 

 when hung, Bait your Hooks, &c. When you see a 

 Fish rise, and you have not only put to him but hung 

 him, carry him down the Stream to a proper 

 Landing-place, keeping your Line a little upon the 



