74 



In this, 'however, I speak of trouts ; for as> to f trek 

 and jacks, though the angler will rind his interest in 

 treating them with delicacy, yet he must not expect to ex- 

 perience much in their attacks. The latter are often so 

 very bold and voracious, as to attack the same bait four 

 or five times, in rapid succession j altJiough in so doing, 

 they may each time be pulled almost out of the water, or 

 be perhaps pricked with the hook repeatedly. 



Allow the fish to take your float under water, and to 

 keep it for a little while, until you think he may have 

 gorged your bait, or, at least, have got it completely into 

 his mouth. Strike moderately smart : under ordinary 

 circumstances, you will have the pleasure of landing 

 him. 



You will invariably find, that the best live laits are 

 such as you take out of very clear strong waters ; for they 

 are by tar the most healthy, vigorous, active, and pecu- 

 liarly irritable ; a quality of the utmost consideration, 

 since it causes them, whenever a fish of prey comes in 

 sight, to struggle in such a manner as seldom fails to 

 attract its notice. 



The minnows taken in the scours, or rapid shallows, are 

 of this description ; while those taken from a slow weedy 

 \vater, seem to be quite of a different disposition, and 

 will often remain on the hook perfectly passive, not 

 shewing the least disposition to escape. 



Further, as your sport lies chiefly in strong and ex- 

 pansive waters, of which the quality is far superior to 

 that from which the latter description of minnoivs are 

 taken, they do not relish the change for some time, and, 

 consequently, are not fit to undergo the operation at a 

 moment wheu they ought to be all Hie and spirits. 



It 



