CHAP. iv. THE SECOND DAY. 203 



that my father Walton having read to you before, it would look 

 like a presumption in me (and, peradventure, would do so in 

 any other man) to pretend to give lessons for angling after him, 

 who, I do really believe, understands as much of it at least as 

 any man in England, did I not preacquaint you that I am not 

 tempted to it by any vain opinion of myself, that I am able to 

 give you better directions ; but having, from my childhood, 

 pursued the recreation of angling in very clear rivers, truly I 

 think by much, some of them at least, the clearest in this 

 kingdom, and the manner of angling here with us, by reason of 

 that exceeding clearness, being something different from the 

 method commonly used in others, which by being not near so 

 bright, admit of stronger tackle, and allow a nearer approach 

 to the stream ; I may peradventure give you some instructions 

 that may be of use, even in your own rivers, and shall bring you 

 acquainted with more flic's, and show you how to make them, 

 and with^what_jubbing too, than he has taken notice of in his 

 Complete Angler\ 

 VIAT. I beseech^ou, sir, do : and if you will lend me your 



breakfast in a morningjoo. 



CHAPTER IV. 



OF ANGLING FOR TROUT OR GRAYLING AT THE U TOP,' ; AT 

 THE " MIDDLE," AND AT THE " BOTTOM." 



PlSC. Why then, sir, to begin methodically, as a master in 

 any art should do ; and I will not deny but that I think myself 

 a master in this, I shall divide angling for trout or grayling into 

 these three ways : at the top, at the bottom, and in the middle. 

 Which three ways, though they are all of them, as I shall 

 hereafter endeavour to make it appear, in some sort common to 

 both those kinds of fish, yet are they not so generally and 

 absolutely so, but that they will necessarily require a distinction, 

 which, in due place, I will also give you. 



