MAKING AND CHOOSING HOOKS, &C. 1? 



into a water knot ; then cut off the short ends, 

 about a straw's breadth from the knot, and then 

 whip some waxed silk about the knots, which is 

 much better than inclosing them with wax. 



Never, either at ground or fly angling, fix any 

 hooks to a line that consists of more than three 

 or four links at the most ; but always make a 

 small loop at the -top and bottom of your line ; 

 the use of the one is to fasten it to your rod, 

 -and of the other to affix or remove your armed 

 hooks. The line should always be leaded accord- 

 ing to the rapidity or quietness of the river you 

 angle in; therefore, as nearly as you can guess, 

 always lead it in such a manner as will sink trie 

 bait to the b6ttom, and permit its motion, with- 

 out any violent jogging on the ground. Carry 

 the top of your rod even with your hand, be- 

 ginning at the head of the stream, and letting 

 the bait run downwards, as far as the rod and 

 line will permit, the lead dragging and rolling on 

 the ground. No more of the line must be in the 

 water than will permit the lead to touch the bot- 

 tom ; for you are to keep the line as straight as 

 possible, yet so as not to raise the lead from the 

 bottom. When you have a bite, you may per- 

 ceive it by your hand and the point of your rod 

 and line ; then strike gently and upwards, if you 

 cannot tell which way the fish's head lies ; but 

 if you can, the contrary way from where it does ; 

 first allowing the fish, by a little slackening the 

 line, a small time to pouch the bait. That is 

 called angling by hand, and is very killing for 

 trout, grayling, &c. 



Your rods, lines and hooks cannot be too 

 fine, when you fish for roach and dace. I think 

 the Londoners excel in this part of angling. 

 c 3 



