TJIK UAUB''/Ull UP A TIKI:. 



proved of that dull way, as thinking it needless and 

 impertinent to cast three or four times in the same 

 pluce, because a Fike, if he bites, commonly rises at 

 it the first throw, though he may sometimes snap at it 

 when you have the least thoughts of him. 



As to the nature or constitution of the river, the 

 deeper is generally the better and the safest harbour; 

 although he delights in a middle retirement, about four 

 feet in depth is a right proportion, and the best pitch 

 for the Troller; for if it be much deeper, they are the 

 morp difficult to stir, and harder to find ; and if 

 shallower, they will be apt to see you, and so shun 

 the enticements of a treacherous friend. Small Jacks 

 will often lie within two, or sometimes one foot in 

 water ; it is the wisest course in such places to keep at 

 a distance, and not come nigh the river till the bait 

 Is in. 



CHAP. V. 



The best Seasons for Trolling. 



THERE are some that pretend to trolling, and yet 

 observe no one time or season to b<> better than an- 

 other ; a Pike indeed will bite more or less at any 

 time, let him set out when he will ; but to go out at 

 all adventures, is a very uncertain and insecure way : 

 as to the heat in Summer, and frost and snow in Win. 

 ter, he had better make hay in the one, and sit by the 

 fire in the other: some will bra.; of their hardy consti- 

 tutions, that they can break the ice with one hand, 

 and take out fish with the other, and slide a trolling 

 (like Dutchmen) on their skates, and not be sensible 

 of the inclemency of the air: they will be sti^l for fish- 

 ing, when the weather is more proper for fowling ; 

 they will pretend they can charm the fish at Christmas 

 with a sweet bait ? will present their landlord with a 



