TJ1E BEST SEASONS FOR TROLLING. 229 



the chirping birds then begin to seek their mates, and 

 the long silent Cuckoo that forsook her cold climate, 

 does again salute her sprouting branches, and tc-11 us 

 the news of an approaching Summer ; you may then 

 please yourself to see the tender Swallow so joyful at 

 her first flight, when she seems to make obeisance to 

 your bait, and displays her wings upon the surface of 

 the waters. This month you will find most propitious 

 to your pastime, because the weeds which have couched 

 all Winter, have not yet erected their heads to annoy 

 the bait, or frustrate the hopes of an impatient fisher- 

 man. This month, I say, is usually successful for this 

 diversion, because the river is then clear of fog and 

 filth ; and also that the fish, which have lately cast their 

 spawn, are now more hungry and ready for their prey; 

 there is now little fear of their forsaking your bait as 

 they did in March. They are not yet arrived to that 

 fatness and firmness which they will get in Summer, 

 but are many of them flamp and thin ; the individium 

 decreasing to multiply the species. 



The beginning of May is likewise very seasonable, 

 especially if it hits with the proverb, cold and windy ; 

 towards the latter end of it, the weeds spring up and 

 are very offensive to the hook ; then begins the Troll. 

 r's vacation, which continues till the latter end of 

 August, or the beginning of September ; yet those who 

 are afraid of an Ague at Spring, or Fall, may choose 

 themselves the coolest, cloudy day they can find in 

 June or July to exercise their skill ; but then they will 

 be sure to take more weeds than fish. 



As to the Autumnal season, October is the principal 

 month, the weather being then temperate, and the 

 weeds which were strong and high before, now die and 

 fall to the bottom. The rivers are then generally low, 

 which is a great advantage, because the fish are more 

 easily found in their harbours ; they leave the shallows 

 and scours, and lodge themselves in pits and the deep, 

 est places. A Pike is now very firm and fat, having 

 had the benefit of the Summer's food : and if the wea- 

 thr continues dry and not extraordinary cold, you 

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