NOBBSS ART OF TROLLING. 



lance, and the- A they meet, and take most that are be- 

 fueen them. 



As to the cast.net, it is rather a friend, and subser- 

 vient to the troll, than an enemy to the sport. There 

 is no way so good to take baits as \\ith it ; because out 

 of a multitude of fish which it takes, you may have 

 your choice of baits. An angle indeed may make a 

 shift sometimes in Summer, but that often takes either 

 those that are two little or too big baits* 



A cast-net to take small fry, to feed Pikes in a pond, 

 is necessary and beneficial many ways. Those that use 

 it as destructive as they can, cannot revenge themselves 

 much upon the Pikes; they may kill many small Jacks 

 with it in shallow streams, but the great fish that lie 

 deep and close, are too secure from the narrow com- 

 pass of a cast.net: it may by chance fall upon a great 

 one, yet if there are any weeds or fog in the place, and 

 the net is not strong and well bulleted, and the Caster 

 very weary in drawing it up, the Pike will deceive his 

 expe: tations. In a clear place, where there are no 

 impediments or obstructions, and the bottom smooth 

 and level, it may enclose and draw up a good Pike ; 

 but where there are the least incumbrances to annoy 

 the net, it is to be supposed, the fish will make his 

 escape. The new sort of nets that are hung with 

 chains instead of bullets, are tco light for this service. 



Next to the nets which kill by wholesale, the Troll. 

 ers are often the greatest enemies one to another, espe- 

 cially in the way of ledger-bait, which is very destruc- 

 tive 5 for that enticing way which they use with a live 

 bait, and laying such an army of hooks, must weaken 

 the forces of the watery militia. 



Dead baits are not so pernicious, yet if they are too 

 often used, they will lessen the fish; for at some sea- 

 sons of the year, they will bite till there is scarce any 

 left in the place : the way to favour it is to be moderate, 

 and not beat a river too much, or with too many hooks; 

 to fish more for pleasure than profit, and to come but 

 once or twice in a season to tbe same river. 



The snare may do harm at the beginning of the year 



