PREFACE. ' Vll 



way than that I teach, he will find out too late 

 his mistake. Let him learn the principles, then 

 the mode of using the bait, and then the bait 

 itself, and he will find my method the most 

 reasonable, as it will be the most destructive to 

 the trout. 



I cannot conclude my prefatory remarks with- 

 out a passing tribute of respect to the memory of 

 an old and highly esteemed friend, the late DR. 

 THORNE, of South Molton ; of his virtues gene- 

 rally, it would ill become me here to write they 

 deserve a higher eulogium in a more appropriate 

 place, than I can give them, and will ever remain 

 most highly respected in the memory of all who 

 knew him. As a fisher of small, rapid streams, 

 I never met his equal his keen love of sport, 

 his close observation of every minute detail in 

 any way affecting fishing his constant and 

 earnest reflection on every circumstance con- 

 nected with the art his open candour of com- 

 munication and his persevering industry in 

 carrying out his ideas, placed him, in my opinion, 

 a King-fisher of small, rapid streams. From him 

 did I glean my elementary knowledge of up- 



