PIKE AND OTHER FISHING 



nevertheless he knew something of fish — of coarse fish, at all 

 events. He thinks it not amiss to begin with the ' Goodgin 

 Roch and Dace which, being fishes of eager bit, most foolish, 

 least affrightful and soonest deceived, are the first fittest prayes 

 for young schoUers and such as are but learners in the Art of 

 Angling : for the easiness of their gaining will not only settle 

 an unresolved mind, but give unto ignorance both comfort and 

 encouragement . ' 



It is to be regretted that so few of the old anglers realised 

 Markham's ideal, in so far, at all events, as writing a discourse 

 of their art in true terms. What they wrote when they did 

 take pen in hand was to the point, lacking descriptive em- 

 broidery : the characteristics of fish and baits suitable for 

 the various species practically monopolised their endeavours. 

 Thus Leonard Mascall on the ' Barbyll ' for example, ' a subtill 

 and straunge fish to take and very daintie to take his baite.' 

 Walton recommends that rod and line be both long and strong 

 for barbel fishing, as ' you will find him a heavy and a dogged 

 fish to be dealt withal.' 



The carp (said by Mascall to have been introduced into this 

 country by a namesake of his own, but mentioned in the Boke 

 of St. Albans, published at an earlier date than he assigns to its 

 arrival) was too wary to be popular among anglers, however 

 conspicuous its merits for the pond or stew. ' If you will fish 

 for Carp,' says Walton, ' you must put on a very large measure 

 of patience, especially to fish for a river Carp. I have known 

 a very good fisher angle diligently four or six hours in a day, 

 for three or four days together, for a river Carp and not have 

 a bite. . . . But you are to remember that I have told you 

 there is no rule without an exception : and therefore being 

 possest with that hope and patience which I wish to all fishers, 

 especially to the Carp angler, I shall tell you with what bait 

 to fish for him. . . . And some have been so curious as to say 

 the tenth of April is a fatal day for Carp.' One of the suitable 

 pastes for carp, it may be observed, includes the flesh of a rabbit 

 or cat, cut small. 



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