38 WALTON TO THE READER. 



excellent picture of the Trout, and some of the other fish ; which I nay 

 take a liberty to commend, because they concern not myself. 



Next let me tell the Reader, that in that which is the more useful part 

 of this Discourse, that is to say, the observations of the nature, and breed- 

 ing, and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not so simple as not to know 

 that a captious Reader may find exceptions against something said of some 

 of these : and therefore I must entreat him to consider, that experience 

 teaches us to know that several countries alter the time, and I think almost 

 the manner, of fishes' breeding, but doubtless of their being in season : as 

 may appear by three rivers in Monmouthshire, namely, Severn, Wye, and 

 Usk; where Camden (Brit., fol. 633) observes, that in the river Wye, 

 Salmon are in season from September to April ; and we are certain that in 

 Thames, and Trent, and in most other rivers, they be in season the six 

 hotter months. 



Now for the Art of Catching Fish, that is to say, how to make a man 

 that was none to be an Angler by a book ; he that undertakes it shall un- 

 dertake a harder task than Mr. Hales, a most valiant and excellent fencer, 

 who in a printed book, called "A Private School of Defence," undertook 

 to teach that art or science, and was laughed at for his labor. Not but 

 that many useful things might be learned by that book, but he was laughed 

 at, because that art was not to be taught by words, but practice : and so 

 must Angling. And note also, that in this Discourse I do not undertake 

 to say all that is known, or may be said of it, but I undertake to acquaint 

 the Reader with many things that are not usually known to every Angler ; 

 and I shall leave gleanings and observations enough to be made out of the 

 experience of all that love and practise this recreation, to which I shall 

 encourage them. For Angling may be said to be so like the Mathematics 

 that it can never be fully learned ; at least not so fully but that there 

 will still be more new experiments left for the trial of other men that suc- 

 ceed us. 



But I think all that love this game may here learn something that may 

 be worth their money, if they be not poor and needy men ; and in case 

 they be, I then wish them to forbear to buy it : for I write not to get 

 ,noney, but for pleasure, and this Discourse boasts of no more ; for I hate 

 to promise much and deceive the Reader. 



And however it proves to him, yet I am sure I have found a high con- 

 tent in the search and conference of what is here offered to the Reader's 

 view and censure ; I wish him as much in the perusal of it. And so I 

 might here take my leave ; but will stay a little and tell him, that whereas 

 it is said by many, that, in fly-fishing for a Trout, the Angler must observe 

 his twelve several flies for the twelve months of the year ; I say, he that 

 follows that rule shall be as sure to catch fish, and be as wise, as he that 



