CHAP. X.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 167 



place all night ; and in the morning, about three or four of the 

 clock, visit the water -side, but not too near, for they have a 

 cunning watchman, and are watchful themselves too. 



Then gently take one of your three rods, and bait your hook, 

 casting it over your ground-bait ; and gently and secretly draw 

 it to you, till the lead rests about the middle of the ground- 

 bait. 



Then take a second rod and cast in about a yard above, and 

 your third a yard below the first rod, and stay the rods in the 

 ground ; but go yourself so far from the water-side, that you 

 perceive nothing but the top of the floats, which you must watch 

 most diligently. Then, when you have a bite, you shall per- 

 ceive the top of your float to sink suddenly into the water ; yet 

 nevertheless be not too hasty to run to your rods, until you sec 

 that the line goes clear away ; then creep to the water-side, and 

 give as much line as possibly you can : if it be a good Carp or 

 Bream, they will go to the farther side of the river, then strike 

 gently, and hold your rod at a bent a little while ; but if you 

 both pull together, you are sure to lose your game, for either 

 your line, or hook, or hold, will break : and after you have over- 

 come them, they will make noble sport, and are very shy to be 

 landed. The Carp is far stronger and more mettlesome than 

 the Bream. 



Much more is to be observed in this kind of fish and fishing, 

 but it is far fitter for experience and discourse than paper. 

 Only thus much is necessary for you to know, and to be mind- 

 ful and careful of; that if the Pike or Pearch do breed in that 

 river, they will be sure to bite first, and must first be taken. 

 And for the most part they are very large ; and will repair to 

 your ground-bait, not that they will eat of it, but will feed and 

 sport themselves amongst the young fry that gather about and 

 hover over the bait. 



The way to discern the Pike and to take him, if you mistrust 

 your Bream-hook, for I have taken a Pike a yard long several 



