Q2 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



PlSC. Sir, I will tell you presently what I think of your 

 host ; but first I will tell you, I am glad these otters were 

 killed ; and I am sorry there are no more otter-killers ; for 

 I know that the want of otter-killers, and the not keeping 

 the fence months for the preservation of fish, will, in time, 

 prove the destruction of all rivers. 5 And those very few that 

 are left, that make conscience of the laws of the nation, and 

 of keeping days of abstinence, will be forced to eat flesh, or 

 suffer more inconveniences than are yet foreseen. 



VEN. Why, Sir, what be those that you call the fence 

 months ? 



PlSC. Sir, they be principally three, namely, March, April, 

 and May ; for these be the usual months that salmon come 

 out of the sea to spawn in most fresh rivers. 6 And their fry 

 would, about a certain time, return back to the salt water, if 

 they were not hindered by weirs and unlawful gins, which 

 the greedy fishermen set, and so destroy them by thousands ; 

 as they would, being so taught by nature, change the fresh 

 for salt water. He that shall view the wise statutes made 

 in the I3th of Edward L, and the like in Richard II., may 

 see several provisions made against the destruction of fish ; 

 and though I profess no knowledge of the law, yet I am sure 

 the regulation of these defects might be easily mended. a But 

 I remember that a wise friend of mine did usually say, " that 

 which is everybody's business is nobody's business." If it 

 were otherwise, there could not be so many nets and fish, 

 that are under the statute size, sold daily amongst us ; and 

 of which the conservators of the waters should be ashamed. 



But, above all, the taking fish in spawning-time may be 

 said to be against nature : it is like the taking the dam on 

 the nest when she hatches her young ; a sin so against 



