228 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



end of February, or the beginning of March, he begins to be weary 

 of his melancholy repose, and to raise himself a little from the 

 bottom, and is more active in seeking his food ; at the latter end 

 of March, or sometimes the middle, he shoots into the scours, and 

 there leaves the spawn to multiply according to its kind. In April 

 or May he still gets higher, and advances himself into the shallows, 

 and if unmolested there, he will so continue most of the summer. 

 In September he begins to retreat again, and removes himself from 

 hi? harbour to visit his winter quarters, which will be much the 

 same as before if no floods disorder him. This is his yearly 

 course, to change according to heat or cold, so that a pike, like a 

 person of quality, hath both a winter and a summer house. 



" As to his daily transaction, he thus disposes of himself : in a 

 hot gloomy day, he gets to the surface of the water, as if he had a 

 desire to exchange his element to* enjoy the comfortable influence 

 of the airy region ; he then scorns to be tempted with a bait, and 

 can live all day with a little more nourishment than the motes in 

 the sun ; for you no sooner offer him the kindness of a deceitful 

 bait, than he is gone as swift as lightning. 



" A ford that is clear and gravelly at the bottom, especially if it 

 have a pit adjoining to it that is deep and weedy, is looked upon 

 as a probable place ; for though they generally affect a deep water, 

 yet they will get as near as they can to a ford or shallow ; there 

 they delight themselves and sport with the little fry. Thus, scours 

 and pits that are near mills, either above or below them, are com- 

 monly well stored with fish : a mill-dam that is deep and weedy is 

 an approved receptacle for them. Rivers that are straight and 

 level are not so good as those that are crooked and have many 

 corners and turnings ; for the fish will get into those creeks and 

 channels, and hide themselves in private apartments. If the water 

 is narrow, it is more pleasing for the troller, for you may fish both 

 sides, and the sooner find them ; you will then go on the faster and 

 with more courage, and drive forward to your journey's end; but 

 this is chiefly as every one fancies, for some desire the widest plac 

 they can find, and fix themselves two or three hours without 



ace, 



' 



