THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 147 



a river ; that is to say, where they have store of feed, and the 

 water is of a clayish colour. But you are to remember that I 

 have told you there is no rule without an exception ; and, 

 therefore, being possessed with that hope and patience which I 

 wish to all fishers, especially to the Carp angler, I shall tell 

 you with what bait to nsh for him. But first you are to know, 

 that it must be either early or late ; and let me tell you, that in 

 hot weather (for he will seldom bite in cold) you cannot be too 

 early or too late at it. And some have been so curious as to 

 say, the 10th of April is a fatal day for Carps. 



The Carp bites either at worms or at paste : and of worms I 

 think the bluish marsh or meadow-worm is best ; but possibly 

 another worm, not too big, may do as well, and so may a green 

 gentle; and as for pastes, there are almost as many sorts as 

 there are medicines for the toothach ; but doubtless sweet 

 pastes are best ; I mean pastes made with honey or with sugar, 

 which, that you may the better beguile this crafty fish, should 

 be thrown into the pond or place in which you fish for him, 

 some hours, or longer, before you .undertake your trial of skill 

 with the angle-rod ; and doubtless, if it be thrown into the 

 water a day or two before, at several times, and in small pellets, 

 you are the likelier, when you fish for the Carp, to obtain your 

 desired sport. Or, in a large pond, to draw them to any certain 

 place, that they may the better and with more hope be fished 

 for, you are to throw into it, in some certain place, either 

 grains, or blood mixed with cow-dung, or with bran, or any 

 garbage, as chicken's guts, or the like ; and then some of your 

 small sweet pellets with which you purpose to angle : and these 

 small pellets being a few of them also thrown in as you are 

 angling, will be the better. 



And your paste must be thus made : Take the flesh of a rabbit 

 or cat cut small,* and bean -flour ; and if that may not be easily 

 got, get other flour ; and then mix these together, and put to 

 them either sugar, or honey, which I think better ; and then 

 beat these together in a mortar, or sometimes work them in 

 your hands, your hands being very clean ; and then make it 

 into a ball, or two or three, as you like best, for your use : but 

 you must work or pound it so long in the mortar, as to make it 

 so tough as to hang upon your hook without washing from it, 

 yet not too hard : or, that you may the better keep it on your 

 hook, you may knead with your paste a little, and not much, 

 white or yellowish wool. 



And if you would have this paste keep all the year, for any 

 other fish, then mix with it virgin wax and clarified honey, and 



* The sort of flesh does not seem to be of any importance ; though the 

 whiter it be perhaps the better, and therefore veal or pork is good. J. R. 



