170 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



and then striking at the line, to break it off, with his tail, as is 

 observed by Plutarch in his book, De industria Animalium ; 

 and also so cunning, to nibble and suck off your worm close to 

 the hook, and yet avoid the letting the hook come into his 

 mouth. 



The Barbel is also curious for his baits ; that is to say, that 

 they be clean and sweet ; that is to say, to have your worms 

 well scoured, and not kept in sour and musty moss, for he is a 

 curious feeder : but at a well scoured lob-worm he will bite as 

 boldly as at any bait, and especially if, the night or two before 

 you fish for him, you shall bait the places where you intend to 

 fish for him, with big worms cut into pieces.* And note, that 

 none did ever over-bait the place, nor fish too early or too late 

 for a Barbel. And the Barbel will bite also at gentles, which, 

 not being too much scoured, but green, are a choice bait for 

 him : and so is cheese, which is not to be too hard, but kept a 

 day or two in a wet linen cloth, to make it tough : with this 

 you may also bait the \vater a day or two before you fish for 

 the Barbel, and be much the likelier to catch store ; and if the 

 cheese were laid in clarified honey a short time before, as 

 namely, an hour or two, you were still the likelier to catch 

 fish. Some have directed to cut the cheese into thin pieces, 

 and toast it, and then tie it on the hook with fine silk. And 

 some advise to fish for the Barbel with sheep's tallow and 

 soft choese, beaten or worked into a paste ; and that it is choicely 

 good in August ; and I believe it. But, doubtless, the lob- 

 worm well scoured, and the gentle not too much scoured, and 

 cheese ordered as I have directed, are baits enough, and I think 

 will serve in any month ; though I shall commend any angler 

 that tries conclusions, and is industrious to improve the art. 

 And now, my honest scholar, the long shower, and my tedious 

 discourse are both ended together : and I shall give you but 

 this observation, that when yon fish for a Barbel, your rod and 

 line be both long and of good strength ; for, as I told you, you 

 will find him a heavy and a dogged fish to be dealt withal ; yet 

 he seldom or never breaks his hold, if he be once strucken. 

 And if you would know more of fishing for the Umber, or 

 Barbel, f get into favour with Dr Sheldon, whose skill is above 



Graves, (which are the sediment of tallow melted for the making 

 of candles,) cut into pieces, are an excellent ground-bait for Barbel, 

 Gudgeons, Roach, and many other fish, if thrown in the night before you 

 angle. 



+ Of the haunts of the Barbel, the author has spoke sufficiently. Barbel 

 spawn about the middle of April, and grow in season about a month after. 



Baits for Barbel, other than what Walton 



brood of wasps, hornets, and humble bees. 

 for him, u 



n has mentioned, are the young 



In fishing for him, use a very strong rod, and a silk line with a shot and 

 a bullet, as directed for the Trout. Some use a cork float, which, if you 



