290 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



here are three * brace of Trouts, one of them the biggest but one 

 that ever I killed with a fly in my life ; and yet I lost a bigger 

 than that, with my fly to boot ; and here are three Graylings, 

 and one of them longer by some inches than that I took yesterday, 

 and yet I thought that a good one too. 



Piscator. Why, you have made a pretty good morning's work 

 on 't ; and now, sir, what think you of our river Dove ? 



Viator. I think it to be the best Trout river in England ; 

 and am so far in love with it, that if it were mine, and that I 

 could keep it to myself, I would not exchange that water for all 

 the land it runs over, to be totally debarred from it. 



Piscator. That compliment to the river speaks you a true 

 lover of the art of angling. And now, sir, to make part of 

 amends for sending you so uncivilly out alone this morning, I 

 will myself dress you this dish of fish for your dinner : walk but 

 into the parlour, you will find one book or other, in the window, 

 to entertain you the while : and you shall have it presently. 



Viator. Well, sir, I obey you. 



Piscator. Look you, sir, have I not made haste ? 

 Viator. Believe me, sir, that you have ; and it looks so well, 

 I long to be at it. 



Piscator. Fall to then : now, sir, what say you, am I a 

 tolerable cook or no ? 



Viator. So good a one that I did never eat so good fish in 

 my life. This fish is infinitely better than any I ever tasted of 

 the kind in my life. It is quite another thing than our Trouts 

 about London. 



Piscator. You would say so, if that Trout you eat of were 

 in right season : but pray eat of the Grayling, which, upon my 

 word, at this time, is by much the better fish. 



Viator. In earnest, and so it is. And I have on request to 

 make to you, which is, that as you have taught me to catch 

 Trout and Grayling, you will now teach me how to dress them 

 as these are dressed, which, questionless, is of all other the 

 best way. 



Piscator. That I will, sir, with all my heart ; and am glad 

 you like them so well as to make that request. And they are 

 dressed thus : 



Take your Trout, wash, and dry him with a clean napkin ; 

 then open him, and having taken out his guts, and all the blood, 

 wipe him very clean within, but wash him not ; and give him 

 three scotches with a knife to the bone, on one side only. After 

 which take a clean kettle, and put in it as much hard stale beer, 

 (but it must not be dead,) vinegar, and a little white wine and 

 water, as will cover the fish you intend to boil : then throw into 

 the liquor a good quantity of salt, the rind of a lemon, a handful 

 * Spoke like a South-country man. 



