54 THE DRIFFIELD ANGLER. 



five inches in length ; it was presented to 

 Richard Langley, Esquire, of Wykeham- 

 Abbey, lord of the said manor, and was 

 judged to be one of the best fish of the kind 

 ever eat : it was certainly the largest and 

 finest ever taken at Driffield. I have taken 

 several in the same river that have weighed 

 from twelve to eighteen and twenty pounds, 

 by trolling, and also by the snap ; and even 

 when trolling for Trout with the minnow, 

 and gut next the hook, have by chance taken 

 them from five to ten pounds. 



They begin spawning about the middle of 

 February, if the season be forward, and re- 

 tire till towards the latter end of March into 

 creeks or ditches, as is supposed that other 

 fish may not devour their spawn, and where 

 there is a sufficient supply of water. . In 

 ponds they seek the neck or shallow parts 

 of the water, among weeds, mud, roots, 

 gravel, &c. where the spawner casts her 

 eggs, and the milter performs his office. 

 About the middle of September you may see 



