56 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART. I. 



the mid-water, or near the top; and in colder weather 

 nearer the bottom. And if you fish for him on the top, 

 with a beetle, or any fly, then be sure to let your line be 

 very long and to keep out of sight. And haying told 

 you that his spawn is excellent meat, and that the 

 head of a large Cheven, the throat being well washed, 

 is the best part of him, I will say no more of this fish 

 at the present, but wish you may catch the next you 

 fish for. 



But, lest you may judge me too nice in urging to have 

 the Chub dressed so presently after he is taken, I will 

 commend to your consideration how curious former 

 times hare been in the like kind. 



You shall read in Seneca, his Natural Questions, Lib. 

 III. Cap. 17, that the ancients were so curious in the 

 newness of their fish, that that seemed not new enough 

 that was not put alive into the guest's hand; and he 

 says, that to that end they did usually keep them living 

 in glass-bottles in their dining-rooms, and they did glory 

 much, in their entertaining of friends, to have that fish 

 taken from under their table alive that was instantly to 

 be fed upon. And he says, they took great pleasure to 

 see their Mullets change to several colours, when they 

 were dying. But enough of this; for I doubt I have 

 staid too long from giving you some Observations of the 

 Trout, and how to fish for him, which shall take up 

 the nett of my spare time. 1 



(1) The haunts of the Chub are streams shaded with trees : in summer, 

 deep holes, where they will sometimes float near the surface of the water, and 

 under the boughs on the side of a bank. 



Their spawuiog time is towards the beginning of April ; they are in season 

 from about the middle of May, till the middle of February; bat are best in 

 winter. 



At mid-water, and at bottom, use a float; at top, either dib, or, if you have 

 room, use the fly-line, as for Trout. 



They are so eacer in biting, that, when they take the bait, you may hear 

 their jaws chop like those of a dog. 



