CHAP. VI. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 115 



I should, by promise, speak next of the Salmon; but 

 I will, by your favour, say a little of the Umber, or Gray- 

 ling; which is so like a Trout for his shape and feeding, 

 that I desire I may exercise your patience with a short 

 discourse of him; and then, the next shall be of the Sal- 

 mon. 



CHAP. VI. 



Obtertations on the UMBER or GRAYLING, and Directions how 

 to fish for him. 



Piscator. THE Umber and Grayling are thought by 

 some to differ as the Herring and Pilchard do. But 

 though they may do so in other nations, I think those in 

 England differ nothing but in their names. Aldrovan- 

 dus says, they be of a Trout kind; and Gesner says, that 

 in his country, which is Switzerland, he is accounted the 

 choisest of all fish. And in Italy, he is, in the month of 

 J^fay, so highly valued, that he is sold at a much higher 

 rate than any other fish. The French, which call the 

 Chub Un Villain, call the Umber, of the lake Leman, 

 Un Umble Chevalier ; and they value the Umber or Gray- 

 ling so highly, that they say he feeds on gold ; and say, 



When you have struck a fish that may endanger your tackle, let the line run, 

 and wind him up as he tires. 



You will find great convenience in a spike, made of a piece of the greater 

 end of a sword-blade, screwed into the hither end of the butt of your rod : 

 when you have struck a fish, retire backwards from the river, and hy means of 

 the spike, stick the rod perpendicular in the ground ; you may then lay hold 

 on the line, and draw the fish to you, as you see proper. 



When yoo angle for a Trout, whether with a fly or at the ground, you need 

 make but three or four trials in a place ; which if unsuccessful, you may con- 

 clude there are none there. 



Walton, in speaking of the several rivers where Trout are found, has made 

 no mention of the Kennet ; which, undoubtedly, produces as good and as 

 many Trouts as any river in England. In the reign of King Charles the Second, 

 a Trout was taken in that river, near Newbury, with a casting.net, which 

 measured forty-five inches in length. 



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