224 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART. I. 



or ponds that lie dry a winter season, than in old ponds that 

 be full of mud and weeds. 1 



(I) It is observable, that the author has said very little of pond-fishing; 

 which is, iu truth, a dull recreation; and to which 1 have heard it objected, that 

 fish in ponds are alreafly caught. Nevertheless, I find that in the canal at St. 

 James's Park, which, though a large one, is vet a poud, it was, iu the reign of 

 Charles If. the practice of ladies to angle. 



" Beneath a shole of silver fishes glides, 

 And plays about the gilded barges' sides; 

 The ladies, angling in the chrysul lake, 

 Feast on the waters with the prey they take : 

 At once victorious with their Hues and eyes, 

 They make the fishes and the men their prize." 



WALLER. Poem on St. James's Park, 

 lately improved by his ifajetty. 



As the method of ordering fish-ponds is now very well known, and there are 

 few books of gardening but what give ome directions about it, it is hoped the 

 reader will think the following quotation from Bowlker sufficient, by way of 

 annotation on this chapter. 



Wneu you intend to stock a pool with Carp or Tench, make a close cthcring 

 hedge, across the bead of the pool, about a yard distance of the dam, and about 

 three feet above the water; which is the best refuge for them I know of, and 

 the only method to preserve pool-fish ; because if any one attempts to rob the 

 pool. addie the water, or disturbs it with nets, most of the fish, if not all, im- 

 mediately fly between the hedge and the data, to preserve themselves : and in 

 all pools where there are such shelters and shades, the fish delight to swim 

 backwards and forwards, through and round the same, rubbing and sporting 

 themselves therewith. This hedge ought to be made chiefly of orls, and not too 

 close; the boughs long and straggling towards the dam; by which means you 

 may feed and ratten them as you please. The best baits for drawing them toge- 

 thcr, at first, are, maggots, or young wasp*; the next are, bullock's brains and 

 lob-worms, chopped together, and thrown into the pools in large quantities, 

 about two boor* before sun-set, summer and winter. By thus using these 

 ground. baits, once a day, for a fortnight together, the fish will come as con- 

 stantly and naturally to the place as cattle to their fodder; and to satisfy your 

 cariosity, and to convince you herein, after you have baited the pool for some 

 time, as directed, take about the quantity of a two-penny loaf of w beaten bread, 

 cat it into slices, and wet it; then throw it into the pool where you had baited, 

 and the Carp will feed upon it: after you have used the wet bread three or 

 fear mornings, then throw some dry bread in, which will lie on the top of the 

 water; and if you watch, out of sight of the fish, you will presently s^e them 

 swim to it, and suck it in. I look upon wheateu bread to be the best food for 

 them, though barley or oaten bread is very good. If theie be Tench and Pearch 

 in the same pond, they will feed upon the four former baits, and not touch the 

 bread. Indeed there is BO pool-fish so su* and nice as a Carp. When the water 

 is disturbed, Carp will fly to the safest shelter they can ; which I one day ob- 

 served, when assisting a gentleman to fish his pool ; for another person disturbed 

 Che water by throwing thecasting.net, but caught never a Carp ; whereupon two 

 or three of us stripped and went into the pool, which was provided with such a 

 sort of a hedge in it as is before described, whither the Carp had fled for safety ; 

 then fishing with our hands on both sides the hedge, that is, one on either side, 

 we catched what quantity of Carp was wanting." Bowlker, p. 6'2. 



The reader may also consult a book published about the year 17VZ, intitled, 



