3& OBSERVATIONS 



they bite freely are nice feeders ; having 

 baited your hook, let your plumb sink gent- 

 ly to the bottom, about two yards from the 

 side, or nearer, if there are no oziers or 

 stumps to incommode you, draw your line 

 tight till you feel the plumb at the bottom, 

 which will bend the top of your rod a little, 

 and the bite of a very small fish will be easi- 

 ly felt ; when a barbel bites you will per- 

 ceive it by a sudden jerk, so strong as to 

 endanger your rod being pulled out of your 

 hands, this is the time to strike, not directly 

 upwards, buf in the direction your line lies 

 in the water, for instance, if the stream runs 

 from right to left, you will strike to the 

 right, and if the contrary, to the left, it be- 

 ing impofsible from the depth of the water 

 and strength of the current that your plumb 

 should be perpendicular, under the top ot 

 your rod ; when you have hooked him, he 

 will shew you ample diversion, and as he is 

 a leather mouthed fish it rarely happens that 

 the hook mifses its hold or tears out, govern 

 him with a tight line not only to keep him 



