32 WALTON TO THE EEADEK. 



them most of my pleasant hours, even as a shadow that passeth away 

 and returns not. 



And next let me add this, that he that likes not the book should 

 like the excellent picture of the trout, and some of the other fish; 

 which I may take a liberty to commend, because they concern not 

 myself. 



Next let me tell the reader, that in that which is the more useful 

 part of this Discourse, that is to say, the observations of the nature 

 and breeding, and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not so simple as 

 not to know that a captious reader may find exceptions against some- 

 thing said of some of these ; and therefore I must entreat him to 

 consider, that experience teaches us to know that several countries 

 alter the time, and I think almost the manner, of fishes' breeding, but 

 doubtless of their being in season ; as may appear by three rivers in 

 Monmouthshire, namely, Severn, Wye, and Usk, where Camden (Brit. 

 Fishes, 633) observes, that in the river Wye, salmon are in season from 

 September to April ; and we are certain that in Thames and Trent, and 

 in most other rivers, they be in season the six hotter months. 



Now for the art of catching fish, that is to say, how to make a man 

 that was none to be an angler by a book ; he that undertakes it, shall 

 undertake a harder task than Mr. Hales, a most valiant and excellent 

 fencer, who, in a printed book called "A Private School of Defence," 

 undertook to teach that art or science, and was laughed at for his 

 labour not but that many useful things might be learnt by that 

 book, but he was laughed at because that art was not to be taught by 

 words, but practice ; and so must angling. And note also, that in this 

 Discourse I do not undertake to say all that is known, or may be said 

 of it, but I undertake to acquaint the. reader with many things that 

 are not usually known to every angler ; and I shall leave gleanings and 

 observations, enough, to be made out of the experience of all that love 

 and practise this recreation, to which I shall encourage them. For 

 angling may be said to be so like the mathematics, that it can never 

 be fully learnt ; at least not so fully, but that there will still be more 

 new experiments left for the trial of other men that succeed us. 



But I think all that love this game may here learn something that 

 may be worth their money, if they be not poor and needy men ; and 

 in case they be, I then wish them to forbear to buy it, for I write not 

 to get money, but for pleasure, and this Discourse boasts of no more ; 

 for I hate to promise much, and deceive the reader. 



And however it proves to him, yet I am sure I have found a high 

 content in the search and conference of what is here offered to the 

 reader's view and censure : I wish him as much in the perusal of it, and 

 so I might here take my leave; but will stay a little and tell him, that 

 whereas it is said by many that in fly-fishing for a trout the angler 

 must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve months of the 

 year : I say, he that follows that rule shall be as sure to catch fish, and 

 DC as wise, as he that makes hay by the fair days in an almanac, and 

 no surer; for those very flies that use to appear about and on the 

 water in one month of the year, may the following year come almost a 

 month sooner or later, as the same year proves colder or hotter ; and 



