CHAP. V.] THE FOURTH DAT. 147 



First, let your rod be light, and very gentle : I take the 

 best to be of two pieces. And let not your line exceed 

 especially for three or four links next to the hook I say, 

 not exceed three or four hairs at the most ; though you may 

 fish a little stronger, above, in the upper part of your line : 

 But if you can attain to angle with one hair, you shall have 

 more rises, and catch more fish. Now you must be sure not 

 to cumber yourself with too long a line ; as most do. And 

 before you begin to angle, cast to have the wind on your 

 back ; and the sun, if it shines, to be before you ; and to fish 

 down the stream ; and carry the point or top of your rod 



that I had good sport ; angling with the lob-worms as I do with the flies, 

 on the top of the water. You shall hear the fish rise at the top of the 

 water ; then, you must loose a slack line down to the bottom, as nigh as 

 you can guess ; then hold your line straight, feeling the fish bite : give 

 time, there is no doubt of losing the fish, for there is not one amongst 

 twenty but doth gorge the bait the least stroke you can strike fastens the 

 hook, and makes the fish sure, letting the fish take a turn or two ; you 

 may take him up with your hands. The night began to alter and grow 

 somewhat lighter ; I took off the lob-worms, and set to my rod a white 

 palmer-fly, made of a large hook : I had good sport for the time, until it 

 grew lighter ; so I took off the white palmer, and set to a red palmer, made 

 of a large hook ; I had good sport until it grew very light : then I took off 

 the red palmer, and set to a black palmer ; I had good sport and made up 

 the dish of fish. So I put up my tackles, and was with my lord at his 

 time appointed for the service. 



' ' These three flies, with the help of the lob-worms, serve to angle all the 

 year for the night ; observing the times as I have showed you in this 

 night-work, the white fly for darkness, and the red fly in medio, and the 

 black fly for lightness. This is the true experience for angling in the night ; 

 which is the surest angling of all, and killeth the greatest Trouts. Your 

 lines may be strong, but must not be longer than your rod. 



"Now, having taken a good dish of Trouts, I presented them to my 

 lord. He having provided good company, commanded me to turn cook, 

 and dress them for dinner. 



" There comes an honest gentleman, a familiar friend, to me he was an 

 angler begins to compliment with me, and asked me how I did ? when I 

 had been angling ? and demanded, in discourse, what was the reason I did 

 not relate in my book the dressing of his dish of fish, which he loved. J 

 pray you, sir, what dish of Trouts was that ? He said it was a dish of 

 close-boiled Trouts, buttered, with eggs. My answer was to him, that every 

 scullion dresseth that dish against his will, because he cannot calvor them. 

 I will tell you, in short : put your Trouts into the kettle when the kettle is 

 set to the fire, and let them boil gently, as many cooks do, and they shall 

 boil close enough ; which is a good dish, buttered with eggs, good for 

 ploughmen, but not for the palate. Sir, / hope I have given you 

 satisfaction" H. 



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