222 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART I. 



earthen pot or pipkin set dry, and change the moss fresh every 

 three or four days for three weeks or a month together ; then 

 your bait will he at the best, for it will be clear and lively. 



2. Having thus prepared your baits, get your tackling 



ready and fitted for this sport. Take three long 

 angling-rods, and as many and more silk, or silk 

 and hair, lines, and as many large swan or goose- 

 quill floats. Then take a piece of lead made after 

 this manner, and fasten them to the low-ends 

 of your lines. Then fasten your link-hook also to the 

 lead, and let there be about a foot or ten inches between 

 the lead and the hook; but be sure the lead be heavy 

 enough to sink the float or quill a little under the water, 

 and not the quill to bear up the lead, for the lead must lie 

 on the ground. Note, that your link next the hook may be 

 smaller than the rest of your line, if you dare adventure, for 

 fear of taking the pike or perch, who will assuredly visit 

 your hooks, till they be taken out, as I will show you after- 

 wards, before either carp or bream will come near to bite. 

 Note also, that when the worm is well baited, it will crawl 

 up and down, as far as the lead will give leave, which much 

 enticeth the fish to bite without suspicion. 



3. Having thus prepared your baits, and fitted your 

 tackling, repair to the river, where you have seen them to 

 swim in skuls or shoals in the summer-time in a hot after- 

 noon, about three or four of the clock ; and watch their 

 going forth of their deep holes and returning, which you 

 may well discern, for they return about four of the clock, 

 most of them seeking food at the bottom, yet one or two 

 will lie on the top of the water, rolling and tumbling them- 

 selves whilst the rest are under him at the bottom ; and so 

 you shall perceive him to keep sentinel : then mark where 

 he plays most, and stays lougest, which commonly is in the 

 broadest and deepest place of the river, and there, or near 

 thereabouts, at a clear bottom and a convenient landing- 

 place, take one of your angles ready fitted as aforesaid, and 

 sound the bottom, which should be about eight or ten feet 

 deep ;, two yards from the bank is best. Then consider with 

 yourself whether that water will rise or fall by the next 

 morning, by reason of any water-mills near, and according to 

 your discretion take the depth of the place, where you mean 



