442 THE COMPLETE ANGLEB. [PART II. 



sometimes to an artificial fly to cover the point of the hook : 

 but is always to be angled with at the bottom, when by itself 

 especially, with the finest tackle ; and is for all times of the 

 year, the most holding bait of all other whatever, both for 

 trout * and grayling. 



There are several other baits, besides these few I have 

 named you, which also do very great execution at the 

 bottom ; and some that are peculiar to certain countries 

 and rivers, of which every angler may in his own place 

 make his own observation; and some others that I do 

 not think fit to put you in mind of, because I would not 

 corrupt you, and would have you, as in all things else I 

 observe you to be a very honest gentleman, a fair angler. 

 And so much for the second sort of angling for a trout at 

 the bottom. 



Fiat. But, sir, I beseech you give me leave to ask you 

 one question. Is there no art to be used to worms, to make 

 them allure the fish, and in a manner compel them to bite 

 at the bait ? 



Pise. Not that I know of: or did I know any such 

 secret, I would not use it myself, and therefore would not 

 teach it you. Though I will not deny to you that, in my 

 younger days, I have made trial of oil of osprey, oil of ivy, 

 camphor, assafcetida, juice of nettles, and several other de- 

 vices that I was taught by several anglers I met with ; 3 but 

 could never find any advantage by them ; and can scarce 

 believe there is any thing to be done that way : though I 

 must tell you, I have seen some men, who I thought went 

 to work no more artificially than I, and have yet with the 

 same kind of worms I had, in my own sight, taken five, and 



1 Col. Venables says, "the best way to angle with the cadis is on the top 

 of the water, with a fly. It must stand on the shank of the hook, as the 

 artificial fly (not come into the bend, or the fish will not value it, nor if 

 you pull the blue gut out), and thus it is most excellent bait for a trout. 

 Where the river is not violently ewift, you may place a very slender lead 

 on the shank, and draw the cad-bait over it : raise it often from the 

 bottom, and so let it sink again. You may imitate the cad-bait, making 

 the head of black silk, and the body of yellow wax or of shammy. The 

 trout will not take the cadis in muddy water, you must therefore only use 

 it in clear ones." 



2 See Part L, Anointed or Scented Baits, and notes, at pages 184 ? 185. 



