PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 9 



heads than my own ; still, since I first fished the 

 Yorkshire waters, now more than twenty years ago, 

 I have made a point of recording every matter of 

 moment which I have noticed on the rivers, or have 

 heard from my fellow-fishermen, and in this book the 

 results of those observations are set forth. The 

 chapter upon creeper-fishing a branch of our 

 beautiful art and recreation, which has hitherto been 

 neglected in the county may, I trust, have some 

 influence in inducing Yorkshire anglers to take up 

 this scientific and deadly method. For the rest, if 

 there is nothing absolutely new, there is, I fervently 

 hope, nothing worthless ; and, having said this, 

 it only remains for me to acknowledge my obliga- 

 tions to many kind friends in all parts of the 

 county, and even further afield, who have been 

 ever ready to assist me with their knowledge, 

 and their counsel and advice; and, first amongst 

 them, I would express my gratitude to Mr. Wil- 

 liam Naylor, of Keighley, to whom I am deeply 

 indebted for his kindly help in the following pages ; 

 and to Mr. J. W. Reffitt, of Leeds, for his assist- 

 ance in the patterns and sketches of minnow 

 tackle ; and Mr. Cadman, of Gomersal ; and I 

 must not forget the genial courtesy by which I 



