6 TO THE READER. 



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, 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 sameyear proves colder or hotter ; and yet in the following Discourse 

 I have set down the twelve flies that are in reputation with many Anglers, 

 and they may serve to give him some light concerning them. And he 

 may note, that there is in Wales, and other countries, peculiar flies, proper 

 to the particular place or country ; and doubtless, unless a man makes a fly 

 to counterfeit that very fly in that place, he is like to lose his labour : but 

 for the generality, three or four flies neat and rightly made, and not too 

 big, serve for a Trout in most rivers all the summer. And for winter fly- 

 fishing it is as useful as an Almanac out of date. And of these (because 

 as no man is bom an artist, so no man is bom an Angler) I thought fit to 

 give thee this notice. 



When I have told the Reader, that in this second impression there are 

 many enlargements, gathered both by my own observation, and the com- 

 munication of friends, I shall stay him no longer than to wish him a rainy 

 evening to read this following Discourse ; and that (if he be an Angler) 

 the east wind may never blow when he goes a-fishing, 



I. W. 



THE EPISTLE TO THE READER IN 

 THE FIFTH EDITION.* 



TO ALL READERS OF THIS DISCOURSE, BUT 

 ESPECIALLY TO THE HONEST ANGLER. 



I THINK fit to tell thee these following tmths ; that I did neither under- 

 take, nor write, nor publish, and much less own, this Discourse to please 

 myself : and, having been too easily drawn to do all ^ to please others, as 

 I propose not the gaining of credit by this undertaking, so I would not 

 willingly lose any part of that to which I had a just title before I began it ; 

 and do therefore desire and hope, if I deserve not commendations, yet I 

 may obtain pardon. 



Vakiation.] 6 to do aa.—Omiiied in -^d edit. 



* The variations between this, and the third ^xii. fourth editions, are pointed out in 

 the notes. 



