Chapter III: Part 3

And yet I wil exercise your promised patience by saying a little of the _Caterpillar_, or the _Palmer flie_ or _worm_; that by them you may guess what a work it were in a Discourse but to run over those very many _flies, worms_, and little living creatures with which the Sun and Summer adorn and beautifie the river banks and meadows; both for the recreation and contemplation of the Angler: and which (I think) I myself enjoy more then any other man that is not of my profession.

_Pliny_ holds an opinion, that many have their birth or being from a dew that in the Spring falls upon the leaves of trees; and that some kinds of them are from a dew left upon herbs or flowers: and others from a dew left upon Colworts or Cabbages: All which kindes of dews being thickened and condensed, are by the Suns generative heat most of them hatch'd, and in three dayes made living creatures, and of several shapes and colours; some being hard and tough, some smooth and soft; some are horned in their head, some in their tail, some have none; some have hair, some none; some have sixteen feet, some less, and some have none: but (as our _Topsel_ hath with great diligence observed) [in his _History_ of Serpents.] those which have none, move upon the earth, or upon broad leaves, their motion being not unlike to the waves of the sea. Some of them hee also observes to be bred of the eggs of other Caterpillers: and that those in their time turn to be _Butter-flies_; and again, that their eggs turn the following yeer to be _Caterpillars_.

'Tis endlesse to tell you what the curious Searchers into Natures productions, have observed of these Worms and Flies: But yet I shall tell you what our _Topsel_ sayes of the _Canker_, or _Palmer-worm_, or _Caterpiller_; That wheras others content themselves to feed on particular herbs or leaves (for most think, those very leaves that gave them life and shape, give them a particular feeding and nourishment, and that upon them they usually abide;) yet he observes, that this is called a _Pilgrim_ or _Palmer-worm_, for his very wandering life and various food; not contenting himself (as others do) with any certain place for his abode, nor any certain kinde of herb or flower for his feeding; but will boldly and disorderly wander up and down, and not endure to be kept to a diet, or fixt to a particular place.

Nay, the very colours of _Caterpillers_ are, as one has observed, very elegant and beautiful: I shal (for a taste of the rest) describe one of them, which I will sometime the next month, shew you feeding on a Willow tree, and you shal find him punctually to answer this very description: "His lips and mouth somewhat yellow, his eyes black as Jet, his ore-head purple, his feet and hinder parts green, his tail two forked and black, the whole body stain'd with a kind of red spots which run along the neck and shoulder-blades, not unlike the form of a Cross, or the letter X, made thus cross-wise, and a white line drawn down his back to his tail; all which add much beauty to his whole body." And it is to me observable, that at a fix'd age this _Caterpiller_ gives over to eat, and towards winter comes to be coverd over with a strange shell or crust, and so lives a kind of dead life, without eating all the winter, and (as others of several kinds turn to be several kinds of flies and vermin, the Spring following) [view Sir _Fra. Bacon_ exper. 728 & 90 in his Natural History] so this _Caterpiller_ then turns to be a painted Butterflye.

Come, come my Scholer, you see the River stops our morning walk, and I wil also here stop my discourse, only as we sit down under this Honey-Suckle hedge, whilst I look a Line to fit the Rod that our brother _Peter_ has lent you, I shall for a little confirmation of what I have said, repeat the observation of the Lord _Bartas_.

_God not contented to each kind to give,
And to infuse the vertue generative,
By his wise power made many creatures breed
Of liveless bodies, without_ Venus _deed.

So the cold humour breeds the_ Salamander,
_Who (in effect) like to her births commander
With child with hundred winters, with her touch
Quencheth the fire, though glowing ne'r so much.

So in the fire in burning furnace springs
The fly_ Perausta _with the flaming wings;
Without the fire it dies, in it, it joyes,
Living in that which all things else destroyes_.

[Sidenote: Gerb. Herbal. Cabdem]

_So slow_ Boötes _underneath him sees
In th'icie Islands_ Goslings _hatcht of trees,
Whose fruitful leaves falling into the water,
Are turn'd ('tis known) to living fowls soon after.

So rotten planks of broken ships, do change
To_ Barnacles. _Oh transformation strange!
'Twas first a green tree, then a broken hull,
Lately a Mushroom, now a flying Gull_.

_Vi_. Oh my good Master, this morning walk has been spent to my great pleasure and wonder: but I pray, when shall I have your direction how to make Artificial flyes, like to those that the _Trout_ loves best? and also how to use them?

_Pisc_. My honest Scholer, it is now past five of the Clock, we will fish til nine, and then go to Breakfast: Go you to yonder _Sycamore tree_, and hide your bottle of drink under the hollow root of it; for about that time, and in that place, we wil make a brave Breakfast with a piece of powdered Bief, and a Radish or two that I have in my Fish-bag; we shall, I warrant you, make a good, honest, wholsome, hungry Breakfast, and I will give you direction for the making and using of your fly: and in the mean time, there is your Rod and line; and my advice is, that you fish as you see mee do, and lets try which can catch the first fish.

_Viat_. I thank you, Master, I will observe and practice your direction as far as I am able.

_Pisc_. Look you Scholer, you see I have hold of a good fish: I now see it is a _Trout_; I pray put that net under him, and touch not my line, for if you do, then wee break all. Well done, Scholer, I thank you. Now for an other. Trust me, I have another bite: Come Scholer, come lay down your Rod, and help me to land this as you did the other. So, now we shall be sure to have a good dish of fish for supper.

_Viat_. I am glad of that, but I have no fortune; sure Master yours is a better Rod, and better Tackling.

_Pisc_. Nay then, take mine and I will fish with yours. Look you, Scholer, I have another: come, do as you did before. And now I have a bite at another. Oh me he has broke all, there's half a line and a good hook lost.

_Viat_. Master, I can neither catch with the first nor second Angle; I have no fortune.

_Pisc_. Look you, Scholer, I have yet another: and now having caught three brace of _Trouts_, I will tel you a short Tale as we walk towards our Breakfast. A Scholer (a Preacher I should say) that was to preach to procure the approbation of a Parish, that he might be their Lecturer, had got from a fellow Pupil of his the Copy of a Sermon that was first preached with a great commendation by him that composed and precht it; and though the borrower of it preach't it word for word, as it was at first, yet it was utterly dislik'd as it was preach'd by the second; which the Sermon Borrower complained of to the Lender of it, and was thus answered; I lent you indeed my _Fiddle_, but not my _Fiddlestick_; and you are to know, that every one cannot make musick with my words which are fitted for my own mouth. And so my Scholer, you are to know, that as the ill pronunciation or ill accenting of a word in a Sermon spoiles it, so the ill carriage of your Line, or not fishing even to a foot in a right place, makes you lose your labour: and you are to know, that though you have my Fiddle, that is, my very Rod and Tacklings with which you see I catch fish, yet you have not my Fiddle stick, that is, skill to know how to carry your hand and line; and this must be taught you (for you are to remember I told you Angling is an Art) either by practice, or a long observation, or both.

But now lets say Grace, and fall to Breakfast; what say you Scholer, to the providence of an old Angler? Does not this meat taste well? And was not this place well chosen to eat it? for this _Sycamore_ tree will shade us from the Suns heat.

_Viat_. All excellent good, Master, and my stomack excellent too; I have been at many costly Dinners that have not afforded me half this content: and now good Master, to your promised direction for making and ordering my Artificiall flye.

_Pisc_. My honest Scholer, I will do it, for it is a debt due unto you, by my promise: and because you shall not think your self more engaged to me then indeed you really are, therefore I will tell you freely, I find Mr. _Thomas Barker_ (a Gentleman that has spent much time and money in Angling) deal so judicially and freely in a little book of his of Angling, and especially of making and Angling with a _flye_ for a _Trout_, that I will give you his very directions without much variation, which shal follow.

Let your rod be light, and very gentle, I think the best are of two pieces; the line should not exceed, (especially for three or four links towards the hook) I say, not exceed three or four haires; but if you can attain to Angle with one haire; you will have more rises, and catch more fish. Now you must bee sure not to cumber yourselfe 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 streame, and carry the point or tip of the Rod downeward; by which meanes the shadow of yourselfe, and Rod too will be the least offensive to the Fish, for the sight of any shadow amazes the fish, and spoiles your sport, of which you must take a great care.

In the middle of _March_ ('till which time a man should not in honestie catch a _Trout_) or in April, if the weather be dark, or a little windy, or cloudie, the best fishing is with the _Palmer-worm_, of which I last spoke to you; but of these there be divers kinds, or at least of divers colours, these and the _May-fly_ are the ground of all _fly_-Angling, which are to be thus made:

First you must arm your hook, with the line in the inside of it; then take your Scissers and cut so much of a browne _Malards_ feather as in your own reason wil make the wings of it, you having with all regard to the bigness or littleness of your hook, then lay the outmost part of your feather next to your hook, then the point of your feather next the shank of your hook; and having so done, whip it three or four times about the hook with the same Silk, with which your hook was armed, and having made the Silk fast, take the hackel of a _Cock_ or _Capons_ neck, or a _Plovers_ top, which is usually better; take off the one side of the feather, and then take the hackel, Silk or Crewel, Gold or Silver thred, make these fast at the bent of the hook (that is to say, below your arming), then you must take the hackel, the silver or gold thred, and work it up to the wings, shifting or stil removing your fingers as you turn the Silk about the hook: and still looking at every stop or turne that your gold, or what materials soever you make your Fly of, do lye right and neatly; and if you find they do so, then when you have made the head, make all fast, and then work your hackel up to the head, and make that fast; and then with a needle or pin divide the wing into two, and then with the arming Silk whip it about crosswayes betwixt the wings, and then with your thumb you must turn the point of the feather towards the bent of the hook, and then work three or four times about the shank of the hook and then view the proportion, and if all be neat, and to your liking, fasten.

I confess, no direction can be given to make a man of a dull capacity able to make a flye well; and yet I know, this, with a little practice, wil help an ingenuous Angler in a good degree; but to see a fly made by another, is the best teaching to make it, and then an ingenuous Angler may walk by the River and mark what fly falls on the water that day, and catch one of them, if he see the _Trouts_ leap at a fly of that kind, and having alwaies hooks ready hung with him, and having a bag also, alwaies with him with Bears hair, or the hair of a brown or sad coloured Heifer, hackels of a Cock or Capon, several coloured Silk and Crewel to make the body of the fly, the feathers of a Drakes head, black or brown sheeps wool, or Hogs wool, or hair, thred of Gold, and of silver; silk of several colours (especially sad coloured to make the head:) and there be also other colour'd feathers both of birds and of peckled fowl. I say, having those with him in a bag, and trying to make a flie, though he miss at first, yet shal he at last hit it better, even to a perfection which none can well teach him; and if he hit to make his flie right, and have the luck to hit also where there is store of _trouts_, and a right wind, he shall catch such store of them, as will encourage him to grow more and more in love with the Art of _flie-making_.

_Viat_. But my loving Master, if any wind will not serve, then I wish I were in _Lapland_, to buy a good wind of one of the honest witches, that sell so many winds, and so cheap.

_Pisc_. Marry Scholer, but I would not be there, nor indeed from under this tree; for look how it begins to rain, and by the clouds (if I mistake not) we shall presently have a smoaking showre; and therefore fit close, this _Sycamore tree_ will shelter us; and I will tell you, as they shall come into my mind, more observations of flie-fishing for a _Trout_.

But first, for the Winde; you are to take notice that of the windes the South winde is said to be best. One observes, That

_When the winde is south,
It blows your bait into a fishes mouth_.

Next to that, the _west_ winde is believed to be the best: and having told you that the _East_ winde is the worst, I need not tell you which winde is best in the third degree: And yet (as _Solomon_ observes, that _Hee that considers the winde shall never sow_:) so hee that busies his head too much about them, (if the weather be not made extreme cold by an East winde) shall be a little superstitious: for as it is observed by some, That there is no good horse of a bad colour; so I have observed, that if it be a clowdy day, and not extreme cold, let the winde sit in what corner it will, and do its worst. And yet take this for a Rule, that I would willingly fish on the Lee-shore: and you are to take notice, that the Fish lies, or swimms neerer the bottom in Winter then in Summer, and also neerer the bottom in any cold day.

But I promised to tell you more of the Flie-fishing for a _Trout_, (which I may have time enough to do, for you see it rains _May-utter_). First for a _May-flie_, you may make his body with greenish coloured crewel, or willow colour; darkning it in most places, with waxed silk, or rib'd with a black hare, or some of them rib'd with silver thred; and such wings for the colour as you see the flie to have at that season; nay at that very day on the water. Or you may make the _Oak-flie_ with an Orange-tawny and black ground, and the brown of a Mallards feather for the wings; and you are to know, that these two are most excellent _flies_, that is, the _May-flie_ and the _Oak-flie_: And let me again tell you, that you keep as far from the water as you can possibly, whether you fish with a flie or worm, and fish down the stream; and when you fish with a flie, if it be possible, let no part of your line touch the water, but your flie only; and be stil moving your fly upon the water, or casting it into the water; you your self, being also alwaies moving down the stream. Mr. _Barker_ commends severall sorts of the palmer flies, not only those rib'd with silver and gold, but others that have their bodies all made of black, or some with red, and a red hackel; you may also make the _hawthorn-flie_ which is all black and not big, but very smal, the smaller the better; or the _oak-fly_, the body of which is Orange colour and black crewel, with a brown wing, or a _fly_ made with a peacocks feather, is excellent in a bright day: you must be sure you want not in your _Magazin_ bag, the Peacocks feather, and grounds of such wool, and crewel as will make the Grasshopper: and note, that usually, the smallest flies are best; and note also, that, the light flie does usually make most sport in a dark day: and the darkest and least flie in a bright or cleare day; and lastly note, that you are to repaire upon any occasion to your _Magazin_ bag, and upon any occasion vary and make them according to your fancy.

And now I shall tell you, that the fishing with a naturall flie is excellent, and affords much pleasure; they may be found thus, the _May-fly_ usually in and about that month neer to the River side, especially against rain; the _Oak-fly_ on the Butt or body of an _Oak_ or _Ash_, from the beginning of _May_ to the end of _August_ it is a brownish fly, and easie to be so found, and stands usually with his head downward, that is to say, towards the root of the tree, the small black fly, or _hawthorn_ fly is to be had on any Hawthorn bush, after the leaves be come forth; with these and a short Line (as I shewed to Angle for a _Chub_) you may dap or dop, and also with a _Grashopper_, behind a tree, or in any deep hole, still making it to move on the top of the water, as if it were alive, and still keeping your self out of sight, you shall certainly have sport if there be _Trouts_; yea in a hot day, but especially in the evening of a hot day.

And now, Scholer, my direction for _fly-fishing_ is ended with this showre, for it has done raining, and now look about you, and see how pleasantly that Meadow looks, nay and the earth smels as sweetly too. Come let me tell you what holy Mr. _Herbert_ saies of such dayes and Flowers as these, and then we will thank God that we enjoy them, and walk to the River and sit down quietly and try to catch the other brace of _Trouts_.

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and skie,
Sweet dews shal weep thy fall to night,
for thou must die.

Sweet Rose, whose hew angry and brave
Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,
Thy root is ever in its grave,
and thou must die.

Sweet Spring, ful of sweet days & roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie;
My Musick shewes you have your closes,
and all must die.

Only a sweet and vertuous soul,
Like seasoned timber never gives,
But when the whole world turns to cole,
then chiefly lives.

_Viat_. I thank you, good Master, for your good direction for fly-fishing, and for the sweet enjoyment of the pleasant day, which is so far spent without offence to God or man. And I thank you for the sweet close of your discourse with Mr. _Herberts_ Verses, which I have heard, loved Angling; and I do the rather believe it, because he had a spirit sutable to Anglers, and to those Primitive Christians that you love, and have so much commended.

_Pisc_. Well, my loving Scholer, and I am pleased to know that you are so well pleased with my direction and discourse; and I hope you will be pleased too, if you find a _Trout_ at one of our Angles, which we left in the water to fish for it self; you shall chuse which shall be yours, and it is an even lay, one catches; And let me tell you, this kind of fishing, and laying Night-hooks, are like putting money to use, for they both work for the Owners, when they do nothing but sleep, or eat, or rejoice, as you know we have done this last hour, and fate as quietly and as free from cares under this _Sycamore_, as _Virgils Tityrus_ and his _Melibaeus_ did under their broad _Beech_ tree: No life, my honest Scholer, no life so happy and so pleasant as the Anglers, unless it be the Beggers life in Summer; for then only they take no care, but are as happy as we Anglers.

_Viat_. Indeed Master, and so they be, as is witnessed by the beggers Song, made long since by _Frank Davison_, a good Poet, who was not a Begger, though he were a good Poet.

_Pisc_. Can you sing it, Scholer?

_Viat_. Sit down a little, good Master, and I wil try.

_Bright shines the Sun, play beggers, play,
here's scraps enough to serve to day:
What noise of viols is so sweet
As when our merry clappers ring?
What mirth doth want when beggers meet?
A beggers life is for a King:
Eat, drink and play, sleep when we list,
Go where we will so stocks be mist.
Bright shines the Sun, play beggers, &c.

The world is ours and ours alone,
For we alone have world at will;
We purchase not, all is our own,
Both fields and streets we beggers fill:
Play beggers play, play beggers play,
here's scraps enough to serve to day.

A hundred herds of black and white
Upon our Gowns securely feed,
And yet if any dare us bite,
He dies therefore as sure as Creed:
Thus beggers Lord it as they please,
And only beggers live at ease:
Bright shines the Sun, play beggers play,
here's scraps enough to serve to day_.

_Pisc_. I thank you good Scholer, this Song was well humor'd by the maker, and well remembred and sung by you; and I pray forget not the Ketch which you promised to make against night, for our Country man honest _Coridon_ will expect your Ketch and my Song, which I must be forc'd to patch up, for it is so long since I learnt it, that I have forgot a part of it. But come, lets stretch our legs a little in a gentle walk to the River, and try what interest our Angles wil pay us for lending them so long to be used by the _Trouts_.

_Viat_. Oh me, look you Master, a fish, a fish.

_Pisc_. I marry Sir. that was a good fish indeed; if I had had the luck to have taken up that Rod, 'tis twenty to one he should not have broke my line by running to the Rods end, as you suffered him; I would have held him, unless he had been fellow to the great _Trout_ that is neer an ell long, which had his picture drawne, and now to be seen at mine Hoste _Rickabies_ at the _George_ in _Ware_; and it may be, by giving that _Trout_ the Rod, that is, by casting it to him into the water, I might have caught him at the long run, for so I use alwaies to do when I meet with an over-grown fish, and you will learn to do so hereafter; for I tell you, Scholer, fishing is an Art, or at least, it is an Art to catch fish.

_Viat_. But, Master, will this _Trout_ die, for it is like he has the hook in his belly?

_Pisc_. I wil tel you, Scholer, that unless the hook be fast in his very Gorge, he wil live, and a little time with the help of the water, wil rust the hook, & it wil in time wear away as the gravel does in the horse hoof, which only leaves a false quarter.

And now Scholer, lets go to my Rod. Look you Scholer, I have a fish too, but it proves a logger-headed _Chub_; and this is not much a miss, for this wil pleasure some poor body, as we go to our lodging to meet our brother _Peter_ and honest _Coridon_--Come, now bait your hook again, and lay it into the water, for it rains again, and we wil ev'n retire to the _Sycamore_ tree, and there I wil give you more directions concerning fishing; for I would fain make you an Artist.

_Viat_. Yes, good Master, I pray let it be so.

CHAP. V.

_Pisc_. Wel, Scholer, now we are sate downe and are at ease, I shall tel you a little more of _Trout_ fishing before I speak of the _Salmon_ (which I purpose shall be next) and then of the _Pike_ or _Luce_. You are to know, there is night as well as day-fishing for a _Trout_, and that then the best are out of their holds; and the manner of taking them is on the top of the water with a great _Lob_ or _Garden worm_, or rather two; which you are to fish for in a place where the water runs somewhat quietly (for in a stream it wil not be so well discerned.) I say, in a quiet or dead place neer to some swift, there draw your bait over the top of the water to and fro, and if there be a good _Trout_ in the hole, he wil take it, especially if the night be dark; for then he lies boldly neer the top of the water, watching the motion of any _Frog_ or _Water-mouse_, or _Rat_ betwixt him and the skie, which he hunts for if he sees the water but wrinkle or move in one of these dead holes, where the great _Trouts_ usually lye neer to their hold.

And you must fish for him with a strong line, and not a little hook, and let him have time to gorge your hook, for he does not usually forsake it, as he oft will in the day-fishing: and if the night be not dark, then fish so with an _Artificial fly_ of a light colour; nay he will sometimes rise at a dead Mouse or a piece of cloth, or any thing that seemes to swim cross the water, or to be in motion: this is a choice way, but I have not oft used it because it is void of the pleasures that such dayes as these that we now injoy, afford an _Angler_.

And you are to know, that in _Hamp-shire_, (which I think exceeds all _England_ for pleasant Brooks, and store of _Trouts_) they use to catch _Trouts_ in the night by the light of a Torch or straw, which when they have discovered, they strike with a _Trout_ spear; this kind of way they catch many, but I would not believe it till I was an eye-witness of it, nor like it now I have seen it.

_Viat_. But Master, do not _Trouts_ see us in the night?

_Pisc_. Yes, and hear, and smel too, both then and in the day time, for _Gesner_ observes, the _Otter_ smels a fish forty furlong off him in the water; and that it may be true, is affirmed by Sir _Francis Bacon_ (in the eighth Century of his Natural History) who there proves, that waters may be the _Medium_ of sounds, by demonstrating it thus, _That if you knock two stones together very deep under the water, those that stand on a bank neer to that place may hear the noise without any diminution of it by the water_. He also offers the like experiment concerning the letting an _Anchor_ fall by a very long Cable or rope on a Rock, or the sand within the Sea: and this being so wel observed and demonstrated, as it is by that learned man, has made me to believe that _Eeles_ unbed themselves, and stir at the noise of the Thunder, and not only as some think, by the motion or the stirring of the earth, which is occasioned by that Thunder.

And this reason of Sir _Francis Bacons_ [Exper. 792] has made me crave pardon of one that I laught at, for affirming that he knew _Carps_ come to a certain place in a Pond to be fed at the ringing of a Bel; and it shall be a rule for me to make as little noise as I can when I am a fishing, until Sir _Francis Bacon_ be confuted, which I shal give any man leave to do, and so leave off this Philosophical discourse for a discourse of fishing.

Of which my next shall be to tell you, it is certain, that certain fields neer _Lemster_, a Town in _Herefordshire_, are observed, that they make the Sheep that graze upon them more fat then the next, and also to bear finer Wool; that is to say, that that year in which they feed in such a particular pasture, they shall yeeld finer wool then the yeer before they came to feed in it, and courser again if they shall return to their former pasture, and again return to a finer wool being fed in the fine wool ground. Which I tell you, that you may the better believe that I am certain, If I catch a _Trout_ in one Meadow, he shall be white and _faint_ and very like to be _lowsie_; and as certainly if I catch a _Trout_ in the next Meadow, he shal be strong, and _red_, and _lusty_, and much better meat: Trust me (Scholer) I have caught many a _Trout_ in a particular Meadow, that the very shape and inamelled colour of him, has joyed me to look upon him, and I have with _Solomon_ concluded, _Every thing is beautifull in his season_.

It is now time to tell you next, (according to promise) some observations of the _Salmon_; But first, I wil tel you there is a fish, called by some an _Umber_, and by some a _Greyling_, a choice fish, esteemed by many to be equally good with the _Trout_: it is a fish that is usually about eighteen inches long, he lives in such streams as the _Trout_ does; and is indeed taken with the same bait as a _Trout_ is, for he will bite both at the _Minnow_, the _Worm_, and the _Fly_, both _Natural_ and _Artificial_: of this fish there be many in _Trent_, and in the River that runs by _Salisbury_, and in some other lesser Brooks; but he is not so general a fish as the _Trout_, nor to me either so good to eat, or so pleasant to fish for as the _Trout_ is; of which two fishes I will now take my leave, and come to my promised Observations of the _Salmon_, and a little advice for the catching him.

CHAP. VI.

The _Salmon_ is ever bred in the fresh Rivers (and in most Rivers about the month of _August_) and never grows big but in the Sea; and there to an incredible bigness in a very short time; to which place they covet to swim, by the instinct of nature, about a set time: but if they be stopp'd by _Mills, Floud-gates_ or _Weirs_, or be by accident lost in the fresh water, when the others go (which is usually by flocks or sholes) then they thrive not.

And the old _Salmon_, both the _Melter_ and _Spawner_, strive also to get into the _Sea_ before Winter; but being stopt that course, or lost; grow sick in fresh waters, and by degrees unseasonable, and kipper, that is, to have a bony gristle, to grow (not unlike a _Hauks_ beak) on one of his chaps, which hinders him from feeding, and then he pines and dies.

But if he gets to _Sea_, then that gristle wears away, or is cast off (as the _Eagle_ is said to cast his bill) and he recovers his strength, and comes next Summer to the same River, (if it be possible) to enjoy the former pleasures that there possest him; for (as one has wittily observed) he has (like some persons of Honour and Riches, which have both their winter and Summer houses) the fresh Rivers for Summer, and the salt water for winter to spend his life in; which is not (as Sir _Francis Bacon_ hath observed) [in his History of Life and Death] above ten years: And it is to be observed, that though they grow big in the _Sea_, yet they grow not fat but in fresh Rivers; and it is observed, that the farther they get from the _Sea_, the better they be.

And it is observed, that, to the end they may get far from the _Sea_, either to Spawne or to possess the pleasure that they then and there find, they will force themselves over the tops of _Weirs_, or _Hedges_, or _stops_ in the water, by taking their tails into their mouthes, and leaping over those places, even to a height beyond common belief: and sometimes by forcing themselves against the streame through Sluces and Floud-gates, beyond common credit. And 'tis observed by _Gesner_, that there is none bigger then in _England_, nor none better then in Thames.

And for the _Salmons_ sudden growth, it has been observed by tying a Ribon in the tail of some number of the young _Salmons_, which have been taken in _Weires_, as they swimm'd towards the salt water, and then by taking a part of them again with the same mark, at the same place, at their returne from the Sea, which is usually about six months after; and the like experiment hath been tried upon young _Swallows_, who have after six months absence, been observed to return to the same chimney, there to make their nests, and their habitations for the Summer following; which hath inclined many to think, that every _Salmon_ usually returns to the same River in which it was bred, as young _Pigeons_ taken out of the same Dove-cote, have also been observed to do.

And you are yet to observe further, that the He _Salmon_ is usually bigger then the Spawner, and that he is more kipper, & less able to endure a winter in the fresh water, then the She is; yet she is at that time of looking less kipper and better, as watry and as bad meat.

And yet you are to observe, that as there is no general rule without an exception, so there is some few Rivers in this Nation that have _Trouts_ and _Salmon_ in season in winter. But for the observations of that and many other things, I must in manners omit, because they wil prove too large for our narrow compass of time, and therefore I shall next fall upon my direction how to fish for the _Salmon_.

And for that, first, you shall observe, that usually he staies not long in a place (as _Trouts_ wil) but (as I said) covets still to go neerer the Spring head; and that he does not (as the _Trout_ and many other fish) lie neer the water side or bank, or roots of trees, but swims usually in the middle, and neer the ground; and that there you are to fish for him; and that he is to be caught as the _Trout_ is, with a _Worm_, a _Minnow_, (which some call a _Penke_) or with a _Fly_.

And you are to observe, that he is very, very seldom observed to bite at a _Minnow_ (yet sometime he will) and not oft at a _fly_, but more usually at a _Worm_, and then most usually at a _Lob_ or _Garden worm_, which should be wel scowred, that is to say, seven or eight dayes in Moss before you fish with them; and if you double your time of eight into sixteen, or more, into twenty or more days, it is still the better, for the worms will stil be clearer, tougher, and more lively, and continue so longer upon your hook.

And now I shall tell you, that which may be called a secret: I have been a fishing with old _Oliver Henly_ (now with God) a noted Fisher, both for _Trout_ and _Salmon_, and have observed that he would usually take three or four worms out of his bag and put them into a little box in his pocket, where he would usually let them continue half an hour or more, before he would bait his hook with them; I have ask'd him his reason, and he has replied, _He did but pick the best out to be in a readiness against he baited his hook the next time_: But he has been observed both by others, and my self, to catch more fish then I or any other body, that has ever gone a fishing with him, could do, especially _Salmons_; and I have been told lately by one of his most intimate and secret friends, that the box in which he put those worms was anointed with a drop, or two, or three of the Oil of _Ivy-berries_, made by expression or infusion, and that by the wormes remaining in that box an hour, or a like time, they had incorporated a kind of smel that was irresistibly attractive, enough to force any fish, within the smel of them, to bite. This I heard not long since from a friend, but have not tryed it; yet I grant it probable, and refer my Reader to Sir _Francis Bacons_ Natural History, where he proves fishes may hear; and I am certain _Gesner_ sayes, the _Otter_ can smell in the water, and know not that but fish may do so too: 'tis left for a lover of Angling, or any that desires to improve that Art, to try this conclusion.

I shall also impart another experiment (but not tryed by my selfe) which I wil deliver in the same words as it was by a friend, given me in writing.

_Take the stinking oil drawn out of_ Poly pody _of the_ Oak, _by a retort mixt with_ Turpentine, _and Hive-honey, and annoint your bait therewith, and it will doubtlesse draw the fish to it_.

But in these things I have no great faith, yet grant it probable, and have had from some chemical men (namely, from Sir _George Hastings_ and others) an affirmation of them to be very advantageous: but no more of these, especially not in this place.

I might here, before I take my leave of the _Salmon_, tell you, that there is more then one sort of them, as namely, a _Tecon_, and another called in some places a _Samlet_, or by some, a _Skegger_: but these (and others which I forbear to name) may be fish of another kind, and differ, as we know a _Herring_ and a _Pilcher_ do; but must by me be left to the disquisitions of men of more leisure and of greater abilities, then I profess myself to have.

And lastly, I am to borrow so much of your promised patience, as to tell you, that the _Trout_ or _Salmon_, being in season, have at their first taking out of the water (which continues during life) their bodies adorned, the one with such red spots, and the other with black or blackish spots, which gives them such an addition of natural beautie, as I (that yet am no enemy to it) think was never given to any woman by the Artificial Paint or Patches in which they so much pride themselves in this age. And so I shall leave them and proceed to some Observations of the _Pike_.

CHAP. VII.

_Pisc_. It is not to be doubted but that the _Luce_, or _Pikrell_, or _Pike_ breeds by Spawning; and yet _Gesner_ sayes, that some of them breed, where none ever was, out of a weed called _Pikrell-weed_, and other glutinous matter, which with the help of the Suns heat proves in some particular ponds (apted by nature for it) to become _Pikes_.

Sir _Francis Bacon_ [in his History of Life and Death] observes the _Pike_ to be the longest lived of any fresh water fish, and yet that his life is not usually above fortie years; and yet _Gesner_ mentions a _Pike_ taken in _Swedeland_ in the year 1449, with a Ring about his neck, declaring he was put into the Pond by _Frederick_ the second, more then two hundred years before he was last taken, as the Inscription of that Ring, being Greek, was interpreted by the then Bishop of _Worms_. But of this no more, but that it is observed that the old or very great _Pikes_ have in them more of state then goodness; the smaller or middle siz'd _Pikes_ being by the most and choicest palates observed to be the best meat; but contrary, the _Eele_ is observed to be the better for age and bigness.

All _Pikes_ that live long prove chargeable to their keepers, because their life is maintained by the death of so many other fish, even those of his owne kind, which has made him by some Writers to bee called the Tyrant of the Rivers, or the Fresh water-wolf, by reason of his bold, greedy, devouring disposition; which is so keen, as _Gesner_ relates, a man going to a Pond (where it seems a _Pike_ had devoured all the fish) to water his Mule, had a _Pike_ bit his Mule by the lips, to which the _Pike_ hung so fast, that the Mule drew him out of the water, and by that accident the owner of the Mule got the _Pike_; I tell you who relates it, and shall with it tel you what a wise man has observed, _it is a hard thing to perswade the belly, because it hath no ears_.

But if this relation of _Gesners_ bee dis-believed, it is too evident to bee doubted that a _Pike_ will devoure a fish of his own kind, that shall be bigger then this belly or throat will receive; and swallow a part of him, and let the other part remaine in his mouth till the swallowed part be digested, and then swallow that other part that was in his mouth, and so put it over by degrees. And it is observed, that the _Pike_ will eat venemous things (as some kind of _Frogs_ are) and yet live without being harmed by them: for, as some say, he has in him a natural Balsome or Antidote against all Poison: and others, that he never eats a venemous _Frog_ till he hath first killed her, and then (as _Ducks_ are observed to do to _Frogs_ in Spawning time, at which time some _Frogs_ are observed to be venemous) so throughly washt her, by tumbling her up and down in the water, that he may devour her without danger. And _Gesner_ affirms, that a _Polonian_ Gentleman did faithfully assure him, he had seen two young Geese at one time in the belly of a _Pike_: and hee observes, that in _Spain_ there is no _Pikes_, and that the biggest are in the _Lake Thracimane_ in _Italy_, and the next, if not equal to them, are the _Pikes_ of _England_.

The _Pike_ is also observed to be a melancholly, and a bold fish: Melancholly, because he alwaies swims or rests himselfe alone, and never swims in sholes, or with company, as _Roach_, and _Dace_, and most other fish do: And bold, because he fears not a shadow, or to see or be seen of any body, as the _Trout_ and _Chub_, and all other fish do.

And it is observed by _Gesner_, that the bones, and hearts, & gals of _Pikes_ are very medicinable for several Diseases, as to stop bloud, to abate Fevers, to cure Agues, to oppose or expel the infection of the Plague, and to be many wayes medicinable and useful for the good of mankind; but that the biting of a _Pike_ is venemous and hard to be cured.

And it is observed, that the _Pike_ is a fish that breeds but once a year, and that other fish (as namely _Loaches_) do breed oftner; as we are certaine Pigeons do almost every month, and yet the Hawk, a bird of prey (as the _Pike_ is of fish) breeds but once in twelve months: and you are to note, that his time of breeding or Spawning is usually about the end of _February_; or somewhat later, in _March_, as the weather proves colder or warmer: and to note, that his manner of breeding is thus, a He and a She _Pike_ will usually go together out of a River into some ditch or creek, and that there the Spawner casts her eggs, and the Melter hovers over her all that time that she is casting her Spawn, but touches her not. I might say more of this, but it might be thought curiosity or worse, and shall therefore forbear it, and take up so much of your attention as to tell you that the best of _Pikes_ are noted to be in Rivers, then those in great Ponds or Meres, and the worst in smal Ponds.

And now I shall proceed to give you some directions how to catch this _Pike_, which you have with so much patience heard me talk of.

His feeding is usually _fish_ or _frogs_, and sometime a weed of his owne, called _Pikrel-weed_, of which I told you some think some _Pikes_ are bred; for they have observed, that where no _Pikes_ have been put into a Pond, yet that there they have been found, and that there has been plenty of that weed in that Pond, and that that weed both breeds and feeds them; but whether those _Pikes_ so bred will ever breed by generation as the others do, I shall leave to the disquisitions of men of more curiosity and leisure then I profess my self to have; and shall proceed to tell you, that you may fish for a _Pike_, either with a ledger, or a walking-bait; and you are to note, that I call that a ledger which is fix'd, or made to rest in one certaine place when you shall be absent; and that I call that a walking bait, which you take with you, and have ever in motion. Concerning which two, I shall give you this direction, That your ledger bait is best to be a living bait, whether it be a fish or a Frog; and that you may make them live the longer, you may, or indeed you must take this course:

First, for your live bait of fish, a _Roch_ or _Dace_ is (I think) best and most tempting, and a _Pearch_ the longest liv'd on a hook; you must take your knife, (which cannot be too sharp) and betwixt the head and the fin on his back, cut or make an insition, or such a scar as you may put the arming wyer of your hook into it, with as little bruising or hurting the fish as Art and diligence will enable you to do, and so carrying your arming wyer along his back, unto, or neer the tail of your fish, betwixt the skin and the body of it, draw out that wyer or arming of your hook at another scar neer to his tail; then tye him about it with thred, but no harder then of necessitie you must to prevent hurting the fish; and the better to avoid hurting the fish, some have a kind of probe to open the way, for the more easie entrance and passage of your wyer or arming: but as for these, time and a little experience will teach you better then I can by words; for of this I will for the present say no more, but come next to give you some directions how to bait your hook with a Frog.

_Viat_. But, good Master, did not you say even now, that some _Frogs_ were venemous, and is it not dangerous to touch them?

_Pisc_. Yes, but I wil give you some Rules or Cautions concerning them: And first, you are to note, there is two kinds of _Frogs_; that is to say, (if I may so express my self) a _flesh_ and _a fish-frog_: by flesh _frogs_, I mean, _frogs_ that breed and live on the land; and of these there be several sorts and colours, some being peckled, some greenish, some blackish, or brown: the green _Frog_, which is a smal one, is by _Topsell_ taken to be venemous; and so is the _Padock_, or _Frog-Padock_, which usually keeps or breeds on the land, and is very large and bony, and big, especially the She _frog_ of that kind; yet these wil sometime come into the water, but it is not often; and the land _frogs_ are some of them observed by him, to breed by laying eggs, and others to breed of the slime and dust of the earth, and that in winter they turn to slime again, and that the next Summer that very slime returns to be a living creature; this is the opinion of _Pliny_: and [in his 16th Book De subtil. ex.] _Cardanus_ undertakes to give reason for the raining of _Frogs_; but if it were in my power, it should rain none but water _Frogs_, for those I think are not venemous, especially the right water _Frog_, which about _February_ or _March_ breeds in ditches by slime and blackish eggs in that slime, about which time of breeding the He and She _frog_ are observed to use divers simber salts, and to croke and make a noise, which the land _frog_, or _Padock frog_ never does. Now of these water _Frogs_, you are to chuse the yellowest that you can get, for that the _Pike_ ever likes best. And thus use your _Frog_, that he may continue long alive:

Put your hook into his mouth, which you may easily do from about the middle of _April_ till _August_, and then the _Frogs_ mouth grows up and he continues so for at least six months without eating, but is sustained, none, but he whose name is Wonderful, knows how. I say, put your hook, I mean the arming wire, through his mouth and out at his gills, and then with a fine needle and Silk sow the upper part of his leg with only one stitch to the armed wire of your hook, or tie the _frogs_ leg above the upper joint to the armed wire, and in so doing use him as though you loved him, that is, harme him as little as you may possibly, that he may live the longer.