The complete angler : or The contemplative man's recreation by Walton Izaak 1593-1683 & Cotton Charles 1630-1687 & Major John 1782-1849

Author:Walton, Izaak, 1593-1683 & Cotton, Charles, 1630-1687 & Major, John, 1782-1849
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fishing
Publisher: New York : Burt
Published: 1800-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

affords an Angler choice sport, being a lusty and a cunning fish; so lusty and cunning as to endanger the breaking of the Angler's

line, by running his head forcibly towards any covert, or hole, or bank; and then striking at the line, to break it off with his tail, as is observed by Plutarch, in his book *^De Industria Animalium '' ; and also so cunning to nibble and suck off your worm close to the hook, and yet avoid the letting the hook come into his mouth.

The Barbel is also curious for his baits, that is to say, that they be clean and sweet; that is to say, to have your worms well scoured, and not kept in sour and musty moss, for he is a curious feeder: but at a well-scoured Lob-worm he will bite as boldly as at any bait, and specially if, the night or two before you fish for him, you shall bait the places where you intend to fish for him with big worms cut into pieces : and note, that none did ever over-bait the place, nor fish too early or too late for a Barbel. And the Barbel will bite also at gentles, which not being too much scoured, but green, are a choice bait for him; and so is cheese, which is not to be too hard, but kept a day or two in a wet linen cloth to make it tough: with this you may also bait the water a day or two before you fish for the Barbel, and be much the Hkelier to catch store: and if the cheese were laid in clarified honey a short time before, as namely, an hour or two, you were still the Hkelier to catch fish. Some have directed to cut the cheese into thin pieces, and toast it, and then tie it on the hook with fine silk: and some advise to fish for the Barbel with sheep's tallow and soft cheese beaten or worked into a paste, and that it is choicely good in August, and I believe it: but doubtless the Lob-worm well scoured, and the gentle not too much scoured, and cheese ordered as I have directed, are baits enough, and I think will serve in any month; though I shall commend any Angler that tries conclusions, and is industrious to improve the art. And now, my honest Scholar, the long shower and my tedious discourse are both ended together : and I shall give you but this observation, that when you fish for a Barbel your rod and line be both long, and of good strength; for, as I told you, you will find him a heavy and a

dogged fish to be dealt withal, yet he seldom or never breaks his hold if he be once strucken. And if you would know more of fishing for the Umber or Barbel, get into favor with Doctor Sheldon, whose skill is above others; and of that the poor that dwell about him have a comfortable experience.

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