that are long, small, strait, and pliable, the upper part apt to play to
and fro; being besmeared with _Bird-lime_ warm. Thus to be used,
Observe the Haunts of the Fowl, have a Stale, (a living Fowl of the same
kind you would take) and cross pricking your Rods, one into, and
another against the Wind sloping, a foot distant one from the other; pin
down your Stale, some distance from them, tying some small string to
him, to pull and make him flutter to allure the Fowl down. If any be
caught, do not run presently upon them, their fluttering will encrease
your Game. A well taught _Spaniel_ is not amiss to retake those that are
entangled, and yet flutter away. Thus likewise for the Water; consult
the Rivers depth, and let your Rods be proportionable; what is Lim'd of
them being above the Water, and a _Mallard_, &c. as a Stale placed here
and there, as aforesaid. You need not wait on them, but three times a
day visit them, and see your Game; if you miss any Rods (therefore know
their Number) some Fowl entangled is got away with it, into some Hole,
_&c._ and here your _Spaniel_ will be serviceable to find him.
For _Small-birds_, a _Lime-bush_ is best; thus, Cut down a great Bough
of a _Birch_, or _Willow-tree_, trim it clean, and Lime it handsomely,
within four Fingers of the bottom: Place this Bush so ordered, in some
quick-set, or dead _Hedge_, in Spring time: In Harvest, or Summer, in
_Groves_, _Bushes_, _Hedges_, _Fruit-trees_, _Flax_, and _Hemp_-Lands:
In Winter, about _Houses_, _Hovells_, _Barns_, _Stacks_, &c. A _Bird-call_
is here also necessary, or your own industrious skill in the Notes of
several Birds.
And because Gentlemen who have Fish-ponds, wonder they lose so many
Fish, and are apt to Censure sometimes undeservedly their Neighbours,
when it is the insatiable _Hern_, that is the true cause: I shall next
lay down the best and most approved way of taking the great
Fish-devouring _Hern_, whose Haunt having found, observe this Method to
take him. Get three or four small _Roaches_, or _Dace_, take a strong
Hook, (not too rank) with Wyre to it, and draw the Wyre just within the
skin, from the side of the Gills, to the Tail of the said Fish, and he
will live four or five days, (If dead the _Hern_ will not touch it.)
Then have a strong Line, of a dark Green-silk, twisted with Wyre, about
three Yards long, tie a round stone of a pound to it, and lay three or
four such hooks, but not too deep in the Water, out of the _Herns_
wading; and two or three Nights will answer your Expectation.
_The several wayes of taking_ Pheasants.
You must learn and understand the several Notes of a Natural
_Pheasant-Call_, and how usefully to apply them. In the Morning just
before or at _Sun-rising_, call them to feed, and so at _Sun-setting_:
In the Fornoon, and Afternoon, your Note must be to Cluck them together
to Brood, or to chide them for straggling, or to notify some danger at
hand.
Thus skilled in their Notes; and by the Darkness, Solitaryness, and
strong undergrowth of the place assured of their Haunts, closely lodge
yourself, and softly at first call; lest being near you, a loud Note
affright them; and no Reply made, raise your Note gradually, to the
highest; and if there be a _Pheasant_ in hearing, he will answer you, in
as loud a Note. Be sure it be Tunable. As soon as you are answered,
creep nearer to it; if far off, and a single Fowl, as you call, and
approach, so will the _Pheasant_. Having gotten sight of her, on the
Ground, or Perch, cease calling, and with all silence possible, spread
your Net conveniently, between the _Pheasant_, and you, one end of the
Net fastned to the Ground, and the other end, hold by a long Line in
your hand, by which you may pull it together, if strained; then call
again, and as you see the _Pheasant_ come under your Net, rise and shew
your self, and affrighting her, she will mount, and so is taken. Thus if
on the contrary you have divers Answers, from several _Corners_, of the
_Coppice_, and you keep your place and not stir, they will come to your
Call; and then having a pair of Nets, spread one on each side, and do as
before. Your Nets, must be made of Green or Black double-twin'd Thread,
the Mesh about an inch square, between Knot, and Knot, the whole Net
about three Fathom long, and Seven foot broad, verged with strong small
Cord on each side and ends, to lye hollow and compass-wise.
The next way of taking _Pheasant-Powts_, is by Driving, thus. Having
found the Haunt of an _Eye of Pheasants_, known by the _Barrenness_ of
the Place, _Mutings_ and loose Feathers, then in the little Pads and
Wayes, like Sheep tracks, they have made, place your Nets (taking the
Wind with you) a-cross these Paths hollow, loose and circularly, the
nether part fixt to the Ground, and the upper side hollow, _&c._ as
aforesaid: Then to their Haunt, and there call them together, if
feattered; then with a Driver, an Instrument like that of
_Cloath-dressers_, rake gently the Bushes and Boughs about you, the
_Powts_ will run, and stop and listen; then give another rake, and so
you will drive them like sheep into your Nets: Observe in this
_Secrecy_, _Time_ and _Leisure_, or you spoil your Sport; _Secrecy_ in
concealing your self from being seen by them; and _Time_ and _Leisure_,
by not being too hasty.
Lastly for taking _Pheasants_ with the _Lime-Bush_, or Rods, order
these, as I have before prescribed; your Rods about twelve inches long,
and your Bush containing not above eight Twigs, with a pretty long
Handle, sharpned to stick in the Ground, or Bushes, Shrubs, _&c._ and
let it be planted as near the _Pheasants pearching Branch_, as may be.
Place your Rods on the Ground, near the Bush; for when some are taken
below by they Rods, they will scare up the others to get on the Bushes
to seek what's become of their Fellows, and there become your Prey
themselves.
_For taking Partridge._
You must first find the _Partridges_ Haunt. Which is mostly in standing
Corn-Fields, where they breed; as likewise in Stubble after the Corn is
cut, especially Wheat-stubble till it is trodden, and then they repair
to Barley-stubble, if fresh; and the Furrows amongst the Clots, Brambles
and long Grass, are sometimes their lurking places, for Twenty and
upward in a Covy. In the Winter in up-land Meadows, in the dead Grass or
Fog under Hedges, among Mole-hills; or under the Roots of Trees, &c.
Various and uncertain are their Haunts. And tho' some by the Eye, by
distinguishing their Colour from the Ground, others by the Ear, by
hearing the Cock call earnestly the Hen, and the Hens answering, and
chattering with Joy at meeting, do find _Partridge_; yet the best,
easiest and safest way of finding them is (as you do the _Pheasant_) by
the Call or Pipe: Notes seasonable, as before prescribed, and they will
come near to you, and you may count their Numbers; and to your sport.
Surround your Covy, prepare your Nets, and pricking a stick fast in the
ground, tye the one end to it, and let your Nets fall as you walk
briskly round without stopping, and cover the _Partridge_; then rush in
upon them to frighten them, and as they rise they are taken.
For taking them with _Bird-Lime_, thus: Call first near the _Haunt_; if
answered, stick about your _Lime-straws_, a-cross in ranks at some
distance from you; then call again, and as they approach you, they are
intercepted by the Straws; and so your Prey. This way is used most
successfully in Stubble-fields, from _August_ to _September_: And Rods
in Woods, Pastures, _&c._ as for the _Pheasant_.
The most pleasant way of taking Partridge is with a _Setting-Dog_, who
having set them, use your Net; and by these Rules and Method, the
_Rails_, _Quales_, _Moorpoots_, &c. are to be taken; and are for _Hawks_
flight too. And here I must make an end of the most material part of
_Fowling_.
_Of FISHING._
It has been the Method of this whole Treatise, to divide the several
distinct Heads of each Recreation into three Parts, to render the
Observations and Rules the more plain and easy, for the prosecuting the
Recreation we treat of.
1. _What_ it is we pursue.
2. _Where_ and _When_ to find that we would delight our selves in.
3. _With what_ proper _Mediums_ or Measures we may obtain the desired
Effects of our endeavours therein.
First then, _What_ we pursue is Fish, distinguish'd according to their
sundry kinds by these following Names.
The _Barbel_, _Bream_, _Bleak_, _Bulhead_, or _Millers-thumb_; _Chevin_,
_Char_, _Chub_, _Carp_; _Dace_; _Dare_; _Ele_; _Flounder_; _Grayling_,
_Gudgeon_, _Guiniad_; _Loach_; _Minnow_; _Pope_ or _Pike_, _Pearch_;
_Rud_, _Roach_; _Sticklebag_ or _Bansticle_, _Salmon_, _Shad_, _Suant_;
_Tench_, _Torcoth_, _Trout_, _Thwait_, and _Umber_. All these
Alphabetically thus named are the different sorts of Fish, in taking
which the Angler commonly exercises his Art. We come next, _Where_ to
find them.
1. To know the Haunts and Resorts of Fish, in which they are to be
usually found, is the most Material thing the Angler ought to be
instructed in, lest he vainly prepare _how to take_ them, and
preposterously seek _where to find_ that he prepar'd for. To prevent
which you are first to understand, That as the season of the Year is, so
Fish change their places: In _Summer_, some keep near the top, others
the bottom of the Waters. In _Winter_, all Fish in general resort to
deep Waters. But more particularly,
The _Barbel_, _Roach_, _Dace_, and _Ruff_, covet most _Sandy, Gravelly
Ground_, the deepest part of the River, and the shadows of _Trees_.
_Bream_, _Pike_, and _Chub_ delight in a _Clay_, and _Owzie Ground_: The
_Bream_ chooseth the middle of the River, in a gentle, not too rapid
Stream: The _Pike_ preferreth still Waters, full of _Fry_, and
absconding himself amongst _Bull-rushes_, _Water-docks_, or under
_Bushes_, that under these shelters he may more securely surprize and
seize his Prey: The _Chub_ too chooses the same Ground, large Rivers and
Streams, and is rarely destitute of some Tree to cover and shade him.
_Carp_, _Tench_ and _Eel_, frequent foul muddy still Waters. The
greatest _Eels_ lurk under stones, or Roots; the smallest ones are found
in all sorts of Rivers or Soils: The _Carp_ is for the deepest stillest
part of Pond or River, and so is the _Tench_, and both delight in green
Weeds.
_Pearch_ delighteth in gentle Streams of a reasonable Depth, not too
shallow; close by a hollow Bank is their common Sanctuary.
_Gudgeon_ covets Sandy, Gravelly, Gentle Streams, and smaller Rivers;
not so much abounding in Brooks. He bites best in Spring, till they
spawn, and a little after till _Wasp_ time.
The _Salmon_ delights in large swift Rivers, which ebb and flow; and are
there plentifully to be found: As likewise Rocky and Weedy Rivers. But
in the latter end of the Year he is to be found high up in the Country,
in swift and violent Cataracts, coming thither to spawn.
The _Trout_ loves small swift purling Brooks or Rivers, that run upon
Stones or Gravel, and in the swiftest deepest part of them, getteth
behind some Stone-block and there feeds. He delights in a Point of a
River where the Water comes Whirling like the Eddy, to catch what the
Stream brings down, especially if he has the shade of a Tree: He hugely
delights to lurk under some hollow Bank or Stone; seldom among Weeds.
_Shad_, _Thwait_, _Plaice_, _Peel_, _Mullet_, _Suant_, and _Flownder_,
covet chiefly to be in or near the Salt or Brackish Waters, which ebb
and flow: The last, _viz._ the _Flownder_, have been taken in fresh
Rivers, as coveting Sand and Gravel, deep gentle streams, near Banks,
_&c._
Lastly the _Umber_ affects Marly Clay Ground, clear and swift Streams,
far from the Sea; the greatest Plenty of these Fish is found in
_Darbyshire_ and _Staffordshire_.
Thus much for the Haunts of Fish; I come next to know _When_ is the most
_seasonable time_ to catch them; which before I speak to, let him that
would become a compleat Angler, take this Rule. That he observe narrowly
what Pond or River soever he Fisheth in, whether it be slimy, muddy,
stony or gravelly, whether of a swift or slow Motion; as likewise that
he know the Nature of each Fish, and what Baits are most proper for
every kind: Not to let his Knowledge be circumscribed to one or two
particular Rivers, whither he is invited to Angle and take his
Observations by the Vicinity of his House; but to let his Knowledge be
_general_, and consequently his Sport will be so too. His Ignorance
otherwise will oblige him to be a Spectator in another River, when his
Excellency is confined to that only experienced one in or near his own
Parish or House. But to proceed,
II. To understand the best _Time when_ to Angle in, We must first
consider Affirmatively, when most _Seasonable_: Or, 2. Negatively, when
_Unseasonable_.
1. _Seasonable_ Angling is, when the Weather is calm, serene and clear;
tho' the Cool cloudy Weather in Summer is to be preferred, provided the
Wind blow not too boistrously, to hinder your easy Guiding your Tools;
In the hottest Months the cooler the better.
2. When a Violent shower hath disturbed the Water and mudded it, then
with a Red Worm, Angle in the Stream at the Ground.
3. A little before Fish spawn, when they repair to gravelly Fords to rub
and loosen their full Bellies; they bite freely.
4. From Sun-rising till eight of the Clock in the Morning, and from four
in the Afternoon till night for _Carp_ and _Tench_. In _June_ and
_July_, _Carps_ shew themselves on the very rim of the Water, then Fish
with a Lob-worm, as you would with a Natural Fly. But be sure to keep
out of sight.
5. In _March_, _April_, and _September_, and all Winter, when the Air is
clear, serene and warm. And after a shower of Rain, which hath only
beaten the _Gnats_, and _Flies_ into the River, without muddying. The
two first mentioned Months with _May_, and part of _June_, are most
proper for the _Fly_; Nine in the Morning, and Three a Clock in the
Afternoon, is the best time; as likewise, when the _Gnats_ play much in
a warm Evening.
6. In a _Cloudy_, and _Windy_ day, after a Moonshine clear Night, for
the brightness of the Night (through fear) making them abstain from
feeding, and the Gloominess of the Day emboldening and rendering them
(through Hunger) sharp, and eager upon food, they bite then freely.
7. Lastly, at the opening of _Milldams_ or _Sluces_, you will find
_Trouts_, &c. come forth seeking food, brought down by the Water. We
come next to demonstrate the time not proper, _i.e._
2. _Unseasonable_ Angling, in short is, when the Earth is parched, and
scorched with Vehement Heat, and Drought; benummed and frozen with
Cold, Frost, and Snow; or refrigerated with Spring Hoar-Frosts; or
blasted with the sharp, bitter, nipping, North, or East Winds: Or when
blustring _Boreas_ disorders your well guiding your Tackling; or the
_Sheep-shearers Washings_ glutted the Fish, and anticipated your Bait;
when the withdrawing of your Sport, foretells a Storm, and advises you
to some shelter; or Lastly, when the night proves Dark, and Cloudy, you
need not trouble your self the next day, 'tis to no purpose, _&c._
III. For providing _Stocks_, the best time is the Winter _Solstice_,
when the Sap is in the Roots of Trees, and their Leaves gone. It is
improper after _January_, the Sap then ascending into the Trunk, and
expending it self over all the Branches. See that your Stocks be
_Taper-grown_, and your Tops of the best _Ground-Hazle_, that can be
had, smooth, slender, and strait, of an Ell long, pliant and bendings
and yet of a strength, that a reasonable jerk cannot break it, but it
will return to its first straightness; left otherwise you endanger your
Line. Keep them two full years, before you use them; having preserved
them from Worm-eating, or Rotting, by thrice a year rubbing, and
chaffing them well with Butter (if sweet) or Linsed or Sallet-Oyl; and
if Bored, Oyl poured into the Holes, and bathed four and twenty hours in
it, and then thrown out again, will exceedingly preserve them.
The line, to make it neat, handsom and strong, twist the Hair you make
it of _even_, having seen if the Hair be of an equal bigness; then steep
your Line in Water, to see if the Hairs shrink, if so, you must twist
them over again. The Colour of the Hair is best of _Sorrel_, _White_
and _Grey_; _Sorrel_ for muddy boggy Rivers, and the two last for clear
Waters. Nor is the _Pale watery green_ contemptible, died thus: Take a
pint of strong _Ale_, half a pound of _Soot_, a little of the Juice of
_Walnut-Leaves_ and _Allum_; Boil these together in a Pipkin half an
hour, take it off, and when 'tis cold, put in your Hair. In making your
Line of Hair mix not Silk; but either all Hair, or all Silk; as likewise
distinguish the Line for the Ground Angle, and that for the Fly-rod, the
last must be stronger than the first; in that for the Artificial Fly,
making the uppermost Link twenty Hairs long, less in the next, and so
less till you come to the Fly. Lastly at each end of your Line make a
Loop (called a _Bout_) the one larger, to fasten to, and take it from
the top of your Rod, and the other Lesser to hang your Hook-line on.
Your Hook must be long in the shank, something Round in compass, the
point strait and even, and bending in the shank. Set on your Hook with
strong small Silk, laying your Hair on the inside of the Hook.
Your _Flote_ challenges divers ways of making. Some using _Muscovy_ Duck
quills for still Waters. Others the best sound Cork without flaws or
holes, bored through with a hot Iron, and a Quill of a fit proportion
put into it; then pared into a pyramidal Form, or in the fashion of a
small Pear, to what bigness you please, and ground smooth with
Grindstone or Pumice; this is best for strong Streams.
In fine, _To plum the Ground_, get a _Carbine_ Bullet bored through, and
in a strong twist hanged on your _Hook_ or Rod. To sharpen your _Hook_,
carry a little _Whetstone_. To carry your several utensils without
incommoding your Tackle, have several _Partitions_ of Parchment. And in
short the ingenious Angler will not be unprovided of his _Bob_ and
_Palmer_; his Boxes of all sizes for his _Hooks_, _Corks_, _Silk_,
_Thread_, _Flies_, _Lead_, &c. His _Linning_ and _Woollen Bait-bags_;
His splinted _Osier light Pannier_; and lastly his _Landen Hook_, with a
Screw at the end to screw it into the socket of a Pole, and stricken
into the Fish, to draw it to Land: To which socket, a Hook to cut up the
Weeds, and another to pull out Wood, may be fastned.
_Baits_ are branched into three Kinds.
First, the _Life-baits_, which are all kind of _Worms_, _Redworm_,
_Maggot_, _Dors_, _Frogs_, _Bobb_, _Brown-flies_, _Grasshoppers_,
_Hornets_, _Wasps_, _Bees_, _Snails_, small _Roaches_, _Bleak_,
_Gudgeon_, or _Loaches_.
Secondly, _Artificial living Baits_, of _Flies_ of all sorts and shapes,
made about your Hooks with Silk and Feathers, at all times seasonable,
especially in blustering Weather.
Lastly, _dead Baits_, Pasts of all makings, Wasps dryed or undryed,
clotted _Sheeps-blood_, _Cheese_, _Bramble-berries_, _Corn_, _Seed_,
_Cherries_, &c. The two first good in _May_, _June_ and _July_, the two
next, in _April_; and the last in the Fall of the Leaf.
_Of Flies._
Of _Natural_ flies there are innumerable, and therefore it cannot be
expected I can particularize all; but some of their names I shall
nominate, _viz._ The _Dun-Fly_, _Red-fly_, _May-Fly_; _Tawny-Fly_,
_Moor-Fly_, _Shell-Fly_, _Flag-Fly_, _Vine-Fly_, _Cloudy_ or
_Blackish-Fly_, _Canker-Flies_, _Bear-Flies_, _Caterpillars_, and
thousands more, differing according to the Soils, Rivers or Plants.
_Artificial Flies_, are made by the Ingenious Angler, according to Art,
in shape, colour and proportion like the Natural Fly, of _Fur_, _Wool_,
_Silk_, _Feathers_, &c. To delineate which I must confess my self not so
accurate and skilful a Painter, nor can any Pen-drawing, illustrate
their Various Colours so, as to direct their Artificial Counterfeit;
Nature will help him in this by Observation, curiously Flourishing their
several Orient and bright Colours, after which they take their names, as
before said: And therefore to furnish your self with both Natural and
Artificial Flies, repair in the Morning to the River, and with a Rod
beat the Bushes that hang over the Water, and take your Choice.
1. Observe to Angle with the Artificial Fly in Rivers disturbed somewhat
by Rain, or in a Cloudy day, the Wind blowing gently: If the Wind be not
so high, but you may well guide your Tackle, in plain Deeps is to be
found the best Fish, and best Sport: If small Wind breeze, in swift
streams is best Angling: Be sure to keep your Fly in perpetual slow
Motion; and observe that the Weather suit the Colour of your Fly, as the
light Colour'd in a Clear day, the Darkish in a dark, _&c._ As likewise
according to the Waters Complexions, have your Fly suitable.
2. Let your Line be twice as long as your Rod: Keep as far as you can
from the Waterside, the Sun on your back; In casting your Fly, let that
fall first; your Line not touching the Water.
3. Have a nimble Eye, and active quick Hand to strike presently upon the
rising of the Fish, lest finding his mistake he spew out the Hook.
4. In slow Rivers cast your Fly cross them, let it sink a little, draw
it back gently, without breaking or circling the Water; let the Fly
float with the Current, and you will not fail of excellent Sport.
5. Observe to let the Wings of your _Salmon-Flies_ to be one behind
another, whether two or four, and they and the Tail long, and of the
finest gaudiest Colours you can choose.
_Lastly_, In clear Rivers a small Fly with slender Wings is best, and in
muddied Rivers a Fly of a more than ordinary large Body.
Thus much for Flies, I come next to that I called _Dead-Baits_, and
shall begin with the several Ways of making Pastes.
_Of Pastes._
1. Beat in a Mortar the Leg of a Young _Coney_ (Vulgarly called the
_Almond_) or of a Whelp or Catling, and a quantity of Virgins Wax and
Sheeps suet, till they are incorporated, and temper them with clarified
_Honey_ into Paste.
2. _Sheeps-Blood_, _Cheese_, fine _Manchet_ and clarified _Honey_
tempered as before.
3. _Sheeps-Kidney-suit_, _Cheese_, fine _Flower_, with clarified _Honey_
tempered.
4. _Cherries_, _Sheeps-Blood_, _Saffron_ and fine _Manchet_ made into a
Paste.
5. Beat into a Paste; the fattest Old _Cheese_, the strongest _Rennet_
can be got, fine _Wheat-flower_ and _Annis-seed_ Water: If for a _Chub_
you make the Paste, put a little rasty _Bacon_,
Lastly, _Mutton-Kidney-suit_, and _Turmerick_ reduced to a fine Powder,
the fattest Old _Cheese_ and strongest _Rennet_, wrought to a Paste,
adding _Turmerick_ till the Paste be of a curious Yellow; and is
excellent for _Chevin_.
Anoint your Bait with this Confection: Take the Oyl of _Aspray_,
_Coculus India_, and _Assa-foetida_ beaten, and mix with it as much
Life-Honey; then dissolve them in the Oyl of _Polypody_, and keep it in
a close Glass for your use. And that your Paste may not wash off your
Hook, beat Cotten-Wool or Flax into it.
_Of keeping Baits._
The _Red-Worm_, must be kept in a bag of Red Cloth, with a handful of
chopt _Fennel_, mixt with half so much fresh, black and fertile Mould
will scoure and preserve them: All other Worms, with the Leaves of Trees
they are bred on, renewing them often in a day. Only the _Cad-bait_,
_Bob_ and _Canker_, &c. must be kept in the same things you find them.
The great _White Maggots_, keep them in Sheeps Tallow, or little bits of
a beasts Liver; and to scour them, hang them warm in a bag of Blanketing
with Sand.
The _Frogs and Grasshoppers_, in wet Moss and long Grass, frequently
moistned; and when used, the Legs of the first, and the Wings of the
other must be cut close off.
The _Flies_, use them as you take them. Only, the _Wasps_, _Hornets_ and
_Humble-Bee_, must be dryed in an Oven, their heads dipt in Sheeps
blood, and dryed again, may be kept in a Box for use.
And now thus equipt let us walk to the Rivers side.