CHAP. I. Of the Name and Nature of a Pike.

A Pike is called in the Latin Lucius, either a Lucendo, from shining in the Waters, or else (which is more probable) from [...] the Greek word for Lupus; for as the Wolf is the most ravenous and cruel among Beasts, so the Pike is most greedy and devouring among Fishes. So that Lupus Piscis tho it be proper for the Sea-Wolf, yet it is often used for the Pike it self, the fresh water Wolf. He is of so greedy and voracious a nature, that he doth not only prey upon small Fishes, Frogs, &c. that come in his way in the Water, but some­times upon Birds, and the Fowls of the Air: [Page 2] and (some say) he will fasten upon greater Animals. A German Writer reports for a certai [...] truth, That when he had his Mule to drink a [...] the River Rhine, she was caught so fast by he [...] neather lipp with a Pike; that being sorely bitten and terrified at so unexpected an Assault [...] she suddenly threw up her head, and cast th [...] Fish upon the shore, which became a prey t [...] the Master of the Mule. Out of this Pike wa [...] taken, when it was opened, two young Gees [...] or Goslins, a Fen-Duck, and the foot of [...] Maid. If this Story be not creditable, because i [...] is so far fetch'd as from Germany, yet this i [...] certain that a More-hen hath been found in th [...] belly of a Pike taken out of our own Rivers [...] and I have seen my self that a Pike hath rise [...] and struck at a Swallow, that hath dip'd he [...] wings upon the Waters; and have known the [...] that have used a live Sparrow for a Bait at Snap [...] An English Physician made this Observation i [...] his Travels in the Low Countries, That as they were passing the Rivers in little Boats, the Pike struck so swiftly and greedily at the small Fry for feed, that sometimes they shot themselve [...] so far out of the Water, that they fell into th [...] Boat. This is another foreign Story, whic [...] we may parallel with one at home; how on [...] that had catch'd an Eel, and was pulling of the skin and washing it in a Mote, a Pike leap [...] at the Eel and fastened himself so to it, that h [...] [Page] drew out both Eel and Pike. Of all the small Officers under this great Captain, a Perch is the most secure from his devouring jaws; on which [...]e seldom adventures, except meer hunger [...]ompels him: yet Albert says he will take a [...]erch by the head, and kill it with his teeth first, [...]est if he should gorge it a-live, the finns and [...]rickles might be offensive to his maw: nor [...]oes he only tyrannize over all the small inhabi­ [...]ants of his own dominions, and sometimes [...]respasses upon another Element, but often [...]ransgresses the laws of Generation, and those [...]f his own species he unnaturally devours. This Common-wealth among the Fishes, is much [...]ike Mr. Hobbes's State of Nature, which is [...]ut Status Belli, the Great Ones always devour [...]he less; such is the Government, or rather [...]narchy in the Waters, where might will be [...]ure to overcome right, and the weakest go still [...]o the Walls. A Pike is a Prince in his own Li­ [...]uid Countrey, and like an Universal Monarch, [...]an command all the Regiments of the Scaled [...]rmy, can Lord it over all his Vassals, and [...]ike a Potent Tyrant) can enslave all the Resi­ [...]ents in his own Territories without the least [...]esistance: Yet one profess'd enemy he hath, and [...]hat more powerful than himself, which is a [...]reature of an amphibious Nature, and can live [...]y land as well as by water: This is a cunning [...]nd a choice Fisher, for he seldom takes any [Page 4] but the best and the biggest Fish: He is much esteem'd of in some Countries, especially in Sweden, where he is kept tame for the pur­pose, and taught so much craft and dexterity, that the Cook will send him out of the Kitchin when he wants a Dish of Fish, and he will go strait to the Pond and fetch them. 'Tis a strange tale if true, and we had better believe it, than go so far to disprove it: I never looked upon an Otter to be such a docible and ser­viceable a Creature; tho perhaps those of ano­ther Countrey may differ much in their Nature from ours.

CHAP. II. Of the Parts and Lineaments of a Pike.

AS to the shape and proportion of this great devourer, the figure of his Body is very long, his back broad, and almost square; al­together equal to the lowest Finns: his head is lean and very bony, which bones in his head some have resembled to things of mysterious consequence: One of which they commonly compare to the Cross, another to the Spear [...] three other to those bloody Nails which wer [...] Instruments of our Saviours passion: If thos [...] comparisons smell any thing of superstition, [Page 5] yet as to Physical use, those bones may be profitable. For the jaw-bone beaten to pow­der, may be helpful for Pleurisies and the sharpness of Urine; some do approve of it as a Remedy for the pain in the Heart and Stomach; others affirm that the small bones pulverized, may be fitly used to dry up Sores, and many the like Medicinal qualities are attributed to the Pikes head. An Ancient Author writing of his Nature of things, does discover a Stone in the Brain of a Pike much like unto a Chrystal: Gesner himself the great Naturalist, testifies that [...]e found in the head of a little Pike two white Stones. As to the shape of his Head, his Snowt [...]s long, which some have compared to the Bill [...]r Beak of a Goose. His lower Jaw is far longer than his upper; and in it are placed many Teeth, [...]ot orderly disposed, but of divers ranks and orders. His Eyes are of a golden colour, and very quick sighted, as are all sorts of Fish. Hi [...] Belly is always white, but his Back and Sides [...]re of a black and speckled yellow. His Ven­ [...]ricle is very large and capacious, and his Throat [...]hort, as we may see by his prey which he hath [...]ewly taken and not digested; part of it will come up into his mouth, but this is when he [...]eizes upon a great prize. A Credible Author [...]ffirms that he saw a Pike of that wonderful [...]igness, that had another within him conside­ [...]ably great, and that within had a Water-Rat [Page 6] in its Belly; So that the Ventricle of the great one must needs be exceeding large and extensive Gesner likewise observes that his Heart and Galls is very Medicinable to cure Agues, abate Fea­vors, &c. and that his biting is venemous and hard to be cured.

CHAP. III. Of the Age and growth of a Pike.

AS to the encrease and vivacity of this devouring Fish, some Historians have asserted that he will live to an incredible Age▪ and that he will carry half as many Years a [...] Scales upon his Back. Our Fore-quoted Autho [...] Gesner, relates in his Natural History that a [...] Pike was taken out of a Pond of the Emperou [...] Frederick, that had lived 260 and odd Years▪ which appears by the date in a Brass Ring whic [...] lay hidden and grown over in his Gills, and had this Inscription written in Latin, Ego su [...] illi piscis huic Stagno omnium primus impofit [...] per Mundi Rectoris Frederici secundi manus di [...] quinto Octobris, 1497. But whether our Fait [...] will give us leave to believe this or not, it is no [...] material to our Disquisitions; for though w [...] cannot prove him to be so longevous as to reac [...] Hundreds, it is certain he will live to some score [...] [Page 7] of Years; and one of 40 or 45 inches, which are of the largest size, may possibly consist of as many Years as Inches; and some of our own Countreymen have known and observ'd a Pike to come within Ten Years of the distinct age of Man, and had liv'd longer had not fate hasten­ed his Death by a violent hand. One of 40 inches (I said) might haply be of so many years standing; not that a Pike grow just about an Inch in a year, for that is a thing that is hard to determine, some grow faster, some slower, ac­cording to the diversity of their Water and their Feed: River Fish are thought to grow much fast­er than Pond Fish; except the Pond be very large and have a good stream run through it: for there is nothing helps so much to the feeding of a Pike as fresh Water. That's the reason why a Pike will not bite well after a great Rain. Jacks or Pickerills grow faster than great ones, and I have observed in a cleer and springing Brook, that a Jack spawn'd in March will take a Bait in October following, and will be encreased to Eighteen Inches the next March. In standing Water, as Motes and Ponds, he grows nothing so fast; for to try the experiment, I have taken one out with a Cast-net in May, Measured him and Mark'd him on his Tail, and about Michael­mas I have taken the same fish, as appear'd by the Mark, and then measured him again and he hath not encreased in length above two Inches, and [Page 8] very little in Breadth. A River Fish will grow very fast till he come to be 24 or near 30 Inches, then he stands a little more at astay, and spreads himself in thickness; after that he will grow a long time, and be much longer growing to his full bigness from 30 Inches, than he was encrea­sing to that proportion. He is a great Breeder and Multiplier, as we may see in those places that are preserv'd, how soon a River is full stock'd. Small Jacks shew themselves much after a Spring­flood, every Ditch is then full of Pickerills, and the Fenns are so abundantly stor'd with them, that you may buy an Horse load for a shilling. Its the Spring Tide that brings them up most, for about Midsummer and after they much decrease [...]nd diminish in their number; some being ta­ken with Snares and Bow-nets, some with Trol­ling, and many little ones devoured by the great­er: So that in the Stocking of a Pond, the wisest course is to put in all your Jacks as near as you can of a bigness, for a Pike of 30 Inches will make no bones of one of 16. As to the encrease of them, some are apt to grow more in length, others more in Breath and Thickness; which latter sort are the best fed and the firmest Fishes; for a lean, slender Pike, though he may seem to advance and improve in length, yet he is common­ly a Waster; for if he hath received any outward hurt, or wound, either by the Otter or by a strong­er of his own species, or is inwardly pricked by [Page 9] the Hook or any casualty, yet still he will live and eat his Meat, and be as hungry as Pharao's lean Kine, which devoured the fat ones: he will be yet for Plunder and greedy as ever, tho he neither thrive nor grow; this I observed in a large Pike which I took in a wasting conditi­on, he had a long Hook in his Belly, and the end of the Wire hung out of his Mouth; he might probably have been long in that declining estate, and so might have continued a considerable time, though he fall away, and must at last ne­cessarily die of a Consumption. There are several circumstances of time and place which may be very advantageous and conduce much to the growth of a Pike, a still shady unfrequented place, where he is not affrighted and disturbed at his Feed is very Commodious for his rest and repast; especially if his Shelter be thick and convenient for him: for if a Ditch joyn upon the River, or a Spring or small Brook run into it, his abode will be more pleasing and delightsome; if it be a solitary and retired corner, not beaten with Fishers and the often visits of his flatering Friends.

CHAP. IV. Of the Seat and Harbour of a Pike.

THe Place and Harbour of a Pike is usually amongst or near a Bank of Weeds; for he does not always confine himself to his bed and [Page 10] lye close like a Fox in his den, but often shoots out and sports in the cleer stream; and (like the great Leviathan) takes his pastime in the middle of the Waters. The Weeds indeed are his chiefest refuge and his Sanctuary, if he be affrighted by a Net or the sudden disturbance of his approaching Enemy; he then strikes into his accustomed Harbour, and there keeps his Garison. Those weeds where he most delights to make his Residence, are Flags and Bulrushes; if there be none of those, then Candocks have the next honour to entertain this princely Guest. There are other Weeds where he thinks fit to make his abode, as Reeds, green Fog, and a Weed with a small leaf, which he often frequents, especially about October, when they begin to rot. If a place be very thick and weedy, you cannot so easily guess where his Lodgings are, but if the River be free from weeds, only here and there a bank or bed of Bullrushes, you may safely conclude those are his retirements and his baiting places: If your River be very broad, deep, and streight like a Scoure, it will be so much the more difficult to find his recess; and if there be but few fish, it will be next to seeking a Needle in a Bottle of Hay; for in such a kind of false River you may Troll perhaps from Morning till Night and scarce get a bite. But if such a place be little beaten, and have plenty of Fish you may have sport enough to [Page 11] encourage you to the same place; but then you must arm your self with a great deal of patience, and fish it very true and slow. There's not so much variety and delight in Trolling such a River, be­cause it is all along even and alike, and you cannot conceive where your prey lies; this you may call Hap-hazard, and expect a bite every throw, though you go three or four hours, and neither see nor feel any Fish but your own Bait. Some there are that place their sport in Hopes, and take as much delight in expe­ctation as others doe in frution; but a little En­couragement does well; not only for the profits sake (as something has some savour) but also to save the credit and keep away despair from the Melancholy Fisherman.

The best and securest way of Fishing these wide Reaches, is by drawing the bait along the sides next to you, except you can search the breadth of it, and throw over to the farther side; but that is but dull and slow Sport, and it will spend a great deal of time to Troll the length of a Furlong. If your River consists of pits, which is the quickest and most delightsome way of Trolling, you must have a special regard to the top and bottom of the Pit. A Pike may be taken sometimes in the middle, but his chiefest Seat and Habitation is at the bottom of the Pit; and this I have often observed, that where one Pike hath been taken at the Mouth, another [Page 12] hath been found at the feet or bottom of the Pit.

These are the ordinary places; yet according to the variety of Weather and Seasons of the Year, a Pike will alter and change his dwelling. In the Winter he usually couches very nigh the ground, and gets into the deepest and obscurest places; about the latter end of February, or the beginning of March, he begins to be weary of his melancholly repose, and to raise himself a little from the bottom, and is more active in seeking his feed: At the latter end of March, or sometimes the middle, he shoots into the scoures, and there leaves the Spawn to multiply accord­ing to its kind. In April and May he still gets higher, and advances himself into the shallows; and if he may lie unmolested there, he will so continue most part of Summer; in September he begins to retreat again, and removes himself from his accustomed harbour to visit his Winter Quarters, which will be much the same as be­fore, if no floods disorder him: This is his yearly course to change according to heat or cold, so that a Pike, like a Person of Quality, hath both a Winter and a Summer House. As to his dai­ly Transactions, he thus disposes of himself: In a hot gleamy day, he gets to the Surface of the Water, as if he had a desire to exchange his Element, to enjoy the comfortable influence of the Airy Region, he then scorns to be tempted [Page 13] with a Bait, and can live all day with a little more nourishment than the Motes in the Sun: for you can no sooner offer him the kindness of a deceitful Bit, but he's gone as swift as light­ning to abscond himself in his lowest retirements. There are some that will make such brags of their Art, that they have the confidence to say, They can find a Pike as easily in his seat, as an old Hare-finder can take Puss in her Furm; and that the same Pike will as infallibly take your Bait, as an hungry Dog will leap at a Crust: They would make you believe they are good Accomptants, and such Water Arithmeticians, that they can tell the number of the Fish in the River as well as Graziers can count their Sheep and Beasts in their Pastures. These Stories are too Romantick to gain the credit of sober Fisher­men, though one that hath had much experi­ence and made it his business, may give a near guess where the Fish lies: some places are more probable than others, though you will often meet with them in the middle as well as by the sides, and sometimes unexpectedly where there is no conveniency of shelter or repast. A Ford that is cleer and gravelly at the bottom, especi­ally if it have a Spit adjoyning to it that is indif­ferent deep and weedy, is looked upon as a pro­bable place: for though they generally affect a deep Water, yet they will get as near as they can to a Ford or Shallow; where they delight [Page 14] themselves, and sport with the little fry, so a [...] Scoures and Pits that are near Mills, eithe [...] above or below them, commonly well stor' [...] with Fish: A Mill Dam that is deep and weedy [...] is an approved Receptacle for them. Tho [...] Rivers that are streight and level, are not [...] good to Fish, as those that are crooked and hav [...] many corners and turnings: for the Fish wi [...] get into those Creeks and Channels, an [...] hide themselves in their private apartments. [...] the water be narrow, it is more pleasing for t [...] Troller; for where it is very broad and deep [...] there is more uncertainty in their Seat and Ha [...] bour, if it be narrow, you may Fish both side [...] and sooner chop upon them, you will then g [...] on the the faster; and with more courage a [...] alacrity drive forward to your journeys en [...] But this is chiefly as every one fancies, for so [...] desire the widest places they can find, and the [...] to fix themselves two or three hours without at [...] considerable motion: I never approv'd of th [...] dull way, as thinking it needless and impertine [...] to cast three or four times in one and the sa [...] Place, because a Pike if he bites at all, common [...] rises at it the first throw, tho he may sometim [...] snap at it, when you have the least thoughts [...] him. As to the Nature or Constitution of the [...] ver, the deeper is generally the better and the saf [...] Harbour; altho he delights much in a mid [...] Retirement, about four foot in depth is a rig [...] [Page 15] proportion, and the best pitch for the Troller; [...]or if it be much deeper, they are the more difficult to stir, and harder to find; and if [...]hallower, they will be apt to see you, and so [...]hun the inticements of a Treacherous Friend. Small Jacks will often lye within two or [...]ometimes one foot in Water; its the wisest course in such places to keep at a distance and not come nigh the River till the Bait is in.

CHAP. V. Of the best Seasons for Trolling.

THere are some that pretend to Trolling, and yet Observe no Time or Season to be better than another: A Pike indeed will bite more or [...]ess at any time, and the Fisherman may happen [...]pon some sport, let him set out when he will; but [...]o go out so at all adventures, is a very uncrtain [...]nd unsecure way: for as to the Heat in Summer [...]nd Frost and Snow in Winter, he had better make Hay in the one, and sit by the Fire in [...]he other. Some will brag so much of their [...]ardy Constitutions, that they can break the [...]ce with one hand, and take out Fish with the [...]ther, and can slide a Trolling (like Dutchmen) [...]n their Scates, and not be sensible of the in­ [...]lemeny of the Air: they will be still for Fishing, [Page 16] when the Weather is more proper for Fowling; they will pretend they can charm the Fish at Christmas with a sweetned Bait, and to be more admired, will present their Landlord with a Pike at New-Years-tide; These (I con­fess) are Artists far beyond our Profession, i [...] their performances be as large as their promises.

There are some Days (we grant) in the depth of Winter, as in December or January, that a Man may pick out to stand two or three hours, by the River-side, but the Weather must be Open and Temperate, and about the middle of the day: such a Winter as the last was in 81 might be very favourable to the sport, and there was few days but what might have been serviceable for the Trollers Diversion; the great Fish will be then soonest enticed with the Bait at that time of the Year, because they lye dee [...] and are not so careful of their own preservation▪ There is another great advantage for the Winter Troller, that the Weeds are then down, an [...] rotten, which before were a great hinderanc [...] both from throwing the Bait, as also in keepin [...] the Fish from the sight of it; for though a Pi [...] delights much among the Weeds, and doe [...] usually make his abode there, yet it is very diff [...] cult to take him there, except it be with th [...] Snap; for if you give him the liberty of running and playing with your Bait, he winds himself so fast about the Weeds, that you may b [...] [Page 17] in some danger of losing both your Fish and your Hook, if your Line be not very Strong: If you take a Snap too, you will be troubled with them, for they are great Enemies to that. To begin the Year then and the Fishermans Recreations, February is the first and none of the worst Months he can pitch upon for his sport, after Candlemas if the season be moderate and the water in tune (which is very rare then) for if it be not a flood, as it is often at that time, yet the Ditches and Brooks are com­monly so rank and full, that it is but indifferent Fishing; but if it chance to be a dry season and open, it is one of the best Months. So is March very seasonable and auspicious to the Troller, excepting the time of Spawning, which usually begins about the middle, unless the Spring be very forward; and then they will be sick sooner. The Snap is then the only way to deceive them, for if you fish at Pouch you may have many [...]ites, but scarse take one, except it be a Male-fish. These two Months will try the Fishermans [...]atience, whether he be Wind and Weather [...]roof; the next is April, which will make him [...]mends for his former sufferings; and is a Month [...]o inviting to sport, that it is both pleasant and [...]rofitable; the chirping Birds do then begin to [...]eek their Males, and the long silent Cuckee [...]hat forsook her colder Climate, does again [...]alute her sprouting branches, and tell [Page 18] us the News of an approaching Summer: Yo [...] may then please your self to see the tende [...] Swallow so ioyful at her first flight, when sh [...] seems to make obeisance to your Bait, an [...] displays her Wings upon the surface of th [...] Waters. This Month you will find most pro­pitious to your pastime, because the Weed [...] which have couch'd all Winter, have not ye [...] erected their Heads to annoy the Bait, o [...] frustrate the hopes of an impatient Fisherma [...] This Month (I say) is usually successful fo [...] these diversions, both because the River is the [...] cleer of Fog and Filth; and also that the Fi [...] which have lately cast their Spawn, are now mo [...] hungry and ready for their prey; there is no [...] little fear of their forsaking your Bait as the [...] did in March. They are not yet arrived to tha [...] fatness, and firmness, which they will ge [...] in Summer, but are many of them flamp an [...] thin; the individium decreasing to multiply th [...] species. The beginning of May is likewise ve [...] seasonable, especially if it hits with the Pr [...] verb to be Cold and Windy; towards the latte [...] end of it the Weeds spring up, and are ver [...] offensive to the Hook; then begins the Trolle [...] Vacation, which continues till the latter end [...] August or the beginning of September; yet tho [...] that are afraid of an Ague at Spring, or Fa [...] may choose themselves the coolest cloudy d [...] they can find in June or July to exercise the [...] [Page 19] Skill; but then they will be sure to take more Weeds than Fish.

As to the Fall of Autumnal season, October is the principal Month, the Wea [...]her being then temperate, and the Weeds which were st [...]o [...]g and high before, do now die and fall to the bottom. The Rivers are then generally low, which is a great advantage one way, b [...]cause the F [...]sh are more easily found in their Harbours, when they leave the Shallows and Sc [...]res, and [...]odge them­selves in the Pits and deepest places: A P [...] is now very firm and fat, having had the benefit of the Summers feed; and if the Weather con­tinue dry and not extraordinary cold, you may take in part of November, which will add much [...]o your sport, because the Weeds will be the more wasted and rotten; but if a flood comes in October, or the beginning of Novem­ber, you may lay aside your Tackling for that Season: for great Rivers (like great Vessels) be­ing long in filling, and slowly mounting to their full height, are again long in falling and settle­ [...]ing; so that the Water will be thick and out of order, except frost or much fair Weather comes to clear it. In small Brooks and Rivolets [...]t is not so, but you may Fish there again with­in a Week or less after the Flood. If such incon­veniencies put off your designed Sport, you must be content to desist till the fol ow [...]ng Spring, when the days will be longer, though haply the [Page 20] Weather colder. Now as to the time of the day, the Morning and Evening is most delightsome in Summer; because towards Noon the Fish get up to the top of the Water, and are more mindful of their play than their meat. If the day be clear and calm, a Snare is more proper than a Bait; for the least motion you can make with your Line will affright a Fish that lies high; and if he be once mov'd and put to the flight, a [...]l the art you can use will not entice him to your Bait again: besides that, it will then be too hot for sport; for heat creates no appetite in any thing, much less in Fish: its the Wind, and the cooler Clouds, when Zephirus curles the Waves with a brisk and delightsome Gale, that invites a Fish to repast; these hot and sultrey da [...]s are fittest for the stote, when the Fish are for some light and slender diet; and the Angler hath the best pastime with his Flies and Bees, &c. At such a time of year early or late is the best Fishing, if it be in the Night. But as to the Winter or Spring Quarter, one part of the day is as favourable as the other; for then the Sun being not so hot, it neither molests the Fisher, nor takes away the Fishes stomacks; if the day be dark and cloudy, you will find but little difference; if any, the Noon-tide is the best, or about Ten or Eleven of the Clock; you will be then glad of a warm blast, when your fingers can scarce feel whe­ther they be Fish or Flesh. Some are very scru­pulous [Page 21] concerning the Wind, and will not stir cut a foot except it stand in what corner they would have it; though upon such a Nicety I scarse ever denied my self a day of diversion. A Northern Wind indeed is m [...]re sharp and pier­cing, and will weary the Fishermans patience, because Boreas his Breath is more nipping than that of his fellows, and the North East carries a Proverb with it, enough to discourage a fresh Water Souldier; yet this I have observed, that in a right and seasonable time of year, the Fish will bite let the Wind-stand where it will. The South and the South-west have the general applause, because they are more pleasing and delightsome to the Troller; and tis granted that the Fish may then rise more briskly and quicker at the Bait, and perhaps they may then have more sport, than when the Wind is contrary; yet this is as certain, that the colder the Wind is, the closer the Fish lye to the bottom, and the far­ther in their harbour; which may hinder you of having so many bites, as when they lye out and more open in a warmer day: yet the Air being cold and sharp, it makes them hungry; and if you be careful you may have as many Fish as bites: besides a Fish of any bigness, is too cunning to be cheated of his life, if he lyes not securely in the deeps, or invisible a­mong the weeds; for as old Birds are too subtile to be taken with chaffe, so an old Fish [Page 22] that hath been already prick'd in the Gills or the Guts, is very cautious in making a s [...]cond adventure. All the principal and chiefest time for Trolling may be epitomiz'd into four Months, two of which attend the Spring and two the Fall; part of March may conveniently be left out, which will only tantalize with Bites and afford you no Fish, if you use the Pouch; neither will they then bite so freely as they will about a Fortnight after, they are then very averse and indifferent in their feeding; the reason of which some do ascribe to the multitude of Frogs which do then engender and breed in the Waters; though I have not been altogether of that opinion: for supposing the Fish do feed upon Frogs then, which I could seldom observe, especially in the deep Streams and running Waters, where the Frogs very rarely come; for they generate for the most part in Pits and standing Pools amongst filth and mire: yet notwithstanding this that the Fish do prey upon them at that time, yet it will not hinder your sport so much, but that they will oft take your Bait; for a Pike is of that greedy and rapacious Nature, that although he hath lately made a good meal of Frogs, yet he will not deny to taste of a Roach for his second course: He takes so much pleasure and delight in eating, that he never cares to stint himself; or Physically, for his healths sake, to be content [Page 23] with a moderate diet: for I have often taken him so soon after his feeding, that he hath had part of his meat in his mouth; having newly swallowed so large a Fish, that his Ventricle was neither capable to receive or digest it quickly: sometimes I have taken him with two or three Baits in his Maw; sometimes with a great Roch or Daze; sometimes with one of his own species, very seldom with a Frog in his belly; a Frog is accounted a good Bait once by the year, that is about Hay-time, when it looks bright and yellow, though then it is something difficult to find; in March they are very plenti­ful, but are not of that golden colour, to make the Fish so much enamoured with their beauty. This may be granted then, that a Pike will feed to that excess and fulness, that he cannot gorge your Bait, yet will he rise and shew him­self, and make many offers, having such a good will to it, that you may often catch him with the Snap.

CHAP. VI. Of the Feed of a Pike, and when he is fattest.

IF you divide the Year into four Quarters, a Pike is good three of them; the Spring only being excepted. I could never find any consi­derable [Page 24] difference in the eating of it. It is an usual saying, That a Pike and a Buck are in sea­son together; that is in July and August: He is then very firm, and his parts hard and solid; you will find little alteration in September and October, which are the chiefest Months for the goodness of a Fish, he having enjoyed the quiet and unmolested feed of the fore-going Summer; in this we suppose a Pike of a considerable growth and bigness; for a small Jack eats al­ways loose and washy; for he (like many Ter­restrial Animals) grows too fast to be fat, and therefore would be let alone till he encreases to greater dimensions. One about Two Foot or Twenty six Inches, is most grateful to the Pa­late, and a Male Fish of that size is generally fat and delicious. Physicians affirm that the Chyle or Juice of such a Fish concocted, is more wholesome to the Stomach, than one of the larg­est proportion; though all Fish are naturally light and of easy digestion. A Pike indeed cannot be too bigg to make a present, or to spend on a publick occasion, to give noble and sumptu­ous Entertainment. It will then be very wel­come and acceptable, when the Pike is answera­ble to the company, and the sawce answerable to the Pike; for if it swims not in sawce and liquor, it had been better still swimming in the River. Such a Fish (which may be supposed a­bout 40 inches) will feed to an incredible fat­ness; [Page 25] some say far more, but I can testifie that a quart of fat hath been taken out of the belly of such a one: it must necessarily be a great charge and expence to se [...]d a Pike to that bigness, insomuch that some have credibly affirmed, that a Pike i [...] as costly and as long a feeding as an Ox [...]. Now a [...] to the difference of Fish, one out of a River that is sa [...], is far better and sweet­er than one fed in a Pond; except he be taken out of the Pond, and put into a running Stream, t [...] clear a while before he be eaten. Some that are curious, have Stews and Fountains for that purpose, and can draw them at their pleasure, chusing the sattest, and throwing in the rest a­gain. As to the Feed of a Pike, the small Fry wi [...]l keep him very well, though not so much to make him thrive and fatten; Griggs or small Eels cut on the backs, and cast in a few at a time, are his most nourishing and fattening di­et. The way of throwing Bullocks Blood into a Pond, Panches and Guts, cannot be so cleanly and wholesome Feed; much less is their practice approvable, that allow their Fish no better fare then Carrion, young Wh [...]lps or Kitlins, or such kind of loathsome meat: it is possible that Fish may feed upon such stinking and noysome food, and gr [...]w fat withal, but they are only fit for them to eat, that feed th [...]m with such trash; for it is not imaginable how those Fish should be sweet and wholesome, that live upon [Page 26] such foul and unclean meat: however, if they can perswade themselves that those Fish so fouly fed, are equally pleasant and toothsome with those that fare better; yet the very conceit and fancy that works upon some queasie Ser­machs, may represent that nauceous and loath­some, which is really sweet and nourishing. A [...] to the difference of Fish, you may easily distin­guish a Fed Pike from one in a wasting condi­tion: for they differ in the col [...]ur, which is usu­ally yellow and spotted in a fat, but white and pale in a thin lean Fish: you may also distin­guish them by the weight and bulk, if they be much of a length; observing likewise the breadth of the back and the sides: for those Fish that have full and extended bellies, are often deceitful, and may be full of Spawns instead of fat: The Male-Pike is generally firm and in­viting to the Eater; but the Spawners or Sow-Fish (as s [...]me call them) are out of season great part of Summer: for both before and after they have cast their Spawn, they are scarce worth the Trollers labour: Some do observe that they mul­tiply twice by the year, at the beginning o [...] the Spring, and again the latter end of Summer▪ which is not at all improbable. There are ma­ny circumstances that conduce much to the feeding of a Pike, as first a convenient Harbour; for they that lie among Weeds and foggy places do prove the fattest; they are there secure from [Page 27] the assaults and disturbance of Enemies, and enjoy a more safe and contented repose: Rest and quietness being as natural and helpful to their feeding as to other Creatures: Again there is some Water may be more feeding and nourish­ing than other: A thicker sort of Water, if it be not soul and muddy, is of a better consistency, and the parts better disposed and qualified for nu­trition, than those of a more thin and rarified substance; for it is a Rule in Philosophy, that no Element that is pure and without mixture, is consentanteous for nourishing; so that they have put it among their Vulgar Errors, that the Ca­maelion cannot live by Air alone, or the Salaman­der by Fire: so may we deny that Fish can live by pure Water, or by Respiration, or sucking in those slender Particles of his beloved Element, without the concurrence and assistance of some grosser and terrene qualities, which are inter­mingled with these Liquid Bodies. This is the reason why Fish are the fattest, though not al­together the sweetest, among Weeds and thick Fog; when they live and thrive with a little more refreshment, than what they receive from that fatness which the soyl imparts: if there be great store of Rubbish in a Pond or River, there needs a less supply of adventitious feed: it is a common observation, that after a glut of Rain, or some great Showres, a Pike never bites well, because he hath lately fed upon those fresh [Page 28] Streams that come in from the Banks and the Ditches; and indeed that reason may be proba­bly true; for though the Rain water of it self can have but little or no more strengthening than that already in the River; yet it scouring through the Channels, and washing the Land and Earth as it passeth, may from thence re­ceive a firmer and more solid substance; which may make it more glutinous and congruous for nutrition. It is possible that a Pike may live a great while in a cleer Pool, where there is nei­ther small Fry to prey upon, nor Harbour to shelter in, nor any quantity of Fog which might give him subsistance; yet certainly he will be much dissatisfied with that course of life, being as much discontented with those short com­mons, as one that hath not been used to a Prison-life, is there put in and fed with nothing but Bread and Water. I could never hear of a­ny that made tryal of this, meerly for experi­ment sake; but this is confess'd, that some per­sons have put a great stock of Pikes into their Ponds, and have not regarded to put in meat proportionable to their number, yet have pre­served it many years, denying both themselves and others the liberty of Fishing in it; have drawn it afterwards, expecting a plentiful en­crease, and have found nothing answerable to their expectations: so great a diminutio [...] of them must either be caused by the de­vouring [Page 29] Otter, or secretly by stealth or the like (which is scarce probable, they being kept so diligently, and watched so narrowly) or else they must infallibly languish and die for want of their accustomed feed. Some Fish might e­scape in such a mortality of them, and might still live and grow, but it is to be conceived, that they are those that were bred and wonted to the place, and not those that were taken out of the River and put into the Pond to feed: for alteration of Water among Fish, as well as change of Air or Ground among Beasts, is of much consequence, being very beneficial to some, and destructive to others.

Not but that they are much advanced that are translated from a worse to a better conditi­on: It is well known that Fen-Fish brought up into clear and higher Waters, will thrive much and be sweeter; but whether those that are bred in Brooks and small Streams, carried and put into Fen-Ditches will change for the better or the worse, is worth our enquiring.

CHAP. VII. Of the Baits for Trolling.

HAving already discours'd of the Nature of a Pike, and discovered his Harbour and Feed, and the time and seasons most proper [Page 30] to take him; the next work will be to provide Instruments and Tackling, as likewise Baits fit and suitable to every Season. Some there are that vary their Baits according to the time of the year, using small Fish in Winter, and Frogs, &c. in Summer. I cannot disapprove of that way, though I seldom made use of others then a small Fish, a Roch, or a Dace, sometimes a Gudge­on, which if it be large, is an excellent Bait, it being a sweet Fish, a Pike very rarely leave [...] it; it is of a dark colour and complexion, and therefore is most proper to be used in a brigh [...] day, or when the Waters are very clear and transparent: If the River be any thing muddy▪ or the Weather cloudy, then a Roch or a littl [...] Dace, or a Bleak newly taken, are the be [...] Baits can be made use of; the fresher they ar [...] the better, for if they lie dead but one night▪ especially in hot Weather, they may fail th [...] Fisher of his hopes; for Fish are the soone [...] stale of any thing, and a Pike may chance t [...] catch at a stale Bait, and play with it briskly a [...] first, but it is great odds that he leaves it at last▪ if he be not extraordinarily pinched with hunger▪ A stale Bait (we acknowledge) may make a goo [...] shift sometimes, but it must be neither in Summer, nor in Spawning-time, in October o [...] April they are not so curious but they can dispense with an indifferent diet; and in col [...] Weather a Bait may keep two or three days [Page 31] and yet be very servicable, especially at Snap, which makes no difference in Baits as to the sense of tasting; if they look bright and glister in the water, it is not material whether they be old or new; which affords a greater variety of Baits then that of Pouch: any thing that may af­fect the eye, may be used at Snap; some will take a piece of hard Cheese or Pack wax, a Rasher of Bacon or a Sheeps Gut, or almost any thing that is radient and shining; some will float on the top with a live Bird, a Swallow, or a Sparrow; though I judge that may be more out of curiosity, then for profit or sport. I never admired this way of Snap, as thinking it too quick and surprizing, to give any diversion; the sport of Trolling consisting more in the ma­naging the Bite, in the playing of a Pike, and his eager biting and running with the Bait, then just a word and a blow, snapping him up and putting him into the Bag.

One time of the year indeed, the Snap is the best means to attain the end, that is in March, when they are sick and about casting their Spawn; for then if your Snap-book be made the right way, with springs to strike sure, you may take four or five in the time the Pouch takes one: some fancy the Snap-hook plays the Bait more lively and naturally, though there may be no great difference, in that, especially if the Pouch-hook be fastened to the Line [...] with a Swivel, [Page 32] which is very conducible to the playing of a Bait. Some there are that Fish with their Baits alive, and have short Hooks fashioned ac­cordingly with more joynts and without lead; but that is rather a destroying and a poching way, then any fair Fishing; it makes such a slaughter amongst the Fish, that it is not fit to be used: for I have known some Rivers that have been quickly eased of their burden of Fish by that unlawful trade: the way and method they use, is to lay it may be three or fourscore of these Hooks, which may reach almost a Mile, after they have lain four or five hours or more, or presently after they have done the last, they begin to take up the first; so that they will kill perhaps a score of Pikes and Jacks: which way (if allowable) is the ready course to empty a River, and engross all the sport to themselves; two or three at a time, or one, if considerable, is enough to content any mode­rate Troller, that would have others partake of the Recreation as well as himself, and not fish above once or twice in a Season in the same place; for the means to preserve and continue this Sport, is to favour and cherish it: It is an easie matter indeed to take half a dozen or more, if he would stick at it a whole day in the beginning of the year, before the Waters are beaten or drag'd, for then they are so plentiful, that they shew themselves in every corner: As for a sweet and [Page 33] delicious Bait, a piece of an Eel may be pre­ferr'd, which if once taken and tasted, a Pike will assuredly feed upon it; this may be expe­rienced in Ponds and Stews, when they throw in Griggs to feed the Pikes. Of all the small Fish, a Perch makes the worst Bait, yet that may be used in a case of necessity, if you first cut off the fins and prickles on his back, though when you have done all you can at him, it will be but too little purpose; for a Perch is like a Prince among the Fish, and a Pik [...] is in so much fear of him, and hath that Antipathy against him, that he will much sooner fasten upon one of his own kind, then upon him; yet I have seen small Perches taken out of a Pikes belly, but it was in a Mote where he was kept short and had little else to feed upon; but if you be con­fin'd to this Bait, and can get no other to pro­mote your sport, it is best to scrape off some of the Scales, for it being a dark Fish, it will make it look somwhat brighter, and still the Snap is the best Hook for it, because if the Scales of the Perch be on, a Pike cannot easily gorge or digest it. A small Jack is a far better Bait, though it seems unnatural, yet Fish are not bound to observe the Laws of Nature. If it be a foot long, it may be cut in two, and so made use of. A young Chub or a Shallow may be very useful, or any Fish that glisters and shines in the Water; a Bleak is a very bright [Page 34] Fish. The way to keep and preserve your Baits till you have occasion to use them, is first to take a Cast Net and throw it, choosing those that are most fit for the purpose; and so lay them up in store: which must be done by having a Trunk ready to put them in, and then to take them out by two or three as occasion serves. In Summer time you may take them with an Angle, but that is very uncertain; nor can you have any choice that way, because they will often be too little or too big, besides it spends too much of the day that is intended for Trolling: some­times you may take with one Bait fresh out of the Trunk, three or four Jacks or more; for a Fish that bites greedily and swallows the Bait, presently does not tear it so much, as one that plays with it in his mouth and then leaves it; for a Bait is not much worse for being chopt and full of holes, provided it hang well upon the Hook, and the lead is not seen; for one Pike will feed very well after another, and the Bait will be still the sweeter the more it is bitten, if it be not used so long to be water-sopt: the Scales of a Roch or Dace are a great preservation to it, as also light and perspicuous, which render it more visible to the eyes of the great devourer: As to the definite number of Baits, it cannot be positively determined; two or three if fresh, will last long enough, if you have not very ill luck with them; for sometimes the first Fish [Page 35] that bites will tear the Bait: so that it will make it unserviceable, and yet not take the Pike, but the Weeds are most destructive to your Baits, especially when they are strong and tuff; so that if you be not careful in tying the tail of the Bait fast to the joynt of the Wire, the Weed will consume it, before the Pike comes. Some Fish will hold better than others; a Dace is one of the hardest, and will endure the longest; but a Gudgeon is but a tender Fish, and will soon burst: one fresh Bait will wear out two or three stale ones: Besides these natural Baits, there are a sort of Artificial ones, which are made so exquisitely to resemble the other, that they will delude the eyes of some Men, much more of the Fish; for if they be only look'd on, and not felt or touch'd with the finger, there is no doubt to be made of the reality of the Fish. Some pretend to Fish at Pouch with these Artifi­cial deceits, though 'tis more probable they were designed for the Snap; for a Pike is endued with a perfect sense of tasting, and therefore will scarce be courted to gorge and digest that which he can neither taste nor smell: There are indeed some of those Artificial Baits made after the Pouch fashion, whether for sight or service, to look upon rather then to use, I cannot con­ceive; for I more admired the curiosity and in­genuity of the Artificer, then any extraordi­nary excellency or usefulness in the thing. A [Page 36] Pike must be very hungry that gorges one of them, and he must do it hastily and greedily, for if he stays to consider of it and plays much with it, as some of them do, his curious and delicate Palate will presently distinguish a fresh and well relishing Morsel, from a dry and in­sipid bit.

Those that are covetous, may have two strings to their bow; by taking a Gudgeon of a middle size or a large Minow, for then they may be in hopes of taking large Perches as well as Pikes, for a Minnow is an excellent Bait for a Perch; great Baits do most invite a Pike, but little ones are more secure to take him.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Pouch-Hook.

OF Pike-Hooks or Jack-Hooks, there are se­veral sorts, both for the Snap and Pouch, the latter of which, we shall only endeavour to describe in this place; for though the Spring-Hooks are esteemed excellent, and strike sure, yet the ordinary plain Snap-Hook will miss al­most as often as it hits. Of Pouch-Hooks there are many fashions, some with a round bent, almost after the figure of a Perch-Hook; that may be very good, though I never made use of [Page 37] that fashion; for there is another sort which have a sloping bent outward, turning a little inwards under the beard, and withal bending the lead at the point of it, which point must be as sharp at it can be made; much after this fashion

It is the best to choose them of a black and somewhat blewish colour, indifferent thick and strong, the lead not very gross, but neatly co­vered, without any flaws or hollows in it, you may lead it your self if you buy them bare; by putting your Hook into a Reed, or a piece of Elder, or any such hollow thing; provided you do it fair and smooth, making it thicker in the middle or towards the bottom, then at the top, which must be narrow and slender. It will require an indifferent quantity of lead, for if it be pretty weighty, it plays the Bait the bet­ter; this is supposed of a single Hook, though the double one is the same as to the lead and joynts of the wire: I commonly made use of the single Hook, which strikes as sure as the other. The double Hook hath one advantage above the [Page 38] other, that if it meets with such resistance in the Water, that it loses one side of it, the other part with a little plaining and filing, may be still as serviceable as it was before; it is more trou­blesome in the Water, and more apt to check and take hold of the Weeds and Roots; it is the fittest for a great Bait, for if you put a small and slender Bait on a double Hook, it will hang out and bear off so much in the bendings, that a Pike may not only discover the delusion and craft of it, but if he chance to take it, it may check him in his feeding, and so hinder him from gorging of it: There are two or three sorts of double Hooks, besides that of the Snap, some of them are flat and are bent back to back, after this manner:

Another sort there is that is more sloped and the bents closer together; others there are that have a round bent, much after the form of the Snap, which must always have a full bent, and very large; That is baited by fixing the Hook in [Page 39] the middle of the Bait, and may have the lead fastened to the Wire; the way to use that, is to strike soon after the Fish bite, and as the Pike runs one way to strike the contrary.

In the choice of Hooks, you may have some regard to the Wire, lest that be rugged or knot­ty, for if that be not found and strong, you may lose both your Fish and your Hook. The first joynt of it which is next the Lead, must be so long that the tail of the Bait may not reach over it, for if it does, you cannot well fasten it to the joynt, though in a time of necessity you may untwist the wire of the upper joynt, and there fix the thred; some Baits are short, as Ro­ches and Shallows; some are longer, as Daces, Bleaks, or large Gudgeons, which require that the Hook and Wire be both long proportionable to it. The other joynt which is fastened to the Line, must be twice or thrice the length of the other; lest when the Pike hath gorged the Bait deep into his Ventricle, the Wire be not long e­nough to reach out of his mouth, and so he shear and cut the Line with his Teeth; this joynt had need be very fine and smooth, lest if it be rugged, it tear the Bait when you put it on; if this be stiff and strong, you need not that which they call the Arming Wire to help you thrust it out of the tail of the Bait; you may sometimes search your Wire, least it be faulty or broken, especially the lowest joynt, for [Page 40] there it often breaks, and may deceive you in your intended pastime.

There are another sort of Hooks which are made purposely for the Ledger Baits; those are used with live Fish, and are not leaded, the Hook is rather shorter than the other, but the Wire hath usually more joynts. The Lines for these need not be so long as the Trolling Line, for they may be thrown into the Water, and so gaged with a stick; for a Pike will not so soon take a Bait off the ground, as if it swims a­bout a foot or more from the bottom. The way of Fishing with Ledger-Baits is too destructive to be made a common practice, and far below the diversions of a fair Fisherman.

The best Hooks may be chosen by their Met­tal, which is the hardest and best temper'd Steel; these are so well composed, that they break and snap, rather then stand bent, or be the least moved from their first frame and figure; there is much variety in Hooks, and a great deal of deceit in them, and therefore it requires skill and caution to choose the best.

When you fasten the Wire to the Line, you must be sure to tie it with a right knot; least it catch a Weed that is far stronger then a Pike, and it slip the knot and get from you; but if all your Tackling be new and sound, you need not fear to adventure among Fog or Weeds, or any thing but Roots and Stumps of Trees, which may [Page 41] hold play with a Cart-Rope. To this end the safest and most secure way of fastening, is first to tie one single knot, and then one that will slip, or else only the slipping not, allowing it an inch or two of Line, and then girding and drawing it close, first making tryal of it with all your strength before you put it into the Water it's a neat and handsome way to fasten it with a Swivel, tying it close with a bit of Thred; this seems to play the Bait better, giving it a turn when you stir it, which makes it glister and swim like a live Fish.

There are a sort of course Hooks made of I­ron and thick Wire, which may make a shift to serve those that can get no better.

CHAP. IX. Of the Trolling Line.

NOw as to the Line it self, it is one of the chiefest and most necessary Member that is required to the Constitution of the body of a Fisherman: for an ordinary and indifferent Hook may be sometimes dispenc'd withal to shew good sport, as also the Pole; but if your Line be not strong and of a considerable length, you can have but little hopes of any competent [Page 42] success: The best materials for the composure of your Line, is green or blew Silk, which Ce­rulcan colour is most resembling and agreeable to the Water; but it is possible it may be only a fancy that that colour is of more consequence than another; yet sometimes the pleasing of the fancy, does so much enliven and encourage the Fisherman, that it makes him the more active and laborious, and so by that means is the oc­casion of all his sport; and if his fancy divert him another way, he will take the less care and pains in his present pastime.

Next to Silk, the best sort of green Thred is to be preferred, which though it be neither so handsome or so durable as Silk, yet it may last very strongly a year or two: but that wears like other things, according to the care and good keeping of the user; for if it be laid up wet, and on an heap, as soon as you have done Fishing, and take no more care of it, you may haply rot out as many Lines as you catch Pikes: The best way then of preserving it, is to wax it sometimes with Bees-wax, and when it is wet to wind it up loosly in long foldings, that the Air may come in to dry it, or else let it dry at length, and then wind it upon a Roll: with such usage, a Silk Line will last beyond your expectati­on.

There are some that make their Lines of Sheep or Cats Guts; but I cannot conceive they [Page 43] are so suitable and agreeable to the Water as Silk, or Thred; Silk and Hair may be fitly min­gled in the making of a Line; some make them of Silk and Silver, thinking that way to pre­serve it; tho the addition of Silver may be ra­ther to please their fancy and the gaity of their humour, then to keep their Line from perishing; such as they should have Silver Hooks to their Silver Lines, that if it cannot take Fish it self in the Water, it may take them ready caught, and so be useful in saving their credit.

There are other sorts of course Lines very short, not above half the length of the Trolling Line, which are either to Fish with a Ledger-Bait, or to lie all night, being tyed to a Float, and cast into the water.

These are not made of such fine stuff, neither are so well twisted as the other, and only serves in some exigencies, as when a Pike that will not be invited by Trolling, may be better pleased with a Bait that is laid for him: he will some­times so humble himself as to take it off the bot­tom; but it is the wiser course to tie a stick or a cork to the Line, that it may hang about a foot or more from the ground, observing the Wind withal, for if you throw it in against the Wind, it will drive it backwards, and carry the Bait close to the side, and though a Pike often har­bours by the side, yet the middle hath more scope and advantage of drawing him to it; for [Page 44] these laying Lines the worst sort will serve, be­cause the lying so long in the Water is the ready way to rot them.

As to the length of the Line, it is good to have enough, and far better to leave than to lack; for though a short Line may do very well in a Brook or some narrow place, where the Pike must either run upwards or downwards, and so you may follow your sport, yet if you come to a broad Reach, where the Fish run cross the Stream to the far side, you may often miss of your Pike for want of a few yards of Line; for if he be the least curb'd or stopt in his so speedy Career, and may not have his full swing, he is presently check'd, and leaves his suspicious prey. This I have often found by experience, though my Line was long enough, yet having a knot in it that would not quickly pass, as also being so entangled that it much shortened it, I have by that means lost very good Fish.

As to the precise length of it, that need not be determined, about 30 yards is a good medium for the Pouch, I cannot see any reason why it need be so long at Snap, for though they may throw out as far at Snap, yet that strikes as soon as he bites, and lets him run no farther, where­as at Pouch he may go farther with it still, though it be far cast.

It's true that for the Line at Snap ought to be thicker and stronger, for a sudden jerk may [Page 45] break that which might hold a good pull by de­grees; but as to the length, it need not be so long, because that is only for casting in, and a Pike will sometimes run farther with it then it can be thrown: so that I have seen those that have fish'd at Snap, with no longer a Line then what was tyed to the Pole, and so cast it up and down like an Angle: this was too short to be confin'd to no more Line then what was com­manded by the Pole.

As to the managing of the Line and fitting it for your sport, you may wind it upon a Roll that turns upon a ring of Iron with your finger in it, having no more in your hand then you make use of at the present: so that if occasion be, you may unwind it at your lea­sure.

Some draw it after them at length, which I approve as a very good way; if there be no im­pediments in the way; as Shrubs or Bushes to interrupt or make them go back; it will be very ready to cast out, and may throw it the farthest; for if you hold a great deal loose in your hand, it will be apt to knot and tangle, which will try the Fishermans patience. Some object that the drawing the Line upon the ground will be apt to wear it out sooner, but that is questionable, for it sooner dries so, and when it is dry, it can take but little harm: besides a Pike will sometimes be so hasty and furious, that [Page 46] he will scarce give you leave to unwind fast e­nough for him, and therefore the surest way to trapan him, is to make preparation for him, by having your Line at command in a compleat readiness.

CHAP. X. Of the Pole.

SUpposing your Hook be good, and your Line strong, you may make the better shift with an indifferent Pole; though some that are more curious in their Tackling than painful and patient in their Fishing, will not stir a foot without all the formalities of an exquisite Fisherman: such precise Crafts-Masters as these, can spend their time in admiring their Instruments, and suffici­ently delight themselves with the commendati­on of their own Materials. This is certain and undeniable, that the longer the Pole is, if it be streight and light, you will find the more bene­fit in playing the Bait and throwing it from you; for if there be Flags or Reed between the Bank and the main deep, you can very hardly play your Bait with a short Pole. I confess I have of­ten put a Ring upon my Hand-stick and made use of that instead of a Rod, and have had the [Page 47] fortune sometimes to take a Pike well nigh as long as my Pole: sometimes I have taken nothing with me, but confided in the Willows that grew next to the place designed for that days Recreation, cutting down as good a Stick as I could find, and so making a bent at the end for the Line to slip; and have left it at the con­clusion of the Sport: In a broad River or a Pond, being at a pinch, I have had no Pole at all, but only took the Bait in my hand, and cast it from me like a stone to the length of my Line, the end of which I was sure to fasten about me, least I threw it quite out, and then have repented of my folly when it was too late to amend it. In some places they fish altogether that way where the River is deep and clear from Weeds. I never accustomed my self to a long Pole, lest I might seem like them that make a great bustle, and take but few Fish. I generally made use of an Alder as long as I could get, commonly about three yards long, which I bark'd and kept dry for lightness and easie carriage; when it was throughly dry it would be tough, and so light, that I could scarce feel it in my hand; and there is no objection to be made, that such a stick is too weak; for any thing is strong enough at Pouch that will play the Bait and throw it from you; there is no weight or stress upon the Pole, and but little upon the Line; if you strike the Fish gently and play him slightly and dexterou­sly, [Page 48] you may tire him with a slender Line, if it be long and can keep him from Weeds and Roots; at Snap indeed your Tackling must be all fitted accordingly, your Line very strong, and your Pole on purpose of a good Ash, or Withy, or Hazel well dryed; streight and tuff, that it may be able to draw him out nolens volens, by meer force and compulsion: He that uses that way is scarce a word and a blow, for the mistaken Fish no sooner lays his Mouth upon the deceitful Bait, but he is catch'd up into another Element. The way of Pouch is far more mild and flattering, though as much destructive and pernicious. If you use an Ash or an Hazel Pole, you must have a Ring fixed at the end, some have two; that is one in the middle, though I see no ne­cessity of that superfluity. If it be an Alder or a Cane, or any hollow Wood, you may have an Iron Ring made to screw in at the top about an handful or more in length, or else that which may be at well, a piece of dry Alder that is cut sharp and sloping about three or four Inch­es long, which you may stick fast in the end of the Pole; some have only a Ring with a little Screw very short. If your Pole be of Alder, it will be apt to crack, you may secure that by binding the end of it hard with a Waxed Thred, and then you may thrust in at the top without any danger of breaking or cleaving the Pole. A dry Withy or Hazel, bored about twelve or four­teen [Page 49] Foot, will make an excellent Pole; which may serve for Angling if it be so long, only put­ting a top into it, as also at Snap. It is a great ease to have a light Pole, and therefore the best course is to get them in the season of the year, and let them stand near the Fire, or in some dry place, for the space of half a year or more; for if your Rod be green and heavy, it will make you weary of your Sport, and be a great hinde­rance and discouragement to your Fishing.

The truth is, if sport be quick and good, scarce any thing can vex or discompose the Fish­er; for he is then so attentive on his pleasure, that he takes little notice of those inconveni­ences which otherwise might be a trouble and vexation to him; he then regards neither Wind nor Weather, and disdains those slight pertur­bations of Cold, Thirst, or Hunger; he hath then gotten the Philosophers Stone which sweet­ens all his other crosses, and turns all disasters into Gold. His Sport is a Cordial for all his Distempers, and the Pike (like a good Water-Physician) can cure him of all his Diseases: if he be weary, his sport refreshes him, if cold, it warms him; if melancholly, it cheers him; if drowsie, it revives him; if in pain, it eases him; if sick, it recovers him: he then fee's not the weight of his Pole, nor is concern'd that his Tackling is no better. This is the prosperity of the Fisher, but if you see him in adversity, [Page 50] when fortune does not smile on his endeavours, you shall, find him much altered, and in a con­trary condition; supposing (I say) the thing called Luck does not attend him, and his be­loved Sport does not sweeten all other Ingredi­ents, which should refine all the dross of out­ward misfortunes, he it then so much at a loss and dejected, that he can expect but a bitter potion: Patience and Hopes are the tw [...] chiefest Pillars that support the Building of [...] Fisherman; for if they be once disturbed or sha­ken, you may easily foresee the ruins of Pisca­tor.

If you desire to be private at your Sport, an [...] to go undiscovered to the River, you ma [...] walk out with an Oak stick or the like in you [...] hand, taking a Ring with a Screw at it; yo [...] may deceive the expectations of others, an [...] pass on without the least suspicion.

CHAP. XI. How to Bait the Hook, and to play the Bait.

THough it be supposed that you are perfectl [...] furnish'd with all sorts of Tools and Instru­ments that are required to the making up th [...] very Essence of a Fisherman, and that you ar [...] [Page 51] as throughly accoutred with all the Materials and Utensils for Fishing as Piscator himself could possibly be, yet if you know not how to use these Implements, you will be soon weary of your Sport, and despair of learning the Art of Trolling; provided then that your Baits are rea­dy, take a couple of Hooks at least with you; if you have a mind, you may Bait them before you set out, especially if the Weather be cold, that it may not trespass too much upon your pa­tience when you come to the River: The way then to Bait your Hook, is first to thrust your Wire into the mouth of the Fish, quite through the belly and out at the tail; some have besides the running Wire a Knitting Needle on purpose, but if the first joynt of your Wire be stiff and strong, it may very well be done with that; the point of the Hook must be even with the belly of the Bait; for if it hang on either side, it may hinder and check the Pike, who will pro­bably lay his mouth upon it; for when he chops cross the Fish, he may be pricked, and so leave you only the hopes of another Bite; when you have so put through the Fish, then tie the Tail of the Bait fast to the joynt of the Wire with strong Thred, which will both make it hang streight upon the Hook, and preserve it from outward violences; for if it be not well fastened, the Weeds will have so much power over it, that they will soon tear it down to the Gills, and [Page 52] so separate the Hook from the Bait; some fasten it with a Needle.

The best way of fixing your Hook to the Line, is with a Swivel, which if you have not, you may make it fast with one slipping knot, which you may untie without cutting your Line.

When you are thus fixed for your intended Sport, then drop in your Bait first even before you, then cast it on each side to search them, and let the third throw be before you into the mid­dle, afterwards cast about all places where you conceive your Game lies, or any where that you can fish without annoyance; for a Pike often delights himself in a very unlikely and improba­ble Harbour; and therefore the surest way to meet with him, is to fish true and close; mis­sing as little of the River as you can: which though it be tedious, yet it is the only way to search and see what store of Fish a River afford­eth; and you may often have a Bite, when you think least of it.

Now the farther you throw in your Bait, the more advantage you gain by it, and more hopes of a Bite, provided there be no impediments is your way, as Weeds, Roots, or the like; fo [...] if the place be foul or weedy, you canno [...] make out so far, but only drop in your Bai [...] here and there by the sides and in holes that an [...] clear and deep: The Weeds are bad Enemie [...] [Page 53] to the Bait and Hook; though a good Hook and a Line answerable to it, will pull up the strong­est of them; for I cannot remember that I ever lost a Hook by a Weed alone, except it had some stump or root of a Tree to be assistant to it; the Candocks indeed, and Bullrushes will much disfigure and annoy your Bait, and almost quite discountenance a young Undertaker; for if the smallest bit of weed hang upon the Hook, a Pike will be very sqeamish to gorge it; though some affirm that he feeds upon a Weed one time of the year, which they call from thence Pic­kerill Weed.

Supposing then that you have cast out a very fair throw, it may be a dozen or sometimes twenty yards, which may easily be done if the River requires it; let it first have a little time to sink, then feel it, and draw it gently towards you; for a Pike often takes it at the first sight before it gets to the bottom, and if you snatch it hastily, you may chance to give him such a discouragement, that you may be deprived of your expected sport: after you have given it an easie motion towards you, let it have the liber­ty of sinking again, then draw it slowly and softly, for if you jerk it too quick and hastily, you will not give him leave to lay hold upon the Bait; for he will often shoot himself from the farthest sides, and at a great distance, be­ing so quick sighted in the Water: when you [Page 54] have got your Bait near the Bank, then play it longer there; first deep: for the deeper you Fish the better, especially in cold Weather; after­wards raise it higher and higher by degrees till you see it, and then you may often have the pleasure of being an Eye-Witness to your own bite; and though you have before been often deceived in your hopes, and have caught a Weed instead of a Fish, yet now you may as­sure your self, if the Proverb hold true, That seeing is believing: there are indeed some sort of Weeds, and the stream together, which may often give encouragements, by promising Sport, and performing none; they will some­times so exactly imitate a real Bite, that an old and experienced Fisherman m [...]y be mistaken with all his craft and cunning. The best way then to be sure, is to pull your Line gently till you come to feel it, and if it be a Fish, the moving of the Bait, will make him more ea­ger and greedy, he will then strike out and gorge it; whereas if he lay still and not stirr'd, he would very probably leave it. When you have raised your Bait so high towards the top, it may be within two or three foot, that you can perceive it to glister; you may then comfort your self with the hopes of a Pike that may rise at it, as he often does, and therefore it is not prudence to bee too hasty in taking out the Bite.

When a Pike is once stirr'd, he will lie as it were watching for the Bait, and catch gree­dily at it, if he does not see you; therefore you must be careful to keep a little distance upon the Bank, for they will often take it at the very top, and sometimes leap out of the Water at it; but they are then commonly so much affrighted that they will not be courted to Bite any more; you may Fish as close as you will, though it be not material whether you throw two or three times in one and the same place; for he is so hungry, that he usually imbraces the first op­portunity to lay hold upon his Feed.

Some there are that Troll with great Corks and Floats on their Line, which may do the best with the Ledger-Bait, though I never ap­prov'd of that way; for the Weeds will make the Flote dance as exactly as a Pike, except he bite very greedily, and so you may often be de­ceived in your expectation; sometimes I grant, you may distinguish and be sensible of your Bite if he runs with it, and especially up the Stream; but if he goes downwards and bites slowly, you cannot assure your self whether it be a Fish or a Weed. If a place be free from Weeds, you may make the best shift with a Cork; though you may be often mistaken when you lay a little too deep; for the Hook will draw along the bottom, and you will be ready to comfort your self with the hopes of Sport.

In some places they Troll without any Pole or any playing of the Bait, as I have seen them throw a Line out of a Boat, and so let it draw af­ter them as they Row forward; but that must needs be a careless and unsafe way, for though they may have Bites and Offers so, yet it must certainly check the Fish so much that he will never Pouch it; I cannot tell what Art they may have at the Snap, though it is very improbable to have any as they go to work, without either Pole or Stick.

Now besides them that are not indued with that excellent gift of Patience, there are some of our young Pretenders that have too much confidence or rather too little skill; these will stand an hour or two in one place, as immova­ble as the Trees they stand by, they are so im­portunate with the Fish, that they would force them to bite; and if there be never a Pike in the place where they are, they do their endeavou [...] to wait till one comes: these are indefatigable Crafts-men, which can weary the Fish soone [...] than themselves, and are neither discourage [...] with ill fortune, nor transported vvit [...] good.

As to the baiting the Hook with a Frog, [...] spoke nothing, because I never made that an [...] part of my practice; s [...]me Frogs are though [...] to be venemous, as the Land Frog, or that whic [...] breeds by Land; it is observ'd by some, that [...] [Page 57] Pike hath an Antipathy against this. And of these there are several sorts, some speckled, some greenish, which are the most dangerous to touch; these breed by flime and dust of the Earth, which turn to slime in Winter; and in Summer to a living Creature again. Cardan gives a reason for the raining of Frogs, which proceed from putrefaction, and are not supposed to be that sort of Frogs which engen­der in February or March, and breed in Ditches by slime and blackish Eggs. If you intend to Troll with a Frog, you must choose out of these the yellowest you can get; first then put your Hook into his Mouth, which you may do from May day to the end of August, afterwards some say his Mouth grows up, and so con [...]inues at least six Months without eating, and is su­stained, no one knows how (but the great Crea­tor.) Put in the arming Wyre in at 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 arming Wyre, or tye the Frogs Leg to the upper joynt of the Wire; use him gently and he will live the long­er: when you have thus baited it, you may fasten your Line to a bough, a bunch of flags, or a bundle of straw, and by the help of the wind they will more cross a Pond or Mere. Some will tye four or five live Baits to Bladders, and let them swim down the River, whilst they [Page 58] walk softly a long the shore. Others will fa­sten baits to Ducks or Geese, and so let them swim about the Pond; if there be store of Pikes you may see excellent sport this way, for some­times a great Pike will draw the Duck under the Water. This is the most proper to Fish with live Baits, and so to gage your Line with a Forked stick, with a nick or notch at one end of it, and put in Line enough for him to have his full liber­ty of Pouching. This is the ordinary way of Fish­ing after that manner, if you have none of the fore-spoken things to move your Bait.

CHAP. XII. How to strike a Pike and land him.

WHen you have diverted your self as long as you think good with the pleasure of a Bite, and can guess by the running of the Pike, what progress he hath made in his repaste, by his ranging about for more; you may then hook him with a small jerk, and so take your fill of your contented sport: for though vve say of a Pike as of a Thief, give him Rope enough and he will hang himself, yet a fine gentle stroak will do no harm, but rather secure him, and entangle him the faster: supposing then that he [Page 59] hath fed a little, you may observe what moti­ons he makes. If he takes the Bait greedily at bottom, and marches up the Stream with it, or strikes cross the River towards his hold, he will then probably lie still a little time, while he is Pouching, as you may feel him check and tug at it; from which place if he goes quick, you may let him alone a little longer, for you may come to lose all for want of two or three minutes forbearance: if he hath lain still a while the se­cond time and then runs with it, you may let him go with it still, if you have a desire to pro­long the Sport; if not, you may draw your Line streight, and with your Pole give him an easie stroke, and so feel him by degrees, till you come to see him; but if he makes much re­sistance and is very furious, let him have Line e­nough, and give him his full swing: he will be very angry at first, till he is better pacified by losing of his strength.

As soon as you strike him, you may conje­cture of what bigness he is, for if he be large you will find him strong and unruly in the Water; but if small and light, you can scarce tell whether you have any thing or not, or perhaps he may (for madness) leap out of the Water as soon as he is prick'd; but if he be a good one, at (I say) you may either see or feel him: you must be very cauti­ous, and take a great deal of care and diligence [Page 60] in getting him to shore; for if the River be broad and your Line short, you may very well lose him; for he will launch out with that extremity and violence, that though he can­not break the Line, yet he vvill tear his ovvn Entrails, if he be there hung.

Novv if a Fish takes your Bait at the top of the Water, and runs fiercely with it into the deep, and there lies still for some time, and you perceive that he does not Pouch it, your remedy for that is to stir him a little, to make him run and be more eager of it; then after he hath lain still and runs vvith it again, there is no great danger of losing that fish; for vvhen they leave it they commonly throvv it up at their first stage, that is the first time they lie still. Sometimes he will take it again after he hath left it, and run to his hold and play with it more than he did at first, shewing very good sport for a while, and and after all leave you in the lurch. A fish that takes it most greedily at the beginning, and carries it the furthest, does notwithstanding often forsake it; for as the proverb says, Nil violentum est diu­turnum. So a Pike that bites so eagerly at first, is too fierce to last; for it happens that he often leaves it: the only way to be even with such a Fish, is to take the Snap, and that may chance to stop his career.

Now when you have a Bite, and the Fish [Page 61] goes down the Stream with it, we are apt to conceive it is a small Jack; but on the contrary, if he sails slowly upwards with the Bait, it is a sign of a good one; for the greater sort bite more calmly and moderately than the less; for they snatch, and away with it without any care or deliberation: Old Fish are more wary and cunning, they are sooner taken with a Line laid for them all night, then by Trolling. It is something difficult to know of what size a Pike is, before he is Stricken, and therefore there's none but may be mistaken in their Conjectures; for an indifferent Fish, I mean about 20 or 22 Inches, will often make as good Sport as one twice as big, however before you strike him; but then generally the bigger the Pike is, the more delightful will the Sport be. Sometimes he will take the Bait very hastily, and run out to the length of your Line, and never lie still at all, but all along he will play up and down with it, till you think fit to strike him.

When the Water is clear and not very deep, you may see him rise at it and take it; so you may see the Bait glister as it lies cross his mouth; you may then see when he hath Pouch'd, and know your time to strike.

When you have first stricken him, you must be sure to have your Line ready and slack, that he may take as much liberty as he will; for when [Page 62] he finds himself gull'd, and trapan'd with the Hook, he will use all his might and cunning to give you the lose. As you feel him come easily towards you, you may be still drawing, till you feel him make resistance again, then you may let him have his swing, till the heat of his fury is over, then gather your Line to you a­gain, till he starts away, and if you can get him to the top, it will the sooner tire him; for the more he strives and throws himself from you the sooner he will be weary; after this manner by drawing him up and letting him loose again, you may tire him and tame him, till you bring him to your hand, and then he will lie so quiet­ly, that if the Hook was out, he could scarce strike off and get away.

If you have hung him in the Gills, you can­not lose him, though you pull him out by meer force and violence, but if it hang loosely either in his Gorge or his Throat, he may deceive you, though he destroys himself, leaving you part of his Guts on the Hook for a Legacy, and dying soon after of his received Wounds. When you have after all this divertisement brought him to the Bank, you will find something to do, be­fore you can confidently call him your own; for if you go unadvisedly to take him out, ei­ther by the Back or the Tail, or any part of his Body, though you think his best is past, and his dancing days are done, yet he may cut yo [...] [Page 63] another Capor; and if he has had a little breathing time, he may give another leap, when you do not expect it; the best way then, is to use fair means, and invite to the land by perswasions, not compulsions, taking him by the Head, and putting your fingers into his Eyes, which is the fastest hold. If the Water be low, so that the Bank rises some distance from it; you must not fear catching an Ague, by laying your Belly level with the ground, espe­cially if you have no contrivance to guide him outwards to a more commodious place: some will adventure to take him by the Gills, though [...]hat hold is neither so secure nor so safe for the Fisher; because the Fish in that heat of passion, may accidentally take revenge upon his Adver­ [...] [...]ry, by letting him blood in his Fingers, which way of Phlebotomizing is not esteemed so good, [...]ecause some are of opinion, that the Teeth of a Pike are Venemous, and those Wounds very [...]ifficult to be healed.

If there be Reeds and Shallows between you [...]nd the deep, or if the River be in that Ebbe that [...]ou cannot reach him to lay hands on him, you [...]ust contrive some other means to conduct him [...] a more convenient landing. You may have [...] Eye of that when you first strike him, looking [...]pwards and downwards, and forecasting for [...]our best advantage: but if it be all along so [...]eedy (as it is commonly in Ponds or Meres) [Page 64] that it will be so prejudical to your Sport, that you can have no conveniency of his safe arri­ving, by bringing him to your hand, you must then be content with the hopes of success, by committing your self unto the hands of fortune, having nothing to trust to at that juncture of time, but that which you may call the Fisher­mans luck. If you have as well debilitated his strength as tired his patience, you may proba­bly draw him out with no great reluctancy; e­specially if the Weeds be not so strong and friend­ly to their Watry Element, that they inter­pose themselves to part the fray between the Fish and the Fisher.

Those that are more nice and curious, then painful and industrious, have their Net ready by them, least their stooping might be inju­rous unto them: this Net (I suppose) is made in the fashion of a little Sparrow Net, with a long Trail, and a Pole at it, to translate Mr. Luci­us out of his own into the Airy Element.

This is a very quaint and delicate way of Trol­ling; such as use it must have their Attendants to assist them; that as the Philosopher said, Omnia mea mecum Porto. So they will have their Ser­vitors to carry their Implements and Tools after them; these are of more power on Shore, then in the Water, and have more Authority to com­mand their retinue by the Land, than the Fish in the Waters.

CHAP. XIII. How to preserve a River for Trolling.

THe way and means to preserve a River for your own Sport, is to secure it from all those Enemies that are hurtful and destructive to it. The first and greatest, which may be cal­led the Arch-Enemy, is the Drag, which is as unmerciful as an Epidemical Disease, that sweeps all into the dust; or as a greedy and co­vetous Monopolizer, engrosseth all into its own possessions, and so verifies the old Proverb, That all are Fish that come to that Net. Some there are that commend the following of the Drag to Troll immediately after it; these love to fish in troubled Waters, for they say, The Dragging the River, stirs up the Fish and makes them more ready to catch at their prey: I cannot applaud the practice of these, nor judge it any ways consentaneous to reason; for though it be confess'd that its an hard Battel where none escapes, and that the Drag like an Universal Distemper cuts off the major part, yet still there will be some left to renew their Spe­cies, which after a short time of quiet and for­bearance will multiply and replenish the Waters. [Page 66] This I suppose, if there was none to come in and succeed them in their place, as there are continually; though (I say) they may pro­pose these ends as encouragements to their Sport, yet they will find such a scarcity and diminu­tion among the Fish, that their pastime will be very cold and uncomfortable, having nothing to hope for or trust unto but those few Scape-Drags, which are only as the Gleanings when the Harvest is gone.

Another Enemy to the Sport is the Bow-Net, which though it be far more favourable and sparing, and of a far lower Classis than the Drag, yet it is by so much the more dangerous by how much it is private and undiscovered; for the Drag is a profess'd and a publick Foe, which gives some notice and intimation to avoid those places it hath lately cleansed; but the Bow Net is so close and secret a Murtherer, that it cunningly slays and leaves no visible Wound.

Another Plea there is that may be alledged for the Drag, which is this, that it is seldom used above once, sometimes not so often as once by the year; but the Bow-Net kills and de­stroys, spoils and plunders all the year long; the Spring time indeed is the fittest for it, when the Fish run and get into the Scoures; or else im­mediately after a Flood; to lay many of these in small Rivulets and Ditches, they that use them, [Page 67] may then make their Harvest of them, especi­ally after a Spring-flood.

The third Enemy that presents it self to be ta­ken notice of for avoiding, is the Stall or Tra­mel: a Net which is made up of great Mashes, as it is so much the more tolerable and allowa­ble, because it holds only the great Fish, and gives the lesser leave to escape. This Net is not so common, nor so much to be condemn'd as the Bow-Net, because it is usually assisting to the Drag. In Washes and back Dikes it may do good service, because there they may both draw it, and plunge on both sides it; but in the main River it can do no great Execution, but only set as a Stall to stop the Fish: In one respect it is very Murdering, because the Mashes are made so alike on both sides, that it takes the Fish which way soever they come. They that use this Sport, have commonly two to set at a little distance, and then they may meet, and take most that are between them.

As to the Cast-Net, it is rather a Friend and subservient to the Troll, than an Enemy to the Sport: for there is no way so good to take Baits as with that; because out of a multitude of Fish which it takes, you may have your choice of Baits. An Angle indeed may make a shift some­times in Summer, but that often takes either those that are too little or too big for Baits.

Again, a Cast-Net is helpful for the taking small Fry, to feed Pikes in a Pond or the like, so that it may be necessary and beneficial many ways. Those that use it as destructively as they can imagine, will not revenge themselves much upon the Pikes; they may kill many small Jacks with it in shallow Streams, but the great Fish that lie deep and close, are too secure from the narrow compass of a Cast-Net: It may chance to fall upon a great one sometimes, yet if there be any Weeds or Fog in the place, and the Net be not strong and well bulleted, as also the Caster very wary in drawing it up, the Pike will deceive the expectations of the Fisher. In a clear place, where there are no impedi­ments or obstructions, and the bottom smooth and level, it may haply enclose and draw up a good Pike; but where there are the least en­combrances to annoy the Net, it is to be sup­posed, the Fish will make his escape: The new sort of Nets that are hung with Chains instead of Bullets, are too light for this service.

Next to the Nets which kill by whole sale, the Trollers are often the greatest Enemies one to another, especially the way of the Ledger-Bait, which is very destructive to the Game, for that enticing way which they use with a live Bait, and laying such an Army of Hooks, must needs weaken the Forces of the Watry Mili­tia.

Dead Baits are not so pernicious, yet if they be too often used, they will much lessen the Fish; for at some seasons of the year they will bite almost till there is none left in the place: The way to favour it, is to be moderate, and not to beat a River too much or with too many Hooks; to Fish more for pleasure than for profit, and to come but once or twice in a Season to the same River.

The Snare may do some harm at the begin­ning of the year in a Sunny day and a clear Water, that is only for by-places and narrow Scoures.

One of the greatest Enemies is still to speak of, which must not be forgotten, because he is such a cunning and expert Fisher, that he generally preys upon only the greatest and the best Fish of all kinds. This is the Water-Dog, or Dog-Fisher, as some call him; which will walk five or ten Miles to a Pond in a Night, and some have disputed whether he be a Beast or a Fish: he can smell a Fish above an hundred yards from him, and then he devours them, and spoils more than he eats, leaving the Head and great part of the Back untouched. Gesner says, that his Stones are a good Remedy against the Falling Sickness; and that there is an Herb called Benione, which being hung in a Linnen Cloth near a Fish Pond or any haunt that he uses, it makes him to avoid the place. There is so many of them in a River in Cornwall, [Page 70] that Camden says the Name of it is called Otter­sey, from the abundance of Otters that there breed, and are fed in it. Though this amphi­bious Creature be chief Regent, and is Tri­umphant in the Waters, yet the greedy and audacious Pike, will sometimes set him at defi­ance, and is so bold as to give him Battel; as some have seen and observed it, that a Pike hath fought with an Otter for a Carp that he had gotten.

It would not be amiss for the Conservation of the Waters, to keep the fence Months, which are three at the Spring in Spawning-time, for if the taking the Dam on her Nest when she hatches her young, were a sin so much against Nature, that it was forbidden in the Old Law, certainly the taking Fish in the time of their Spawning may be something unlawful as well as unnatural.

Besides such unnatural Fishermen and all the Enemies before-mentioned, the Fish have many more, as the Bitterne, the Cormorant, the Osprey, the Sea-Gull, the Hern, the King-Fisher, and many others; which though they dare not make their prey upon the great Luce or Pike, yet they lessen the small Fry which should feed and su­stain the greater; and sometimes they may de­vour young Jacks and Pickerils.

CHAP. XIV. A Description of the Rivers.

THere are in the Kingdom of England and Wales 555 Rivers. I cannot conceive how the number jumps so equal, or comes to be so great; but that I suppose some small Brooks and Rivulets are taken in.

Now of those 555, England alone claims the greatest share, having in it 325, though there may not be so many main Streams which either have the denomination, or the fulness and capa­city of so vast a Current. As to their Diversities, is their Situations, their Distance and Remote­ness, or their Nearness and Vicinity to the Sea; so they are different both in the qualities of their Water, as also their various kinds and species of Fishes.

Those that have a more immediate intercourse with the Ocean, partake of its Influences, and have the same Vicissitudes, the same Fluxes, and Refluxes, the same Salt Water, and the same [Page 72] Scaly Army attends them which rules and bears sway under Neptunes Government: These are too deep to be fathom'd by the short Cordage of a Line, and therefore cannot be brought within the compass of our designed Treatise. Those that are more in-land and farther distant from the common Receptacle of Waters, may be brought into the Lists, and fall under the Notion of our intended Subject.

To begin then with the nearest, and to set forth the praises our Native Countrey, we may prefer the Neighbouring Avon, which hath afforded opportunities for our frequent Visits, and may challenge the greatest share of our own experience.

This River consists chiefly of Pike and Perch, some good Bream, few Carpe, Chevins, Gudgeon, Roches, &c. and very good Eel; it is a clear, fine Stream, in most places broad, and very deep. Some call it by the Name of Nine, be­cause it hath its Original from Nine Fountains, though I cannot discover above five Rivulets that flow in to the increasing of it: Springs in­deed there are many, that joyn Forces to aug­ment it, the first of which arises about Daven­tree.

There are several other Rivers that go by [Page 73] the Name of Avon, one of which takes its course through the middle of Warwick­shire.

The next in order to Avon is Welland, which may claim the second place in our Description, having much encouraged our Diversions, and contributed very freely towards the perfecting and compleating of this Art.

These two, like loving Sisters, meet and salute each other at Crowland, and then part again. The Welland cannot boast of that store and plen­ty of Fish as her Neighbour Avon; with Pike and smaller Perch she is abundantly furnish'd, many Bream of a middle size, store of Chubs, Dace, Gudgeons, Eels, &c. She hath many turns and windings in her Current, which makes her the more Commodious for Trolling, though slow in running; so that after a great Flood, there will be no Fishing for a long time.

The Third, and next to these, is the Ouse in Bedfordshire, a fair River and full of Fish, much the same as that of Avon, a good Trolling River.

From thence to the famed Cham, which gives Name to our Mother Academia; for Historiaus and Antiquaries say, That by setting a [Page 74] Bridge over Cham, it was called Cam­bridge.

This River is broad but shallow, and is not so Commodious for the Troll as the Cast-Net; here are many Gudgeons, Ruffs, small Jacks, some Trout and Chub; great part of it is Navigable; and therefore not so favourable for our Sport, not only because the sailing of the Vessels much disturbs and thickens the Waters with their Oars and Spreads, but because those continual mo­tions that keep the Water from settling, keep the Weeds from growing, which might harbour and shelter the Fish from the violence of Nets. The Stream of this Cham is somewhat Rapid and Velocious, both by reason of the shallowness of it, as also the level and streightness of it; it having but few Pits and Crooks which might render it serviceable for our Recreation. How­ever if its Fountains cannot send forth such Wa­ters, that will multiply and generate Fishes to furnish the Adjacent Countries, yet from that ancient Scource of Liberal Arts and Pious Lite­rature, have flowed full Streams of Learned Sci­ences, which have refined all parts and corners of this Land.

Next to this Seminary of good Education, may we place her Sister Oxonia the other Nurse and Breast of Learning: This, as well as the [Page 75] other, hath the denomination from the River the Foord of Oxen; or as some derive it Ox­ford, quasi Ouseford, from the River Ouse adjoyn­ing to it.

From thence we hasten to the River Swift, whether so called from the swiftness and velo­city of its motion, is disputable; it waters and washeth Lutterworth in Leicester shire, and then kindly greets the greater Avon.

The renowned Trent is generally known, being remarkable in the very Name and Deri­vation, which some have it called from Tri­ginta, because it is stor'd with Thirty sorts of Fishes. If that be true, she must certainly bor­row some of her Mothers Brood, the Salt Off-spring of the Sea; since there are not so many distinct kinds of Fishes that have their being and habitation in the Fresh Waters.

Bordering to this, is the Capacious Hum­ber, and many more spreading through the Northern Climate, the most Antient of which, is the greater Ouse, Commodious for Enrich­ing the City of York. Some say, Humber is not a distinct River of its self, but only the Mouth and Aestuarium of diverse Rivers here confluent and meeting together, as Youre, Darwent, especially Ouse and Trent, which there changeth its Name.

More Northerly still is the noted Tweed, on whose Bank is seated the Impregnable Town of Berwick.

The River Tine, so famous for New-Castle, and her Inexhaustible Coal Pits. Kent boasts much of her Princely Medway, famous for harbouring the Royal Navy.

Swift-running Severne is a special Glory and Ornament to the Ciry Glocester, then which (says an Ancient Author) there is not any for Channel broader, for Stream swifter, or for Fish better stored. There is in it a dai­ly rage and fury of Waters, which may be called a Gulph or Whirl-pool of Waves, raising up the Sand from the bottom, winding and driving upon great heaps; sometimes she over­floweth her Banks, and roveth a great way up­on the face of her Bordering grounds, and a­gain retireth as Conqueror into her usual Chan­nels; unhappy is the Vessel which she taketh full upon the sides; for if the VVatermen are aware of it, they turn the Vessel upon it, and cut through the middest of it, whereby they check, and avoid that violence and danger: she is called Sabrina, from the name of a Maid that was there drowned.

There are many noted Rivers in Darbyshire, [Page 77] Lancashire, Devonshire, Shropshire, &c. the Description of which would be fit for a larger Volum, and cannot be reduced into this E­pitome.

The most considerable of them all may be summ'd up, and comprehended in these follow­ing Verses.