The School of Recreation Part 6

_Shad_, _Thwait_, _Plaice_, _Peel_, _Mullet_, _Suant_ and _Flownder_, covet chiefly to be in or near the Salt or Brackish Waters, which ebb and flow: The last, _viz._ the _Flownder_, have been taken in fresh Rivers, as coveting Sand and Gravel, deep gentle streams, near Banks, _&c._

Lastly the _Umber_ affects Marly Clay Ground, clear and swift Streams, far from the Sea; the greatest Plenty of these Fish is found in _Derbys.h.i.+re_ and _Staffords.h.i.+re_.

Thus much for the _Haunts_ of Fish; I come next to know _When_ is the most _seasonable time_ to catch them; which before I speak to, let him that would become a compleat Angler, take this Rule. That he observe narrowly what Pond or River soever he fisheth in, whether it be slimy, muddy, stoney or gravelly; whether of a swift or slow Motion; As likewise that he know the Nature of each Fish, and what Baits are most proper for every kind: Not to let his Knowledg be circ.u.mscribed to one or two particular Rivers, whither he is invited to Angle and take his Observations by the Vicinity of his House; but to let his Knowledge be _general_, and consequently his Sport will be so too. His Ignorance otherwise will oblige him to be a Spectator in another River, when his Excellency is confined to that only experienced one in or near his own Parish or House. But to proceed,

II. To understand the best _Time when_ to Angle in, We must first consider Affirmatively, when most _Seasonable_: Or, 2. Negatively, when _Unseasonable_.

1. _Seasonable_ Angling is, When the Weather is calme, serene and clear; tho the Cool cloudy Weather in Summer is to be preferred, provided the Wind blow not too boistrously, to hinder your easy Guiding your Tools; In the hottest Months the cooler the better.

2. When a Violent shower hath disturbed the Water and mudded it, then with a _Red Worm_, Angle in the Stream at the ground.

3. A little before Fish sp.a.w.n, when they repair to Gravely Fords to rub and loosen their full Bellies; they bite freely.

4. From Sun-rising till eight of the Clock in the Morning, and from four in the Afternoon till night for _Carp_ and _Tench_. In _June_ and _July_, _Carps_ shew themselves on the very rim of the Water, then Fish with a _Lob-Worm_, as you would with a Natural Flye. But be sure to keep out of sight.

5. In _March_, _April_, and _September_, and all _VVinter_, when the Air is clear, serene and warm. And after a showre of Rain, which hath only beaten the _Gnats_, and _Flies_ into the _River_, without muddying. The two first mentioned Months with _May_, and part of _June_, are most proper for the _Fly_; _Nine_ in the Morning, and _Three_ a Clock in the Afternoon, is the best time; as likewise, when the _Gnats_ play much in a warm Evening.

6. In a _Cloudy_, and _VVindy_ day, after a _Moon-s.h.i.+ne_ clear Night, for the brightness of the Night (through fear) making them abstain from feeding, and the Gloominess of the Day emboldening and rendering them (through Hunger) sharp, and eager upon food, they bite then freely.

7. _Lastly_, At the opening of _Mill-dams_ or _Sluces_, you will find _Trouts_, &c. come forth seeking food, brought down by the Water. We come next to demonstrate the time not proper, _i. e._

2. _Unseasonable_ Angling in short is, When the Earth is parched, and scorched with Vehement _Heat_, and _Drought_; benummed and frozen with _Cold_, _Frost_, and _Snow_; or refrigerated with Spring _h.o.a.r-Frosts_; or blasted with the sharp, bitter, nipping, _North_, or _East_ Winds: Or when bl.u.s.tring _Boreas_ disorders your well guiding your Tackling; or the _Sheep-Shearers Was.h.i.+ngs_ glutted the _Fish_, and antic.i.p.ated your _Bait_; when the withdrawing of your sport, foretells a Storm, and advises you to some shelter; or Lastly, when the night proves Dark, and Cloudy, you need not trouble your self the next day, 'tis to no purpose, _&c._

Thus much shall suffice for the two first Parts I proposed to treat of, _viz._ What we seek after in this Recreation, and Where, and When to find it; I come next to speak of the several _Implements_, and _Tackling_ we ought to be provided with, for the prosecuting the same; and then to our Sport.

III. For providing _Stocks_, the best time is the Winter _Solstice_, when the Sap is in the Roots of Trees, and their Leaves gone. It is improper after _January_, the Sap then ascending into the Trunk, and expanding it self over all the Branches. See that your Stocks be _Taper-grown_, and your Tops of the best _Ground-Hazle_, that can be had, smooth, slender, and straight, of an Ell-long, pliant, and bending; and yet of a strength, that a reasonable jerk cannot break it, but it will return to its first straightness; lest otherwise you endanger your Line. Keep them two full years, before you use them; having preserved them from Worm-eating, or Rotting, by thrice a year rubbing and chaffing them well with b.u.t.ter (if sweet) or Linsed or Sallet-Oyl; and if Bored, Oyl poured into the Holes, and bathed four and twenty houres in it, and then thrown out again, will exceedingly preserve them.

But why should I further trouble my self with prescribing any Rules for the ordering the Angle-Rod, since every Cane-shop in _London_ will furnish us at an easy rate, with Rods of Cane, that shall suit with the sport we designe; the usual Objection of their _Colour_ and Stiffness being taken away, the first by covering it with Parchment or thin Leather, dyed as you please; and the other by the length and strength of the Top, being as before.

The next thing we come to prepare is the _Line_, which though easy, yet admits of some Rule; wherefore to make it neat, handsome and strong, twist the Hair you make it of _even_, having seen if the Hair be of an equal bigness; then steep your Line in Water, to see if the Hairs shrink, if so, you must twist them over again. The _Colour_ of the Hair is best of _Sorrel_, _White_ and _Grey_; Sorrel for muddy boggy Rivers, and the two last for clear Waters. Nor is the _Pale watry green_ contemptible, dyed thus: Take a pint of strong _Ale_, half a pound of _Soot_, a little of the Juice of _Walnut-Leaves_ and _Allum_; Boyle these together in a Pipkin half an hour, take it off, and when 'tis cold, put in your Hair. In making your Line of Hair mix not Silk; but either all Hair, or all Silk; as likewise distinguish the Line for the Ground Angle, and that for the Fly-Rod, the last must be stronger than the first; in that for the Artificial Fly, making the uppermost Link twenty Hairs long, less in the next, and so less till you come to the Fly. Lastly at each end of your Line make a Loop (called a _Bow_) the one _Larger_, to fasten to, and take it from the top of your Rod, and the other _Lesser_ to hang your Hook-line on.

Your _Hook_ comes next, and requires your Care, That it be Long in the shank, something Round in compa.s.s, the point straight and even, and bending in the shank. Set on your Hook with strong small Silk, laying your Hair on the inside of the Hook.

Your _Flote_ challenges divers wayes of making. Some using _Muscovy_ Duck-quills for still Waters. Others the best sound Cork without flaws or holes, bored through with a hot Iron, and a Quill of a fit proportion put into it; then pared into a pyramidal Form, or in the fas.h.i.+on of a small Peare, to what bigness you please, and ground smooth with a Grindstone or Pumice; this is best for strong Streams.

In fine, _To plum the Ground_, get a _Carbine_ Bullet bored through, and in a strong twist hanged on your _Hook_ or Rod. To sharpen your _Hook_, carry a little _Whetstone_. To carry your several Utensils without incommoding your Tackle, have several _Part.i.tions_ of Parchment. And in short the Ingenious Angler will not be unprovided of his _Bob_ and _Palmer_; his _Boxes_ of all sizes for his _Hooks_, _Corks_, _Silk_, _Thread_, _Flies_, _Lead_, &c. His _Linnen_ and _Woollen Bait-Bags_; His splinted _Osier light Pannier_; And lastly his _Landing Hook_, with a Screw at the end to screw it into the socket of a Pole, & stricken into the Fish, to draw it to Land: To which socket, a Hook to cut up the Weeds, and another to pull out Wood, may be fastned.

But all those Implements I have described, serve to no purpose, if we do not observe to have the _Agents_ and Effecters of our Pastime in store, I mean proper _Baits_ and Inticements to take your Fish. Which branch themselves into three Kinds.

First, The _Life-baits_, which are all kind of _Worms_, _Redworm_, _Maggot_, _Dors_, _Froggs_, _Bobb_, _Brown-Flies_, _Grashoppers_, _Hornets_, _Wasps_, _Bees_, _Snails_, small _Roaches_, _Bleak_, _Gudgeon_, or _Loaches_.

Secondly, _Artificial living Baits_, of _Flyes_ of all sorts and shapes, made about your Hooks with Silk and Feathers, at all times seasonable, especially in bl.u.s.tering Weather.

Lastly, _Dead Baits_, Pasts of all maings, Wasps dryed or undryed, clotted _Sheeps-blood_, _Cheese_, _Bramble-berries_, _Corn_, _Seeds_, _Cherries_, &c. The two first good in _May_, _June_ and _July_, the two next in _April_; and the last in the _Fall_ of the Leaf.

_Of Flies._

Of _Natural_ Flies there are innumerable, and therefore it cannot be expected I can particularize all; but some of their Names I shall nominate, _viz._ The _Dun-Fly_, _Red-Fly_, _May-Fly_, _Tawny-Fly_, _Moor-Fly_, _Sh.e.l.l-Fly_, _Flag-Fly_, _Vine-Fly_, _Cloudy_ or _Blackish-Fly_, _Canker-Flies_, _Bear-Flies_, _Caterpillars_, and thousands more, differing according to the Soiles, Rivers or Plants.

_Artificial Flies_, are made by the ingenious Angler, according to Art, in shape, colour and proportion like the Natural Fly, of _Fur_, _Wool_, _Silk_, _Feathers_, &c. To delineate which I must confess my self not so accurate and skilful a Painter, nor can any Pen-drawing ill.u.s.trate their Various Colours so, as to direct their Artificial Counterfeit; Nature will help him in this by Observation, curiously Flouris.h.i.+ng their several Orient and bright Colours, after which they take their names, as before said: And therefore to furnish your self with both Natural and Artificial _Flyes_, repair in the morning to the River, and with a Rod beat the Bushes that hang over the Water, and take your Choice; This is a Rule whereby you may know by their Number what _Fly_ the Fish affect most, and accordingly to use it; taking with you these following Directions.

1. Observe to Angle with the Artificial _Fly_ in Rivers disturbed somewhat by Rain, or in a Cloudy day, the Wind blowing gently: If the Wind be not so high, but you may well guide your Tackle, in plain Deeps is to be found the best Fish, and best Sport: If small Wind breeze, in swift streams is best Angling: Be sure to keep your _Fly_ in perpetual slow motion; and observe that the Weather suit the Colour of your _Fly_, as the light Colour'd in a Clear day, the Darkish in a dark, _&c._ As likewise according to the Waters Complexions, have your Fly suitable.

2. Let your Line be twice as long as your Rod: Keep as far as you can from the Waterside, the Sun on your back; In casting your Fly, let that fall first; your Line not touching the Water.

3. Have a nimble Eye, and active quick Hand to strike presently upon the rising of the Fish, lest finding his mistake he spew out the Hook.

4. In slow Rivers cast your Fly cross them, let it sink a little, draw it back gently, without breaking or circling the Water; let the Fly float with the Current, and you will not fail of excellent Sport.

5. Observe to let the Wings of your _Salmon-Flys_ to be one behind another, whether two or four, and they and the Tail long, and of the finest gaudiest Colours you can choose.

_Lastly_, In clear Rivers a small _Fly_ with slender Wings is best, and in muddied Rivers a Fly of a more than Ordinary large Body.

Thus much for Flies, I come next to that I called _Dead-Baits_, and shall begin with the several Wayes of making Pastes.

_Of Pastes._

1. Beat in a Mortar the Leg of a young _Coney_ (Vulgarly called the _Almond_) or of a Whelp or Catling, and a quant.i.ty of Virgins Wax and _Sheeps_ suet, till they are incorporated, and temper them with clarified _Honey_ into Paste.

2. _Sheeps_ Blood, _Cheese_, fine _Manchet_ and clarified _Honey_ tempered as before.

3. _Sheeps_-Kidney-Suet, _Cheese_, fine Flower, with clarified _Honey_ tempered.

4. _Cherries_, _Sheeps_ Blood, _Saffron_ and fine _Manchet_ made into a Paste.

5. Beat into a Paste; the fattest Old _Cheese_, the strongest _Rennet_ can be got, fine _Wheat-flower_ and _Annis-seed_ Water: If for a _Chub_ you make the Paste, put a little rafty _Bacon_.

Lastly, _Mutton_-Kidney Suet, and _Turmerick_ reduced to a fine Powder, the fattest old _Cheese_ and strongest _Rennet_, wrought to a Paste, adding _Turmerick_, till the Paste be of a curious Yellow; and is excellent and approved for _Chevin_.

All which Pastes when you use them, that you may have the desired Effects of your Pains infallibly follow, anoint your Bait with this Confection: Take the Oyl of _Aspray_, _Coculus India_, and _a.s.sa Ftida_ beaten, and mix with it as much Life-_Honey_; then dissolve them in the Oyle of _Polypody_, and keep it in a close Gla.s.s for your use. And that your Paste may not wash off your Hook, beat Cotten-Wool or Flax into it.

_Of keeping Baits._

For the keeping and preserving all quick Baits, you must keep them separately as they are several, not altogether; and feed them with that they most delight in; as for instance, in short:

The _Red-Worm_, must be kept in a bag of Red Cloth, with a handful of chopt _Fennel_, mixt with half so much fresh, black and fertile Mould, will scoure and preserve them: All other Worms, with the Leaves of Trees they are bred on, renewing them often in a day. Only the _Cad-bait_, _Bob_ and _Canker_, &c. must be kept in the same things you find them.

The great _White Maggots_, keep them in Sheeps-Tallow, or little bits of a beasts Liver; and to scoure them, hang them warm in a bag of Blanketing with Sand.

The _Frogs and Gra.s.shoppers_, in wet Moss and long Gra.s.s, frequently moistned; and when used, the Legs of the first, and the Wings of the other must be cut close off.

The _Flies_ use them as you take them. Only the _Wasps_, _Hornets_ and _Humble-Bee_, must be dryed in an Oven, their heads dipt in Sheeps blood, and dryed again, may be kept in a Box for use.

Thus much shall suffice for the Anglers Tools and Baits, I shall now lead him to his Sport, having first Clad himself with all inward and outward Ornaments.