CHAP. V. (WALTON-E3-P2,237.3)
More Directions how to Fish for , and how to make for the
Trout an Artificial Minnow , and
Flies , with some Merriment . (WALTON-E3-P2,237.6)
Pisc. Well met Brother Peter ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.8)
I heard you and a friend would lodge here to night ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.9)
and that hath made me to bring my Friend to lodge here too .
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.10)
My Friend is one that would fain be a Brother of the Angle
, (WALTON-E3-P2,237.11)
he hath been an Angler but this day ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.12)
and I have taught him how to catch a Chub by daping with
a Grasshopper , (WALTON-E3-P2,237.13)
and the Chub he caught was a lusty one of nineteen
inches long . (WALTON-E3-P2,237.14)
But pray Brother Peter who is your companion ?
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.15)
Peter . Brother Piscator , my friend is
an honest Country-man , (WALTON-E3-P2,237.16)
and his name is Coridon , (WALTON-E3-P2,237.17)
and he is a downright witty companion that met me here purposely to be
pleasant and eat a Trout , (WALTON-E3-P2,237.18)
And I have not yet wetted my Line since we met together :
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.19)
but I hope to fit him with a Trout for his breakfast ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.20)
for $I $'ll {TEXT:I'le} be early up . (WALTON-E3-P2,237.21)
Pisc. Nay Brother , you shall not stay so long :
(WALTON-E3-P2,237.22)
for look you here is a Trout will fill six reasonable bellies .
(WALTON-E3-P2,238.23)
Come Hostess , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.24)
dress it presently , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.25)
and get us what other meat the house will afford ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,238.26)
and give us some of your best Barly-wine , the good
liquor that our honest Fore-fathers did use to drink of ; the drink
which preserved their health , and made them live so long , and to do
so many good deeds . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.27)
Peter . O' my word this Trout is perfect
in season . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.28)
Come , I thank you , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.29)
and here is a hearty draught to you , and to all the brothers of the
Angle wheresoever they be , and to my young brothers good fortune to
morrow : (WALTON-E3-P2,238.30)
I will furnish him with a Rod , if you will furnish him with the rest
of the Tackling ; (WALTON-E3-P2,238.31)
we will set him up and make him a Fisher . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.32)
And I will tell him one thing for his encouragement , that his fortune
hath made him happy to be Scholar to such a Master ; a Master that
knows as much both-2 of the nature and breeding of fish as any man :
and can also tell him as well how to catch and cook them , from the
Minnow to the Salmon , as any that I ever
met withall . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.33)
Pisc. Trust me , brother Peter ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,238.34)
I find my Scholar to be so sutable to my own humour , which is to be
free and pleasant , and civilly merry , that my resolution is to hide
nothing that I know from him . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.35)
Believe me , Scholar , this is my resolution ; (WALTON-E3-P2,238.36)
and so $here $'s {TEXT:here's} to you a hearty draught , and to all
that love us , and the honest Art of Angling . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.37)
Ven. Trust me , good Master , you shall not sow your
seed in barren ground , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.38)
for I hope to return you an increase answerable to your hopes ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,238.39)
but however you shall find me obedient , and thankful , and serviceable
to my best abilitie . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.40)
Pisc. $'T $is {TEXT:'Tis} enough , honest Scholar ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,238.41)
come (WALTON-E3-P2,238.42)
$let $'s {TEXT:lets} to supper . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.43)
Come my friend Coridon , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.44)
this Trout looks lovely , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.45)
it was twentie two inches when it was taken , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.46)
and the belly of it looked some part of it as yellow as a Marigold ,
and part of it as white as a lilly , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.47)
and yet $me $thinks {TEXT:methinks} it looks better in this good sawce
. (WALTON-E3-P2,238.48)
Cor. Indeed honest friend , it looks well ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,238.49)
and tastes well , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.50)
I thank you for it , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.51)
and so doth my friend Peter , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.52)
or else he is to blame . (WALTON-E3-P2,238.53)
Pet. Yes , and so I do , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.54)
we all thank you , (WALTON-E3-P2,238.55)
and when we have supt , I will get my friend Coridon
to sing you a Song for requital . (WALTON-E3-P2,239.56)
Cor. I will sing a song , if any body will sing another
; (WALTON-E3-P2,239.57)
else , to be plain with you , I will sing none :
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.58)
I am none of those that sing for meat , but for company :
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.59)
I say , $'T $is {TEXT:Tis} merry in Hall , when men sing all .
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.60)
Pisc. $I $'ll {TEXT:I'l} promise you $I $'ll {TEXT:I'l}
sing a song that was lately made at my request , by Mr. William
Basse , one that hath made the choice songs of the
Hunter in his cariere , and of Tom of Bedlam ,
and many others of note ; (WALTON-E3-P2,239.61)
and this that I will sing is in praise of Angling .
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.62)
Cor. And then mine shall be the praise of a Country mans
life : (WALTON-E3-P2,239.63)
What will the rest sing of ? (WALTON-E3-P2,239.64)
Pet. I will promise you , I will sing another song in
praise of Angling to morrow night , (WALTON-E3-P2,239.65)
for we will not part till then , but Fish to morrow , and sup together
, and the next day every man leave Fishing , and fall to his businesse
. (WALTON-E3-P2,239.66)
Venat. $'T $is {TEXT:'Tis} a match ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.67)
and I will provide you a Song or a Catch against then too , which shall
give some addition of mirth to the company ; (WALTON-E3-P2,239.68)
for we will be civil and as merry as beggers . (WALTON-E3-P2,239.69)
Pisc. $'T $is {TEXT:'Tis} a match my Masters ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.70)
$let $'s {TEXT:lets} ev'n say Grace , and turn to the fire , drink the
other cup to wet our whistles , and so sing away all sad thoughts .
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.71)
Come on my Masters , (WALTON-E3-P2,239.72)
who begins ? (WALTON-E3-P2,239.73)
I think it is best to draw cuts , and avoid contention .
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.74)
Pet. It is a match . (WALTON-E3-P2,239.75)
Look , the shortest cut falls to Coridon .
(WALTON-E3-P2,239.76)
Cor. Well then , I will begin , (WALTON-E3-P2,239.77)
for I hate contention . (WALTON-E3-P2,239.78)
{COM:song_omitted}
Pisc. Well sung Coridon ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,241.81)
this song was sung with mettle ; (WALTON-E3-P2,241.82)
and it was choicely fitted to the occasion ; (WALTON-E3-P2,241.83)
I shall love you for it as long as I know you ; (WALTON-E3-P2,241.84)
I would you were a brother of the Angle , (WALTON-E3-P2,241.85)
for a companion that is chearful , and free from swearing and
scurrilous discourse , is worth gold . (WALTON-E3-P2,241.86)
I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon one
another next morning ; nor men that $can $not {TEXT:cannot}
well bear it to repent the money they spend when they be
warmed with drink : (WALTON-E3-P2,241.87)
and take this for a rule , (WALTON-E3-P2,241.88)
You may pick out such times and such companies , that you may make your
selves merrier for a little than a great deal of money ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,241.89)
for $'T $is {TEXT:Tis} the company and not the charge that makes
the feast : (WALTON-E3-P2,241.90)
and such a companion you prove , (WALTON-E3-P2,241.91)
I thank you for it . (WALTON-E3-P2,241.92)
But I will not complement you out of the debt that I owe you ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,241.93)
and therefore I will begin my Song and wish it may be so well liked .
(WALTON-E3-P2,241.94)
{COM:song_omitted}
Cor. Well sung (WALTON-E3-P2,243.97)
brother , you have paid your debt in good coin , (WALTON-E3-P2,243.98)
we Anglers are all beholding to the good man that made this Song .
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.99)
Come Hostess , (WALTON-E3-P2,243.100)
give us more Ale , (WALTON-E3-P2,243.101)
and $let $'s {TEXT:lets} drink to him . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.102)
And now $let $'s {TEXT:lets} every one go to bed that we may rise early
; (WALTON-E3-P2,243.103)
but first $let $'s {TEXT:lets} pay our reckoning ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.104)
for I will have nothing to hinder me in the morning ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.105)
for my purpose is to prevent the Sun-rising . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.106)
Pet. A match ; (WALTON-E3-P2,243.107)
Come Coridon , (WALTON-E3-P2,243.108)
you are to be my Bed-fellow : (WALTON-E3-P2,243.109)
I know , brother , you and your Scholar will lie together ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.110)
but where shall we meet to morrow night ? (WALTON-E3-P2,243.111)
for my friend Coridon and I will go up the water towards
Ware . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.112)
Pisc. And my Scholar and I will go down towards
Waltham . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.113)
Cor. Then $let $'s {TEXT:lets} meet here ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.114)
for here are fresh sheets that smell of Lavender ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.115)
and I am sure we $can $not {TEXT:cannot} expect better meat , or better
usage in any place . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.116)
Pet. $'T $is {TEXT:'Tis} a match .
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.117)
Good night to every body . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.118)
Pisc. And so say I . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.119)
Venat. And so say I . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.120)
Pisc. Good morrow good Hostess , I see my brother
Peter is still in bed : (WALTON-E3-P2,243.121)
Come give my Scholar and me a Morning-drink , and a bit of meat to
breakfast , (WALTON-E3-P2,243.122)
and be sure to get a good dish of meat or two against supper ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,243.123)
for we shall come home as hungry as Hawks . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.124)
Come Scholar , (WALTON-E3-P2,243.125)
$let $'s {TEXT:lets} be going . (WALTON-E3-P2,243.126)
Venat. Well now , good Master , as we walk towards the
River give me direction , according to your promise , how I
shall fish for a Trout . (WALTON-E3-P2,244.127)
Pisc. My honest Scholar , I will take this very
convenient opportunity to do it . (WALTON-E3-P2,244.128)
The Trout is usually caught with a worm or a Minnow ,
which some call a Penk or with a
flie , viz. either a natural or an
artificial flie : concerning which three I will give you some
observations and directions . (WALTON-E3-P2,244.129)
And first for Worms : Of these there be very many sorts ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,244.130)
some breed only in the earth , as the Earth-worm ;
others of or amongst Plants , as the Dug-worm ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,244.131)
and others breed either out of excrements , or in the bodies of living
creatures , as in the horns of Sheep or Deer ; or some of dead flesh ,
as the Maggot or gentle , and others .
(WALTON-E3-P2,244.132)
Now these be most of them particularly good for particular Fishes :
(WALTON-E3-P2,244.133)
but for the Trout the dew-worm ,
which some also call the Lob-worm and the
Brandling are the chief ; (WALTON-E3-P2,244.134)
and especially the first for a great Trout , and the latter for a less
. (WALTON-E3-P2,244.135)
There be also of Lob-worms some called
squirrel-tailes , a worm that has a red head , a streak
down the back and a broad tail which are noted to be the best
, because they are the toughest and most lively , and live longest in
the water : (WALTON-E3-P2,244.136)
for you are to know , that a dead worm is but a dead bait and like to
catch nothing , compared to a lively , quick , stirring worm :
(WALTON-E3-P2,244.137)
and for a Brandling , he is usually found in an old
dunghil , or some very rotten place near to it : but most usually in
Cow-dung , or hogs-dung , rather than horse-dung , which is somewhat
too hot and dry for that worm . (WALTON-E3-P2,244.138)
But the best of them are to be found in the bark of the Tanners
which they cast up in heaps after they have used it about their leather
. (WALTON-E3-P2,245.139)
There are also divers other kinds of worms which for colour and shape
alter even as the ground out of which they are got : as the
marsh-worm , the tag-tail , the flag-worm
, the dock-worm , the oakworm ,
the gilt-tayle , the twachel or
lob-worm which of all others is the most excellent bait
for a Salmon and too many to name , even as
many sorts , as some think there be of several hearbs or shrubs , or of
several kinds of birds in the air ; of which I shall say no more , but
tell you , that what worms soever you fish with , are the better for
being well scowred , that is long kept , before they be used ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,245.140)
and in case you have not been so provident , then the way to cleanse
and scowr them quickly , is to put them all night in water , if they be
Lob-worms , and then put them into your bag with fennel
: (WALTON-E3-P2,245.141)
but you must not put your Brandlings above an hour in water , and then
put them into fennel for suddain use : (WALTON-E3-P2,245.142)
but if you have time and purpose to keep them long , then they be best
preserved in an earthen pot with good store of Mosse ,
which is to be fresh every three or four dayes in Summer , and every
week or eight dayes in Winter : or at least the mosse taken from them ,
and clean washed , and wrung betwixt your hands till it be dry ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,245.143)
and then put it to them again . (WALTON-E3-P2,245.144)
And when your worms , especially the Brandling , begins to be sick ,
and lose of his bigness , then you may recover him , by putting a
little milk or cream about a spoonful in a day into
them by drops on the mosse ; (WALTON-E3-P2,245.145)
and if there be added to the cream $an {TEXT:as} egge beaten and boiled
in it , then it will both fatten and preserve them long .
(WALTON-E3-P2,245.146)
And note , that when the knot , which is near to the
middle of the brandling begins to swell , then he is
sick , and , if he be not well look'd to , is near dying .
(WALTON-E3-P2,245.147)
And for mosse , you are to note , that there be divers kinds of it ,
which I could name to you , (WALTON-E3-P2,245.148)
but will onely tell you , that that which is likest a Bucks-Horn
is the best , except it be soft white moss , which
grows on some heaths , and is hard to be found . (WALTON-E3-P2,246.149)
And note , that in a very dry time , when you are put to an extremity
for worms , Walnut-tree leaves squeez'd into water , or salt in water ,
to make it bitter or salt , and then that water poured on the ground ,
where you shall see worms are used to rise in the night , will make
them to appear above ground presently . (WALTON-E3-P2,246.150)
And you may take notice some say that Camphire put into
your bag with your mosse and worms , gives them a strong and so
tempting a smell , that the fish fare the worse and you the better for
it . (WALTON-E3-P2,246.151)
And now , I shall shew you how to bait your hook with a worm , so as
shall prevent you from much trouble , and the loss of many a hook too ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,246.152)
when you Fish for a Trout with a running line : that is
to say , when you fish for him by hand at the ground , I will direct
you in this as plainly as I can , that you may not mistake .
(WALTON-E3-P2,246.153)
Suppose it be a big Lob-worm , (WALTON-E3-P2,246.154)
put your hook into him somewhat above the middle , and out again a
little below the middle : (WALTON-E3-P2,246.155)
having so done , draw your worm above the arming of your hook ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,246.156)
but note that at the entring of your hook it must not-1 be at the
head-end of the worm , but at the tail-end of him , that the
point of your hook may come out toward the head-end
(WALTON-E3-P2,246.157)
and having drawn him above the arming of your hook , then put the point
of your hook into the very head of the worm , till it come near to the
place where the point of the hook first came out :
(WALTON-E3-P2,246.158)
and then draw back that part of the worm that was above the shank or
arming of your hook , (WALTON-E3-P2,246.159)
and so fish with it . (WALTON-E3-P2,246.160)
And if you mean to fish with two worms , then put the second on before
you turn back the hooks-head of the first worm ; (WALTON-E3-P2,246.161)
you $can $not {TEXT:cannot} lose above two or three worms before you
attain to what I direct you ; (WALTON-E3-P2,246.162)
and having attain'd it , you will find it very useful , and thank me
for it : (WALTON-E3-P2,246.163)
For you will run on the ground without tangling .
(WALTON-E3-P2,246.164)
Now for the Minnow or Penk , he is not
easily found and caught till March , or in April
, (WALTON-E3-P2,246.165)
for then he appears first in the River , Nature having taught him to
shelter and hide himself in the Winter in ditches that be near to the
River , and there both to hide and keep himself warm in the mud or in
the weeds , which rot not so soon as in a running River , in
which place if he were in Winter , the distempered Floods that are
usually in that season , would suffer him to take no rest , but carry
him head-long to Mills and Weires to his confusion .
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.166)
And of these Minnows , first you are to know , that the
biggest size is not the best ; and next , that the middle size and the
whitest are the best : (WALTON-E3-P2,247.167)
and then you are to know , that your Minnow must be so
put on your hook that it must turn round when $'t $is {TEXT:'tis} drawn
against the stream , (WALTON-E3-P2,247.168)
and that it may turn nimbly , you must put it on a big-sized hook as I
shall now direct you , which is thus . (WALTON-E3-P2,247.169)
Put your hook in at his mouth and out at his gill ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.170)
then having drawn your hook 2 or 3 inches beyond or through his gill ,
put it again into his mouth , and the point and beard out at his taile
, (WALTON-E3-P2,247.171)
and then tie the hook and his taile about very neatly with a white
thred , which will make it the apter to turn quick in the water :
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.172)
that done , pull back that part of your line which was slack when you
did put your hook into the Minnow the second time :
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.173)
I say pull that part of your line back so that it shall fasten the head
, so that the body of the Minnow shall be almost
streight on your hook ; (WALTON-E3-P2,247.174)
this done , try how it will turn by drawing it cross the water or
against a stream , (WALTON-E3-P2,247.175)
and if it do not turn nimbly , then turn the tail a little to the right
or left hand , (WALTON-E3-P2,247.176)
and try again , till it turn quick ; (WALTON-E3-P2,247.177)
for if not , you are in danger to catch nothing ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.178)
for know , that it is impossible that it should turn too quick :
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.179)
And you are yet to know , that in case you want a Minnow
, then a small Loch or a Stickle-bag , or
any other small fish that will turn quick will serve as well :
(WALTON-E3-P2,247.180)
And you are yet to know , that you may salt them , and by that means
keep them ready and fit for use three or four days , or longer , and
that of salt , bay-salt is the best . (WALTON-E3-P2,247.181)
And here let me tell you , what many old Anglers know right well , that
at some times , and in some waters a Minnow is not to be
got , (WALTON-E3-P2,247.182)
and therefore let me tell you , I have which I will shew to you
an artificial Minnow , that will catch a Trout
as well as an artificial Flie , (WALTON-E3-P2,247.183)
and it was made by a handsom Woman that had a fine hand , and a
live Minnow lying by her : (WALTON-E3-P2,248.184)
the mould or body of the Minnow was cloth , and wrought upon or
over it thus with a needle : (WALTON-E3-P2,248.185)
the back of it with very sad French green silk , and paler green silk
towards the belly , shadowed as perfectly as you can imagine , just as
you see a Minnow ; (WALTON-E3-P2,248.186)
the belly was wrought also with a needle , (WALTON-E3-P2,248.187)
and it was a part of it white silk , and another part of it with silver
thred ; (WALTON-E3-P2,248.188)
the tail and fins were of a quill , which was shaven thin ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,248.189)
the eyes were of two little black beads , (WALTON-E3-P2,248.190)
and the head was so shadowed , and all of it so curiously wrought , and
so exactly dissembled , that it would beguile any sharpe sighted Trout
in a swift stream . (WALTON-E3-P2,248.191)
And this Minnow I will now shew you , look here it is
and if you like it , lend it you , to have two or three made by it ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,248.192)
for they be easily carryed about an Angler , (WALTON-E3-P2,248.193)
and be of excellent use ; (WALTON-E3-P2,248.194)
for note , that a large Trout will come as fiercely at a Minnow , as
the highest mettled Hawk doth seize on a Partridg , or a Grey-hound on
a Hare . (WALTON-E3-P2,248.195)
I have been told , that Minnows have been found in a
Trouts belly ; (WALTON-E3-P2,248.196)
either the Trout had devoured so many ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,248.197)
or the Miller that gave it a friend of mine had forced them down his
throat after he had taken him . (WALTON-E3-P2,248.198)
Now for Flies , which is the third bait wherewith
Trouts are usually taken . You are to know , that there are so
many sorts of Flies as there be of Fruits : (WALTON-E3-P2,248.199)
I will name you but some of them , as the dun-flie , the
stone-flie , the red-flie , the
moor-flie , the tawny-flie , the
shell-flie , the cloudy , or
blackish-flie , the flag-flie , the
vine-flie : (WALTON-E3-P2,248.200)
there be of flies , Caterpillars , and
Canker-flies , and Bear-flies , and indeed too
many either for me to name or for you to remember :
(WALTON-E3-P2,248.201)
and their breeding is so various and wonderful , that I might easily
amaze my self , and tire you in a relation of them .
(WALTON-E3-P2,248.202)
And yet I will exercise your promised patience by saying a little of
the Caterpillar or the Palmer-flie or
worm , that by them you may guess what a work it were in
a Discourse but to run over those very many flies , worms
and little living creatures with which the Sun and Summer adorn
and beautifie the River banks and Meadows ; both-4 for the recreation
and contemplation of us Anglers , pleasures which I think
I my self enjoy more than any other man that is not of my
profession . (WALTON-E3-P2,248.203)
Pliny holds an opinion , that many have their birth or
being from a dew that in the Spring falls upon the leaves of trees ;
and that some kinds of them are from a dew left upon herbs or flowers ;
and others from a dew left upon Coleworts or Cabbages : All which kinds
of dews being thickned and condensed , are by the Suns generative heat
most of them hatch'd , and in three days made living creatures ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.205)
and these of several shapes and colours ; some being hard and tough ,
some smooth and soft ; (WALTON-E3-P2,249.206)
some are horned in their head , some in their tail ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.207)
some have none : (WALTON-E3-P2,249.208)
some have hair , some none : (WALTON-E3-P2,249.209)
some have sixteen feet , some less , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.210)
and some have none , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.211)
but as our Topsel hath with great diligence
observed those which have none , move upon the earth or upon
broad leaves , their motion being not unlike to the waves of the Sea .
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.212)
Some of them he also observes to be bred of the Eggs of other
Caterpillars , and that those in their time turn to be
Butter-flies : and again , that their Eggs turn the following
year to be Caterpillars . (WALTON-E3-P2,249.213)
And some affirm , that every plant has his particular flie or
Caterpillar , which it breeds and feeds . (WALTON-E3-P2,249.214)
I have seen , and may therefore affirm it , a green Caterpillar , or
worm , as big as a small Peascod , which had fourteen legs , eight on
the belly , four under the neck , and two near the tail .
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.215)
It was found on a hedge of Privet , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.216)
and was taken thence , and put into a large Box ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.217)
and a little branch or two of Privet put to it , on which I saw it feed
as sharply as a dog gnaws a bone : (WALTON-E3-P2,249.218)
it lived thus five or six daies , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.219)
and thrived , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.220)
and changed the colour two or three times , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.221)
but by some neglect in the keeper of it , it then dyed
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.222)
and did not turn to a flie : (WALTON-E3-P2,249.223)
but if it had lived , it had doubtless turned to one of those flies
that some call flies of prey , which those that walk by the Rivers may
in Summer , see fasten on smaller flies , and I think make them their
food . (WALTON-E3-P2,249.224)
And $'t $is {TEXT:'tis} observable , that as there be these
flies of prey which be very large , so there be others very
little , created , I think , only to feed them , and bred out of I know
not what ; whose life , they say , Nature intended not to exceed an
hour , (WALTON-E3-P2,249.225)
and yet that life is thus made shorter by other flies , or accident .
(WALTON-E3-P2,249.226)
$'T $is {TEXT:'Tis} endless to tell you what the curious searchers into
Natures productions have observed of these Worms and Flies :
(WALTON-E3-P2,250.228)
But yet I shall tell you what Aldrovandus , our
Topsel , and others say of the Palmer-worm or
Caterpillar ; That whereas others content themselves to
feed on particular herbs or leaves , for most think those very
leaves that gave them life and shape , give them a particular feeding
and nourishment , and that upon them they usually abide yet he
observes , that this is called a pilgrim or
palmer-worm , for his very wandring life and various food ; not
contenting himself as others do with any one certain
place for his abode , nor any certain kind of herb or flower for his
feeding ; (WALTON-E3-P2,250.229)
but will boldly and disorderly wander up and down , and not endure to
be kept to a diet , or fixt to a particular place .
(WALTON-E3-P2,250.230)
Nay , the very colours of Caterpillars are , as one has
observed , very elegant and beautiful : (WALTON-E3-P2,250.231)
I shall for a taste of the rest describe one of them ,
which I will sometime the next month shew you feeding on a Willow-tree
, (WALTON-E3-P2,250.232)
and you shall find him punctually to answer this very description :
His lips and mouth somewhat yellow , his eyes black as Jet , his
forehead purple , his feet and hinder parts green , his tail two forked
and black , the whole body stained with a kind of red spots which run
along the neck and shoulder-blade , not unlike the form of Saint
Andrew's Cross , or the letter X , made
thus cross-wise , and a white line drawn down his back to his tail ;
all which add much beauty to his whole body .
(WALTON-E3-P2,250.233)
And it is to me observable , that at a fixed age this
Caterpillar gives over to eat , and towards Winter comes to be
covered over with a strange shell or crust called an Aurelia
, and so lives a kind of dead life , without eating all the
Winter ; (WALTON-E3-P2,250.234)
and as others of several kinds turn to be several kinds of
flies and vermin the Spring following so this
Caterpillar then turns to be a painted Butter-fly
{COM:no_period_in_text} (WALTON-E3-P2,250.235)
Come , (WALTON-E3-P2,250.236)
come my Scholar , (WALTON-E3-P2,250.237)
you see the River stops our morning walk , (WALTON-E3-P2,250.238)
and I will also here stop my discourse , only as we sit down under this
Honey-suckle hedg , (WALTON-E3-P2,250.239)
whilst I look a Line to fit the Rod that our brother Peter
hath lent you , I shall for a little confirmation of
what I have said , repeat the observation of Du Bartas :
(WALTON-E3-P2,251.240)
{COM:verse_omitted}
Venat. O my good Master , this morning-walk has been
spent to my great pleasure and wonder : (WALTON-E3-P2,251.242)
but I pray , when shall I have your direction how to make artificial
flies , like to those that the Trout loves best ? and
also how to use them ? (WALTON-E3-P2,251.243)
Pisc. My honest Scholar , it is now past five of the
Clock , (WALTON-E3-P2,251.244)
we will fish till nine , and then go to breakfast :
(WALTON-E3-P2,251.245)
Go you to yonder Sycamore-tree , (WALTON-E3-P2,251.246)
and hide your Bottle of drink under the hollow root of it ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,251.247)
for about that time , and in that place , we will make a brave
breakfast with a piece of powdered Beef , and a Radish or two that I
have in my Fish-bag ; (WALTON-E3-P2,251.248)
we shall , I warrant you , make a good , honest , wholsome , hungry
breakfast , (WALTON-E3-P2,251.249)
and I will then give you direction for the making and using of
your flies : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.250)
and in the mean time there is your Rod and Line ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.251)
and my advice is , that you fish as you see me do ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.252)
and $let $'s {TEXT:let's} try which can catch the first Fish .
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.253)
Venat. I thank you Master , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.254)
I will observe and practice your direction as far as I am able .
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.255)
Pisc. Look you Scholar , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.256)
you see I have hold of a good Fish : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.257)
I now see it is a Trout ; (WALTON-E3-P2,252.258)
I pray , put that Net under him , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.259)
and touch not my line , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.260)
for if you do , then we break all . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.261)
Well done Scholar , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.262)
I thank you . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.263)
Now for another . Trust me , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.264)
I have another bite : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.265)
come Scholar , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.266)
come (WALTON-E3-P2,252.267)
lay down your Rod , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.268)
and help me to land this as you did the other . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.269)
So , now we shall be sure to have a good dish of Fish for supper .
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.270)
Venat. I am glad of that ; (WALTON-E3-P2,252.271)
but I have no fortune : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.272)
sure , Master , yours is a better Rod , and better tackling .
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.273)
Pisc. Nay , then take mine , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.274)
and I will fish with yours . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.275)
Look you , Scholar , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.276)
I have another ; (WALTON-E3-P2,252.277)
come , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.278)
do as you did before . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.279)
And now I have a bite at another : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.280)
Oh me ! he has broke all ; (WALTON-E3-P2,252.281)
there 's half a line and a good hook lost . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.282)
Venat. I and a good Trout too .
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.283)
Pisc. Nay , the Trout is not lost ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.284)
for pray take notice no man can lose what he never had .
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.285)
Venat. Master , I can neither-1 catch with the first nor
second Angle : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.286)
I have no fortune . (WALTON-E3-P2,252.287)
Pisc. Look you , Scholar , I have yet another :
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.288)
and now having caught three brace of Trouts , I will tell you a short
Tale as we walk towards our breakfast : (WALTON-E3-P2,252.289)
A Scholar a Preacher I should say that was to
preach to procure the approbation of a Parish , that he might be their
Lecturer , had got from his Fellow-pupil the copy of a Sermon that was
first preached with great commendation by him that composed it ;
(WALTON-E3-P2,252.290)
and though the borrower of it preached it word for word , as it was at
first , yet it was utterly disliked as it was preached by the second to
his Congregation : which the sermon-borrower complained of to the
lender of it , (WALTON-E3-P2,252.291)
and was thus answered ; I lent you indeed my Fiddle ,
but not my Fiddlestick ; (WALTON-E3-P2,253.292)
for you are to know , that every one $can $not {TEXT:cannot}
make musick with my words , which are fitted for my own mouth .
(WALTON-E3-P2,253.293)
And so , my Scholar , you are to know , that as the ill pronunciation
or ill accenting of words in a Sermon spoils it , so the ill carriage
of your line , or not fishing even to a foot in a right place , makes
you lose your labour : (WALTON-E3-P2,253.294)
and you are to know , that though you have my Fiddle ,
that is , my very Rod and Tacklings with which you see I catch Fish ;
yet you have not my Fiddle-stick , that is , you yet
have not skill to know how to carry your hand and line , nor how to
guide it to a right place : (WALTON-E3-P2,253.295)
and this must be taught you for you are to remember I told you
, Angling is an Art either-2 by practice , or a long
observation , or both . (WALTON-E3-P2,253.296)
But take this for a rule , (WALTON-E3-P2,253.297)
when you fish for a Trout with a Worm , let your line have so much ,
and not more Lead than will fit the stream in which you fish ; that is
to say ; more in a great troublesom stream than in a smaller that is
quieter ; as near as may be , so much as will sink the bait to the
bottom , and keep it still in motion , and not more .
(WALTON-E3-P2,253.298)
But now $let $'s {TEXT:lets} say Grace and fall to breakfast :
(WALTON-E3-P2,253.299)
what say you , Scholar , to the providence of an old Angler ?
(WALTON-E3-P2,253.300)
does not this meat taste well ? (WALTON-E3-P2,253.301)
and was not this place well chosen to eat it ? (WALTON-E3-P2,253.302)
for this Sycamore-tree will shade us from the Suns heat .
(WALTON-E3-P2,253.303)
Venat. All excellent good , (WALTON-E3-P2,253.304)
and my stomach excellent good too . (WALTON-E3-P2,253.305)
And I now remember and find that true which devout Lessius
says , That poor men , and those that fast often , have
much more pleasure in eating than rich men and gluttons , that always
feed before their stomachs are empty of their last meat , and call for
more : (WALTON-E3-P2,253.306)
for by that means they rob themselves of that pleasure that hunger
brings to poor men . (WALTON-E3-P2,253.307)
And I do seriously approve of that saying of yours , That you
had rather be a civil , well govern'd , well grounded , temperate ,
poor Angler , than a drunken Lord . (WALTON-E3-P2,253.308)
But I hope there is none such ; (WALTON-E3-P2,253.309)
however I am certain of this , that I have been at many very costly
dinners that have not afforded me half the content that this has done ,
for which I thank God and you . (WALTON-E3-P2,253.310)
And now good Master , proceed to your promised direction for making and
ordering my Artificial flie . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.312)
Pisc. My honest Scholar , I will do it ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,254.313)
for it is a debt due unto you by my promise : (WALTON-E3-P2,254.314)
and because you shall not think your self more engaged to me than
indeed you really are , I will freely give you such directions as were
lately given to me by an ingenuous brother of the Angle , an honest man
, and a most excellent Flie-fisher .
(WALTON-E3-P2,254.315)
You are to note , that there are twelve kinds of Artificial made Flies
to Angle with upon the top of the water (WALTON-E3-P2,254.316)
note by the way , that the fittest season of using these is in
a blustering windy day , when the waters are so troubled that the
natural flie $can $not {TEXT:cannot} be seen , or rest upon them
. (WALTON-E3-P2,254.317)
The first is the dun-flie in March ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,254.318)
the body is made of dun wool , the wings of the
Partridges feathers . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.319)
The second is another dun-Flie , the body of
Black wool , and the wings of the black Drakes feathers , and
of the feathers under his tail . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.320)
The third is the stone-flie in April ,
(WALTON-E3-P2,254.321)
the body is made of black wool made yellow under the
wings , and under the tail , and so made with wings of the Drake .
(WALTON-E3-P2,254.322)
The fourth is the ruddy Flie in the beginning of
May , the body made of red wool wrapt about with
black silk , (WALTON-E3-P2,254.323)
and the feathers are the wings of the Drake , with the feathres of a
red Capon also , which hang dangling on his sides next to the tail .
(WALTON-E3-P2,254.324)
The fifth is the yellow or greenish-flie
in May likewise the body made of
yellow wool , and the wings made of the red cocks hackle or
tail . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.325)
The sixth is , the black Flie in May also
, the body made of black wool and lapt about with the
herl of a Peacocks tail ; (WALTON-E3-P2,254.326)
the wings are made of the wings of a brown Capon with his blew feathers
in his head . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.327)
The seventh is the sad yellow-flie in June
, (WALTON-E3-P2,254.328)
the body is made of black wool , with a yellow list on
either side , and the wings taken off the wings of a Buzzard , bound
with black braked hemp . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.329)
The eighth is the moorish flie made of the blackish mail
of the Drake . (WALTON-E3-P2,254.330)
The ninth is the tawny-flie , good until the middle of
June ; the body made of tawny-wool , the
wings made contrary one against the other , made of the whitish mail of
the wild Drake . (WALTON-E3-P2,255.331)
The tenth is the Wasp-flie in July , the
body made of black wool , lapt about with yellow silk ,
the wings made of the feathers of the Drake , or of the Buzzard .
(WALTON-E3-P2,255.332)
The Eleventh is the shell-flie , good in mid July
, the body made of greenish wool , lapt about with the herle of
a Peacocks tail ; and the wings made of the wings of the Buzzard .
(WALTON-E3-P2,255.333)
The twelfth is the dark Drake-flie , good in
August , the body made with black Wool , lapt
about with black silk : (WALTON-E3-P2,255.334)
his wings are made with the mail of the black Drake , with a black head
. (WALTON-E3-P2,255.335)
Thus have you a Jury of flies likely to betray and condemn all the
Trouts in the River . (WALTON-E3-P2,255.336)