按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Now for the Art of catching fish； that is to say； How to make a man
that was none to be an Angler by a book； he that undertakes it shall
undertake a harder task than Mr。 Hales； a most valiant and excellent fencer；
who in a printed book called A Private School of Defence undertook to
teach that art or science； and was laughed at for his labour。 Not but that
many useful things might be learned by that book； but he was laughed at
because that art was not to be taught by words； but practice： and so must
Angling。 And note also； that in this Discourse I do not undertake to say all
that is known； or may be said of it； but I undertake to acquaint the Reader
with many things that are not usually known to every Angler； and I shall
leave gleanings and observations enough to be made out of the experience
of all that love and practice this recreation； to which I shall encourage
them。 For Angling may be said to be so like the Mathematicks； that it can
never be fully learnt； at least not so fully； but that there will still be more
new experiments left for the trial of other men that succeed us。
But I think all that love this game may here learn something that may
be worth their money； if they be not poor and needy men： and in case they
be； I then wish them to forbear to buy it； for I write not to get money； but
for pleasure； and this Discourse boasts of no more； for I hate to promise
much； and deceive the Reader。
And however it proves to him； yet I am sure I have found a high
content in the search and conference of what is here offered to the
Reader's view and censure。 I wish him as much in the perusal of it； and so
5
… Page 6…
THE COMPLEAT ANGLER
I might here take my leave； but will stay a little and tell him； that whereas
it is said by many； that in fly…fishing for a Trout； the Angler must observe
his twelve several flies for the twelve months of the year； I say； he that
follows that rule； shall be as sure to catch fish； and be as wise； as he that
makes hay by the fair days in an Almanack； and no surer； for those very
flies that used to appear about； and on； the water in one month of the year；
may the following year come almost a month sooner or later； as the same
year proves colder or hotter： and yet； in the following Discourse； I have set
down the twelve flies that are in reputation with many anglers； and they
may serve to give him some observations concerning them。 And he may
note； that there are in Wales； and other countries； peculiar flies； proper to
the particular place or country； and doubtless； unless a man makes a fly to
counterfeit that very fly in that place； he is like to lose his labour； or much
of it； but for the generality； three or four flies neat and rightly made； and
not too big； serve for a Trout in most rivers； all the summer： and for winter
fly… fishing it is as useful as an Almanack out of date。 And of these；
because as no man is born an artist； so no man is born an Angler； I thought
fit to give thee this notice。
When I have told the reader； that in this fifth impression there are
many enlargements； gathered both by my own observation； and the
communication with friends； I shall stay him no longer than to wish him a
rainy evening to read this following Discourse； and that if he be an honest
Angler； the east wind may never blow when he goes a… fishing。
I。 W。
6
… Page 7…
THE COMPLEAT ANGLER
The first day
A Conference betwixt an Angler； a Falconer； and a Hunter； each
commending his Recreation
Chapter I
Piscator； Venator； Auceps
Piscator。 You are well overtaken； Gentlemen！ A good morning to you
both！ I have stretched my legs up Tottenham Hill to overtake you； hoping
your business may occasion you towards Ware whither I am going this
fine fresh May morning。
Venator。 Sir； I； for my part； shall almost answer your hopes； for my
purpose is to drink my morning's draught at the Thatched House in
Hoddesden； and I think not to rest till I come thither； where I have
appointed a friend or two to meet me： but for this gentleman that you see
with me； I know not how far he intends his journey； he came so lately into
my company； that I have scarce had time to ask him the question。
Auceps。 Sir； I shall by your favour bear you company as far as
Theobalds； and there leave you； for then I turn up to a friend's house； who
mews a Hawk for me； which I now long to see。
Venator。 Sir； we are all so happy as to have a fine； fresh； cool morning；
and I hope we shall each be the happier in the others' company。 And；
Gentlemen； that I may not lose yours； I shall either abate or amend my
pace to enjoy it； knowing that； as the Italians say； 〃 Good company in a
journey makes the way to seem the shorter 〃。
Auceps。 It may do so； Sir； with the help of good discourse； which；
methinks； we may promise from you； that both look and speak so
cheerfully： and for my part； I promise you； as an invitation to it； that I will
be as free and open hearted as discretion will allow me to be with
strangers。
Venator。 And； Sir； I promise the like。
Piscator。 I am right glad to hear your answers； and； in confidence you
speak the truth； I shall put on a boldness to ask you； Sir； whether business
7
… Page 8…
THE COMPLEAT ANGLER
or pleasure caused you to be so early up； and walk so fast ？ for this other
gentleman hath declared he is going to see a hawk； that a friend mews for
him
Venator。 Sir； mine is a mixture of both； a little business and more
pleasure； for I intend this day to do all my business； and then bestow
another day or two in hunting the Otter； which a friend； that I go to meet；
tells me is much pleasanter than any other chase whatsoever： howsoever； I
mean to try it； for to…morrow morning we shall meet a pack of Otter…dogs
of noble Mr。 Sadler's； upon Amwell Hill； who will be there so early； that
they intend to prevent the sunrising。
Piscator。 Sir； my fortune has answered my desires； and my purpo