Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/200

 1 [p. 149]: Beath [bathe] them a little, except the top, all in a furnace: they will be lighter and not top heavy; which is a great fault in a rod.

2 [p. 149]: Tie them together at every bout, and they will keep one another straight.

3 [p. 149]: White or gray are likest the sky, and therefore of all colours offend the least.

4 [p. 149]: Besides the fish discerns it, and is put away with the stiffness of the rod: whereas on the contrary the weak rod yields liberty to the fish without suspicion, to run away with the bait at his pleasure.

5 [p. 150]: Knit the hair you mean to put in one link at the rod's end, and divide them as equally as you can: put your three lowest fingers betwixt, and twine the knot; and your link shall be equally twist. If you wet your hair, it will twine better. A nimble hand, a weak and light rod that may be easily guided with one hand, needs but four or five hairs at the most for the greatest river fish, though a salmon or a luce, so you have length enough: and except the luce and salmon, three will suffice.

6 [p. 150]: Intermixing with silver or gold is not good: because: First, the thread and hair are not of equal reach. Secondly, the colours differing from the hairs or fly, affright the fish. Thirdly, they will not be[n]d and twist with the hairs.

7 [p. 150]: An upper end also, to put it to and fro the rod.

8 [p. 150]: The same colour, to wit, grey like the sky; the like bigness and strength: is good for all the line, and every link thereof. Weight is hurtful; so unequal strength causeth the weakest to break.

9 [p. 151]: I utterly dislike your Southern corks. First, for they affright the fish in the bite and sight; and because they follow not so kindly the nimble rod and hand. Secondly, they breed weight to the line; which puts it in danger, hinders the nimble jerk of the rod, and loads the arm. A good eye and hand may easily discern the bite.

10 [p. 151]: I use [am accustomed] to make mine own hooks; so that I shall have them of the best Spanish and Milan needles of what size, bent or sharpness as I like and need. Soften your needles in an hot fire, in a chafer.