Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/204

 And fasten these to a long goad's end with a cord as long as your rod; and a great plummet of lead, a handful above the "Bob."

In a troubled or flooded river, in a deep tun, or by a stream side; let it fall within a handbreadth of the ground: and then shall you sensibly feel a multitude of Eels, all in that pit, like so many dogs at a carrion; tug and pull. Now at your good time, when you think that every Eel hath got a link and swallowed it up—like so many ducks the entrails of a pullet—draw up very easily, and they will follow working and pulling; till you have them near the crust: and then amain hoist them to land. This is the readiest way where Eels are plentiful, to catch many.

For the Trout, you shall find in the root of a great dock; a white worm with a red head. With this, fish for a Trout at the ground.

23 [p. 172]. A young whelp, killing, or such like; is good bait for a Luce.

24 [p. 183]. The stronger the wind blows, so you may abide it and guide your tools; and the colder the summer days are: the better will they bite, and the closer [nearer] shall you come to them.

25 [p. 184]. I rather think the kades and other filth that fall from sheep do so glut the fish; that they will not take any artificial bait. The same is the reason of the flood; washing down worms, flies, frog-clocks, &c.

26 [p. 184]. I find no difference of winds; except too cold or too hot: which is not the wind, but the season.

27 [p. 185]. Clear cannot be good, by reason of the offensive sight.

28 [p. 185]. The morning can no way be good because the fish have been at relief all the night, as all other wild creatures: and in the day they rest or sport. In the evening is the fittest. Then hunger begins to bite.

29 [p. 186]. The Trout lies in the deep; but feeds in the stream, under a bush, bray, foam, &c.

30 [p. 190]. I have heard much of an ointment that will presently [immediately] cause any fish to bite; but I could never attain the knowledge thereof. The nearest in mine opinion—except this Probatum—is the oil of an Osprey, which is called Aquila Marina, the Sea Eagle. She is of