Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/205

 body near the bigness of a goose; one of her feet is webbed to swim withal, the other hath talons to catch fish. It seems the fish come up to her: for she cannot dive.

Some likelihood there is also in a paste made of Cocculus Indiae, Assafoetida, Honey, and Wheat-flour.

But I never tried them. Therefore I cannot prescribe.

31 [p. 190]. That which kills the oak, I conjecture to be Ivy: till I change my mind.

This excellent receipt, divers anglers can tell you where you may buy it.

[Surely this must have been a standing joke among the practitioners of the Art.—E.A.]

CERTAIN OBSERVATIONS FORGOTTEN.

Chevan and chub are one. (Shotrell,    1 year) (Pickerel,    2 year) The (Pike,        3 year) are one. (Luce,        4 year) The Summer—May, June and July—are fittest for Angling.

Fish are the fattest in July.

Fish commonly spawn at Michael's tide [29th September]. After spawning; they be kipper, and out of season.

They thrust up little brooks to spawn. The Trout and Salmon will have lying on their backs.

All the summer time, great fish go downwards to deeps.

Bar netting and night hooking; where you love Angling.

When you are angling at the ground: your line must be no longer than your rod.

He that is more greedy of fish than sport: let him have three or four angles fitted and baited: and laid in several pools. You shall sometimes have them all sped at once.

If you go forth in or immediately after a shower, and take the water in the first rising; and fish in the stream at the ground with a red worm: you may load yourself, if there be store. Thus may any botcher kill fish.

For want of a pannier: spit your fish by the gills on a small wicker or such like.

I use a pouch of parchment, with many several places to put my hooks and lines in.