The secrets of angling Teaching, the choisest tooles baytes and seasons, for the taking of any fish, in pond or riuer: practised and familiarly opened in three bookes. By I.D. Esquire.

THE SECRETS of Angling .

The first Booke . OF Angling , and the Art thereof I sing , What kinde of Tooles it doth behoue to haue ; And with what pleasing bayt a man may bring The Fish to bite within the watry waue . A worke of thankes to such as in a thing Of harmlesse pleasure , haue regard to saue Their dearest soules from sinne ; and may intend Of pretious time , some part thereon to spend . You Nymphs that in the Springs and Waters sweet , Your dwelling haue , of euery Hill and Dale , And oft amidst the Meadowes greene doe meet , To sport and play , and heare the Nightingale ; And in the Riuers fresh doe wash your feet , While Prognes sister tels her wofull tale : Such ayde and power vnto my verses lend , As may suffice this little worke to end . And thou sweet * * The name of a Brooke . Boyd that with thy watry sway , Dost wash the cliffes of Deington and of Weeke ; And through their Rockes with crooked winding way , Thy mother Auon runnest soft to seeke : In whose fayre streames the speckled Trout doth play , The Roche , the Dace , the Gudgin , and the Bleeke . Teach me the skill with slender Line and Hooke To take each Fish of Riuer , Pond , and Brooke . The time for prouiding Angle Rods. FIrst , when the Sunne beginneth to decline Southward his course , with his fayre Chariot bright , And passed hath of Heauen the middle Line , That makes of equall length both day and night ; And left behind his backe the dreadfull signe , Of cruell Centaure , slaine in drunken fight , When Beasts do mourne , and Birds forsake their song , And euery Creature thinkes the night too long . And blustring Boreas with his chilling cold , Vnclothed hath the Trees of Sommers greene ; And Woods , and groues , are naked to behold , Of Leaues and Branches now dispoyled cleane : So that their fruitfull stocks they doe vnfold , And lay abroad their of-spring to beseene ; Where nature shewes her great increase of kinde To such as seeke their tender shutes to finde . Then goe into some great Arcadian wood , Where store of ancient Hazels doe abound ; And seeke amongst their springs and tender brood , Such shutes as are the straightest , long , and round : And of them all ( store vp what you thinke good ) But fairest choose , the smoothest , and most sound ; So that they doe not two yeares growth exceed , In shape and beautie like the Belgicke Reed . These prune and clense of euery leafe and spray , Yet leaue the tender top remaining still : Then home with thee goe beare them safe away , But perish not the Rine and vtter Pill ; And on some euen boarded floore them lay , Where they may dry and season at their fill : And place vpon their crooked parts some waight , To presse them downe , and keepe them plaine and straight . So shalt thou haue alwayes in store the best , And fittest Rods to serue thy turne aright ; For not the brittle Cane , nor all the rest , I like so well , though it be long and light , Since that the Fish are frighted with the least Aspect of any glittering thing , or white : Nor doth it by one halfe so well incline , As doth the plyant rod to saue the line . To make the Line . THen get good Hayre , so that it be not blacke , Neither of Mare nor Gelding let it be ; Nor of the tyreling Iade that beares the packe : But of some lusty Horse or Courser free , Whose bushie tayle vpon the ground doth tracke , Like blazing Comete that sometimes we see : From out the mid'st thereof the longest take , At leysure best your Linkes and Lines to make . Then twist them finely , as you thinke most meet , By skill or practise easie to be found ; As doth Arachue with her slender feet ; Draw forth her little thread along the ground , But not too hard or slacke , the meane is sweet , Least slacke they snarle , or hard they proue vnsound , And intermixt with siluer , silke , or gold , The tender hayres , the better so to hold . Then end to end , as falleth to their lot , Let all your Linkes in order as they lie Be knit together , with that Fishers knot That will not slip , or with the wet vntie : And at the lowest end forget it not To leaue a Bought or Compasse like an eye , The Linke that holds your Hooke to hang vpon , When you thinke good to take it off and on . Which Linke must neither be so great nor strong , Nor like of colour as the others were ; Scant halfe so big , so that it be as long : Of grayest Hue , and of the soundest Hayre , Least whiles it hangs the liquid waues among The sight thereof , the warie Fish should feare . And at one end a Loope or Compasse fine , To fasten to the other of your line . Corke . THen take good Corke , so much as shall suffice , For euery Line to make his swimmer fit ; And where the midst and thickest parts doth rise , There burne a round small hole quite thorow it : And put therein a Quill of equall size , But take good heed the Corke you doe not slit . Then round or square with Razor pare it neare , Piramid-wise , or like a slender Peare . The smaller end doth serue to sinke more light , Into the water with the Plummets sway ; The greater swims aloft and stands vpright , To keepe the Line and Bayt at euen stay , That when the Fish begins to nib and byte , The mouing of the float doth them bewray . These may you place vpon your Lines at will , And stoppe them with a white and handsome Quill . Hookes . THen buy your Hookes the finest and the best That may be had of such as vse to sell , And from the greatest to the very least Of euery sort picke out and chuse them well , Such as in shape and making passe the rest . And doe for strength and soundnesse most excell : Then in a little Boxe of dryest wood From rust and canker keepe them saire and good . That Hooke I loue that is in compasse round Like to the print that Pegasus did make , With horned hoofe vpon Thessalian ground ; From whence forthwith Pernassus spring out brake , That doth in pleasant Waters so abound : And of the Muses oft the thirst doth slake , Who on his fruitfull bankes doe sit and sing , That all the world of their swee tunes doth ring . Or as Thaumantis , when she list to shrowd Her selfe against the parching sunny ray , Vnder the mantle of some stormy cloud , Where she her sundry colours doth display Like Iunoes Bird , of her faire garments proud , That Phoebus gaue her on her marriage day : Shewes forth her goodly Circle farre and wide , To mortall wights that wonder at her pride . His Shank should neither be to short nor long , His point not ouersharpe , nor yet too dull : The substance good that may indure from wrong ; His Needle slender , yet both round and full , Made of the right Iberian mettell strong , That will not stretch nor breake at euery pull , Wrought smooth and cleane withouten cracke or knot And bearded like the wilde Arabian goat . Then let your Hooke be sure and strongly plaste Vnto your lowest Linke with Silke or Hayre , Which you may doe with often ouercaste , So that you draw the Bouts together neare , And with both ends make all the other fast , That no bare place or rising knot appeare : Then on that Linke hang Leads of euen waight To raise your floate , and carry downe your baite . Thus haue you Rod , Line , Float , and Hooke ; The Rod to strike , when you shall thinke it fit , The Line to lead the Fish with wary skill , The Float and Quill to warne you of the bit ; The Hooke to hold him by the chap or gill , Hooke , Line , and Rod , all guided to your wit . Yet there remaines of Fishing tooles to tell , Some other sorts that you must haue as well . Other fishing Tooles . ALittle Boord , the lightest you can finde , But not so thin that it will breake or bend ; Of Cypres sweet , or of some other kinde , That like a Trenchor shall it selfe extend : Made smooth and plaine , your Lines thereon to winde , With Battlements at euery other end : Like to the Bulwarke of some ancient Towne , As well-wald Sylchester now razed downe . A Shooe to beare the crawling Wormes therein , With hole aboue to hang it by your side , A hollow Cane that must be light and thin , Wherein the Bobb and Palmer shall abide , Which must be stopped with an handsome pin , Least out againe your baytes doe hap to slide . A little Box that couered close shall lye , To keepe therein the busie winged Flye . Then must you haue a Plummet , formed round , Like to the Pellet of a birding Bow : Wherewith you may the secret'st waters sound , And set your floate thereafter high , or low , Till you the depth thereof haue truely found : And on the same a twisted thread bestow At your owne will , to hang it on your hooke , And so to let it downe into the Brooke . Of Lead likewise , yet must you haue a Ring , Whose whole Diameter in length containes Three Inches full , and fastned to a string That must belong and sure , if need constraines : Through whose round hole you shall your Angle bring , And let it fall into the watry playne : Vntill he come the weedes and stickes vnto , From whence your hooke it serueth to vndo . Haue Tooles good store to serue your turne withall , Least that you happen some to lose or breake ; As in great waters oft it doth befall , When that the Hooke is nought or Line too weake . And waxed thread , or silke , so it be small To set them on , that if you list to wreake Your former losse , you may supply the place , And not returne with sorrow and disgrace . Haue twist likewise , so that it be not white , Your Rod to mend , or broken top to tye ; For all white colours doe the Fishes fright , And make them from the bayte away to flye ; A File to mend your hookes , both small and light , A good sharpe knife , your Girdle hanging by : A Pouch with many parts and purses thin , To carry all your Tooles and Trynkets in . Yet must you haue a little Rip beside , Of Willow twigs , the finest you can wish ; Which shall be made so handsome and so wide As may containe good store of sundry Fish : And yet with ease be hanged by your side , To bring them home the better to your dish . A little Net that on a Pole shall stand , The mighty Pyke or heauy Carpe to Land . His seuer all Tooles , and what garment is fittest . ANd let you garments Russet be or gray , Of colour darke , and hardest to discry ; That with the Raine or weather will away , And least offend the fearefull Fishes eye : For neither Skarlet nor rich cloth of ray , Nor colours dipt in fresh Assyrian dye , Nor tender silkes , of Purple , Paule , or golde , Will serue so well to keepe off wet or colde . In this aray the Angler good shall goe Vnto the Brooke , to finde his wished game ; Like olde Menaleus wandring to and fro , Vntill he chance to light vpon the same , And there his art and cunning shall bestow , For euery Fish his bayte so well to frame , That long ere Phoebus set in Westerne some , He shall returne well loaden to his home . Obiection . SOme youthfull Gallant here perhaps will say , This is no pastime for a gentleman . It were more fit at cardes and dice to play , To vse both fence and dauncing now and than , Or walke the streetes in nice and strange Aray , Or with coy phrases court his Mistris fan , A poore delight with toyle and painfull watch , With losse of time a silly Fish to catch . What pleasure can it be to walke about , The fields and meades in heat or pinching cold ? And stand all day to catch a silly Trout , That is not worth a teaster to be sold , And peraduenture sometimes goe without , Besides the toles and troubles manifold , And to be washt with many a showre of rayne , Before he can returne from thence againe ? More ease it were , and more delight I trow , In some sweet house to passe the time away , Amongst the best , with braue and gallant show , And with faire dames to daunce , to sport and play , And on the board , the nimble dice to throw , That brings in gaine , and helps the shot to pay , And with good wine and store of dainty fare , To feede at will and take but little care . The Answere . I Meane not here mens errours to reproue , Nor doe enuie their seeming happy state ; But rather meruaile why they doe not loue An honest sport that is without debate ; Since their abused pastimes often moue Their mindes to anger and to mortall hate : And as in bad delights their time they spend , So oft it brings them to no better end . Indeed it is a life of lesser paine , To sit at play from noone till it be night : And then from night till it be noone againe , With damned oathes , pronounced in despight , For little cause and euery trifle vaine , To curse , to brawle , to quarrell , and to fight , To packe the Cardes , and with some cozning tricke His fellowes Purse of all his coyne to picke . Or to beguile another of his Wife , As did Aeghistus Agamemnon serue : Or as that Roman * * Nero. Monarch led a life To spoyle and spend , while others pine and sterue , And to compell their friends with foolish strife , To take more drinke then will their health preserue : And to conclude , for debt or iust desart , In baser tune to sing the Counter-part . O let me rather on the pleasant Brinke Of Tyne and Trent possesse some dwelling place ; Where I may see my Quill and Corke downe sinke , With eager bit of Barbill , Bleike , or Dace : And on the World and his Creator thinke , While they proud Thais painted sheat imbrace . And with the fume of strong Tobacco's smoke , All quaffing round are ready for to choke . Let them that list these pastimes then pursue , And on their pleasing fancies feede their fill ; So I the Fields and Meadowes greene may view , And by the Riuers fresh may walke at will , Among the Dayzes and the Violets blew : Red Hyacinth , and yealow Daffadill , Purple Narcissus , like the morning rayes , Pale Ganderglas , and azour Culuerkayes . I count it better pleasure to behold The goodly compasse of the loftie Skye , And in the midst thereof like burning gold The flaming Chariot of the worlds great eye ; The watry cloudes that in the ayre vprold With sundry kindes of painted collours flie : And fayre Aurora lifting vp her head , All blushing rise from old Thitonus bed . The hills and Mountaines raised from the Plaines , The plaines extended leuell with the ground , The ground deuided into sundry vaines , The vaines inclos'd with running riuers rounde , The riuers making way through natures chaine , With headlong course into the sea profounde : The surging sea beneath the valleys low , The valleys sweet , and lakes that louely flowe . The lofty woods the forrests wide and long , Adornd with leaues and branches fresh and greene , In whose coole bow'rs the birds with chaunting song , Doe welcome with their quire the Summers Queene , The meadowes faire where Flora's guifts among , Are intermixt the verdant grasse betweene , The siluer skaled fish that softlie swimme , Within the brookes and Christall watry brimme . All these and many more of his creation , That made the heauens , the Angler oft doth see , And takes therein no little delectation , To thinke how strange and wonderfull they be , Framing thereof an inward contemplation , To set his thoughts from other fancies free , And whiles hee lookes on these with ioyfull eye , His minde is rapt aboue the starry skye . The Author of Angling . BVt how this Art of Angling did beginne , And who the vse thereof and practise found , How many times and ages since haue bin , Wherein the sunne hath dayly compast round , The circle that the signes twice sixe are in : And yeelded yearely comfort to the ground , It were too hard for me to bring about , Since Ouid wrote not all that story out . Yet to content the willing Readers eare , I will not spare the sad report to tell , When good Deucalion and his Pirrha deere , Were onely left vpon the earth to dwell Of all the rest that ouerwhelmed were With that great floud , that in their dayes befell , Wherein the compasse of the world so round , Both man and beast with waters deepe were dround . Between themselues they wept and made great moane , How to repaire againe the wofull fall , Of all mankinde , whereof they two alone The remnant were , and wretched portion small , But any meanes or hope in them was none , That might restore so great a losse with all , Since they were aged , and in yeares so runne , That now almost their threed of life was spunne . Vntill at last they saw where as there stood An ancient Temple , wasted and forlorne ; Whose holy fires and sundry offerings good , The late outragious waues away had borne : But when at length downe fallen was the flood , The waters low it proudly gan to scorne . Vnto that place they thought it best to goe , The counsell of the Goddesse thereto know . For long before that fearefull Deluge great , The vniuersall Earth had ouerflowne ; A heauenly power there placed had her seate , And answeres gaue of hidden things vnknowne . Thither they went her fauour to intreat , Whose fame throughout that coast abroad was blowne By her aduice some way or meane to finde , How to renew the race of humane kinde . Prostrate they fell vpon the sacred ground , Kissing the stones , and shedding many a teare ; And lowly bent their aged bodies downe Vnto the earth , with sad and heauy cheare : Praying the Saint with soft and dolefull sound That she vouchsafe their humble suite to heare . The Goddesse heard , and bad them goe and take , Their mothers bones , & throw behind their backe . This Oracle obscure , and darke of sence , Amazed much their mindes with feare and doubt , What kind of meaning might be drawne from thence ; And how to vnderstand and finde it out , How with so great a sinne they might dispence Their Parents bones to cast and throw about : Thus when they had long time in studie spent , Out of the Church with carefull thought they went . And now beholding better euery place , Each Hill and Dale , each Riuer , Rock , and Tree ; And muzing thereupon a little space , They thought the Earth their mother well might be , And that the stones that lay before their face , To be her bones did nothing disagree : Wherefore to proue if it were false or true , The scattered stones behind their backs they threw . Forthwith the stones ( a wondrous thing to heare , Began to moue as they had life conceiu'd , And waxed greater then at first they were ; And more and more the shape of man receiu'd , Till euery part most plainely did appeare , That neither eye nor sence could be deceiu'd : They heard , they spake , they went , and walked too , As other liuing men are wont to doe . Thus was the earth replenished a new , With people strange , sprung vp with little paine , Of whose increase the progenie that grew , Did soone supply the empty world againe ; But now a greater care there did insue , How such a mightie number to maintaine , Since foode there was not any to be found , For that great flood had all destroyd and drownd . Then did Deucalion first the Art inuent Of Angling , and his people taught the same ; And to the Woods and groues with them hee went Fit tooles to finde for this most needfull game ; There from the trees the longest ryndes they rent , Wherewith strong Lines they roughly twist and frame , And of each crooke of hardest Bush and Brake , They made them Hookes the hungry Fish to take . And to intice them to the eager bit , Dead frogs and flies of sundry sorts he tooke ; And snayles and wormes such as he found most fit , Wherein to hide the close and deadly hooke : And thus with practise and inuentiue wit , He found the meanes in euery lake and brooke Such store of Fish to take with little paine , As did long time this people new sustaine . In this rude sort began this simple Art , And so remain'd in that first age of old , When Saturne did Amaltheas horne impart Vnto the world , that then was all of Gold ; The Fish as yet had felt but little smart , And were to bite more eager , apt , and bold : And plentie still supplide the place againe Of woefull want , whereof we now complaine . But when in time the feare and dread of man Fell more and more on euery liuing thing , And all the creatures of the world began To stand in awe of this vsurping King , Whose tyranny so farre extended than That Earth and Seas it did in thraldome bring ; It was a worke of greater paine and skill , The wary Fish in lake or Brooke to kill . So worse and worse two ages more did passe , Yet still this Art more perfect daily grew , For then the slender Rod inuented was , Of finer sort then former ages knew , And Hookes were made of siluer and of brasse , And Lines of Hempe and Flaxe were framed new , And sundry baites experience found out more , Then elder times did know or try before . But at the last the Iron age drew neere , Of all the rest the hardest , and most scant , Then Lines were made of Silke and subtile hayre And Rods of lightest Cane and Hazell plant , And Hookes of hardest steele inuented were , That neither skill nor workemanship did want , And so this Art did in the end attaine Vnto that state where now it doth remaine . But here my weary Muse a while must rest , That is not vsed to so long a way ; And breath , or pause a little at the least At this Lands end , vntill another day , And then againe , if so she thinke it best : Our taken-taske afresh wee will assay , And forward goe as first we did intend , Till that wee come vnto our iourneyes end . The end of the first Booke .

The second Booke . BEfore , I taught what kinde of Tooles were fit For him to haue that would an Angler be : And how he should with practise & with wit Prouide himselfe thereof in best degree : Now doth remaine to shew how to the bit The Fishes may be brought , that earst were free , And with what pleasing baits intis'd they are , To swallow downe the hidden Hooke vnware . Baites . IT were not meet to send a Huntsman out Into the Woods , with Net , with Gin , or Hay , To trace the brakes and bushes all about , The Stag , the Foxe , or Badger to betray : If hauing found his game , he stand in doubt Which way to pitch , or where his snares to lay , And with what traine he may entise withall The fearefull beast into his trap to fall . So , though the Angler haue good store of tooles , And them with skill in finest sort can frame ; Yet when he comes to Riuers , Lakes , and Pooles , If that he know not how to vse the same , And with what baites to make the Fishes fooles , He may goe home as wise as out he came , And of his comming boast himselfe as well As he that from his fathers Chariot fell . Not that I take vpon mee to impart More then by others hath before beene told ; Or that the hidden secrets of this Art I would vnto the vulgar sort vnfolde , Who peraduenture for my paines desart Would count me worthy Balams horse to holde : But onely to the willing learner show So much thereof as may suffise to know . But here , O Neptune , that with triple Mace Dost rule the raging of the Ocean wide ; I meddle not with thy deformed race Of monsters huge , that in those waues abide : With that great Whale , that by three whole dayes space The man of God did in his belly hide , And cast him out vpon the Euxin shore , As safe and sound as he had beene before . Nor with that Orke that on Cephaean strand Would haue deuour'd Andromeda the faire , Whom Perseus slew with strong and valiant hand , Deliuering her from danger and despaire , The Hurlepoole huge that higher then the land , Whole streames of water spouteth in the ayre , The Porpois large that playing swims on hie , Portending stormes or other tempests nie . Nor that admirer of sweet Musickes sound , That on his backe Arion bore away ; And brought to shore out of the Seas profound , The Hippotame that like an horse doth neigh , The Mors , that from the rockes inrolled round , Within his teeth himselfe doth safe conuay : The Tortoise couered with his target hard , The Tuberone attended with his guard . Nor with that Fish that beareth in his snout A ragged sword , his foes to spoile and kill ; Nor that fierce Thrasher , that doth fling about His nimble flayle , and handles him at will : The rauenous Sharke that with the sweepings out And filth of ships doth oft his belly fill . The Albacore that followeth night and day The flying Fish , and takes them for his pray . The Crocodile that weepes when he doth wrong , The Hollibut that hurts the appetite , The Turbut broad , the Sceale , the Sturgion strong , The Cod and Cozze , that greedy are to bite , The Haake , the Haddocke , and Conger long , The yeallow Ling , the Milwell faire and white , The spreading Ray , the Thornback thin and flat , The boysterous Base , the hoggish Tunny fat . These kindes of Fish that are so large of sise , And many more that here I leaue vntolde Shall goe for me , and all the rest likewise That are the flocke of Proteus watry folde : For well I thinke my Hookes would not suffise , Nor slender Lines , the least of these to holde . I leaue them therefore to the surging Seas , In that huge depth , to wander at their ease . And speake of such as in the fresh are found , The little Roach , the Menise biting fast , The slymie Tench , the slender Smelt and round , The Vmber sweet , the Graueling good of taste , The wholesome Ruffe , the Barbill not so sound , The Pearch and Pike that all the rest doe waste , The Bream , the Carpe , the Chub and Chauendar , And many more that in fresh waters are . Sit then Thalia on some pleasant banke , Among so many as faire Auon hath , And marke the Anglers how they march in ranke , Some out of Bristoll , some from healthfull Bath ; How all the Riuers sides along they flanke , And through the Meadowes make their wonted path : See how their wit and cunning they apply , To catch the Fish that in the waters lye . For the Goodgion . LOe , in a little Boate where one doth stand , That to a Willow Bough the while is tide , And with a pole doth stirre and raise the sand ; Where as the gentle streame doth softly slide , And then with slender Line and Rod in hand , The eager bit not long he doth abide . Well leaded is his Line , his Hooke but small , A good big Corke to beare the streame withall . His baite the least red worme that may be found , And at the bottome it doth alwayes lye ; Whereat the greedy Goodgion bites so sound That Hooke and all he swalloweth by and by : See how he strikes , and puls them vp as round As if new store the play did still supply . And when the bit doth dye or bad doth proue , Then to another place he doth remoue . This Fish the fittest for a learner is That in this Art delights to take some paine ; For as high flying Haukes that often misse The swifter foules , are eased with a traine , So to a young beginner yeeldeth this , Such readie sport as makes him proue againe , And leades him on with hope and glad desire , To greater skill , and cunning to aspire . For the Roche . THen see on yonder side , where one doth sit With Line well twisted , and his Hooke but small ; His Corke not big , his Plummets round and fit , His bayt of finest paste , a little ball Wherewith he doth intice vnto the bit , The carelesse Roche , that soone is caught withall : Within a foote the same doth reach the ground , And with least touch the float straight sinketh downe . And as a skilfull Fowler that doth vse , The flying Birds of any kinde to take , The fittest and the best doth alwayes chuse , Of many sorts a pleasing stale to make , Which if he doth perceiue they doe refuse , And of mislike abandon and forsake , To win their loue againe , and get their grace Forthwith doth put another in the place . So for the Roach more baites he hath beside , As of a sheepe the thicke congealed blood , Which on a board he vseth to deuide In portions small , to make them fit and good , That better on his hooke they may abide : And of the waspe the white and tender brood , And wormes that breed on euery hearbe and tree , And sundry flies that quicke and liuely be . For the Dace . THen looke where as that Poplar gray doth grow , Hard by the same where one doth closely stand , And with the winde his Hooke and bayt doth throw Amid the streame with slender hazell wand , Where as he sees the Dace themselues doe show , His eye is quicke , and ready is his hand , And when the Fish doth rise to catch the bayt , He presently doth strike , and takes her strayt . O worlds deceit ! how are we thrald by thee , That dost thy gall in sweetest pleasures hide ? When most we thinke in happiest state to be , Then doe we soonest into danger slide , Behold the Fish that euen now was free , Vnto the deadly hooke how he is tide , So vaine delights alure vs to the snare , Wherein vnwares we fast intangled are . For the Carpe . BVt now againe see where another stands , And straines his rod that double seemes to bend , Loe how he leades and guides him with his hands , Least that his line should breake or Angle rend , Then with a Net see how at last he lands , A mighty Carpe and has him in the end , So large he is of body , scale , and bone , That rod and all had like to haue beene gone . Marke what a line he hath , well made and strong , Of Bucephall , or Bayards strongest hayre , Twisted with greene or watched silke among , Like hardest twine , that holds th' intangled Deare , Not any force of Fish will doe it wrong , In Tyne , or Trent , or Thame he needes not feare : The knots of euery lincke are knit so sure , That many a plucke and pull they may indure . His corke is large , made handsome , smooth , and fine , The leads according , close , and fit thereto , A good round hooke set on with silkentwine , That will not slip nor easily vndoe : His bait great wormes that long in mosse haue bin , Which by his side he beareth in a shooe . Or paste wherewith he feedes him oft before , That at the bottom lyes a foote or more . For the Chub and Trout . SEe where another hides himselfe as slye , As did Acteon , or the fearefull Deere ; Behinde a withy , and with watchfull eye Attends the bit within the water cleere , And on the top thereof doth moue his flye , With skilfull hand , as if he liuing were . Loe how the Chub , the Roche , the Dace , and Trout , To catch thereat doe gaze and swimme about . His Rod , or Cane , made darke for being seene , The lesse to feare the warie Fish withall : His Line well twisted is , and wrought so cleane That being strong , yet doth it shew but small , His Hooke not great , nor little , but betweene , That light vpon the watry brimme may fall , The Line in length scant halfe the Rod exceedes , And neither Corke , nor Leade thereon it needes . For the Trout , and Eele . NOw see some standing where the streame doth fall , With headlong course behind the sturdy weere , That ouerthwart the riuer , like a wall , The water stops , and strongly vp doth beare , And at the Tayles , of Mills and Arches small , Whereas the shoote is swift and not too cleare , Their lines in length not twice aboue an ell , But with good store of lead and twisted well . Round handsome hookes that will not breake nor bend , The big red worme , well scowred , is their bayte , Which downe vnto the bottome doth discend , Whereas the Trout and Eele doth lye in wayte , And to their feeding busily intend , Which when they see they snatch and swallow straight . Vpon their lines is neither Corke nor Quill , But when they feele them plucke then strike they stil . For the Sewant and Flounder BEhold some others ranged all along , To take the Sewant , yea , the Flounder sweet , That to the banke in deepest places throng , To shunne the swifter streame that runnes so fleete , And lye and feede the brackish waues among , Whereas the waters fresh and salt doe meete : And there the Eele and Shad sometimes is caught , That with the tide into the brookes are brought . But by the way it shall not be amisse , To vnderstand that in the waters gray , Of floating Fish , two sundry kindes there is , The one that liues by rauen and by pray , And of the weaker sort , now that , now this , He bites , and spoyles , and kills , and beares away , And in his greedy gullet doth deuowre , As Scillas gulfe , a ship within his powre . And these haue wider mouths to catch and take Their flying pray , whom swiftly they pursew , And rowes of teeth like to a saw or rake , Wherewith their gotten game they bite and chew , And greater speede within the waters make , To set vpon the other simple crew , And as the grayhound steales vpon the hare , So doe they vse to rush on them vnware . Vnequall Fate , that some are borne to be Fearefull and milde , and for the rest a pray , And others are ordain'd to liue more free , Without controule or danger any way : So doth the Foxe the Lambe destroy we see , The Lyon fierce , the Beuer , Roe , or Gray , The Hauke , the foule , the greater wrong the lesse , The lofty proud , the lowly poore oppresse . For the Pike or Pearch . NOw for to take these kinde of Fish with all , It shal be needfull to haue still in store , Some liuing baites as Bleiks , and Roches small , Goodgion , or Loach , not taken long before , Or yealow Frogges that in the waters craule , But all aliue they must be euermore : For as for baites that dead and dull doe lye , They least esteeme and set but little by . But take good heed your line be sure and strong , The knots will knit , and of the soundest hayre , Twisted with some well coloured silke among , And that you haue no neede your Rod to feare : For these great Fish will striue and struggle long , Rod , line , and all into the streame to beare . And that your hooke be not too small and weake , Least that it chance to stretch , or hap to breake . And as in Arden or the mountaines hoare , Of Appemmie or craggy Alps among , The mastifes fierce that hunt the bristled Boare , Are harnesed with Curats light and strong , So for these Fish , your line a foote or more , Must armed be with thinnest plate along , Or slender wyre well fastned thereunto , That will not slip nor easily vndoe . The other kinde that are vnlike to these Doe liue by corne or any other seede : Sometimes by crummes of bread , of paste or cheese , Or grassehoppers that in greene meadowes breed , With brood of waspes , of hornets , doares or bees , Lip berries from the bryar bush or weede , Bloud wormes , and snayles , or crauling Ientiles small . And buzzing flies that on the waters fall . All these are good , and many others more , To make fit baites to take these kinde of Fish , So that some faire deepe place you feede before , A day or two , with paile , with bole , or dish ; And of these meats doe vse to throw in store , Then shall you haue them byte as you would wish : And ready sport to take your pleasure still , Of any sort that best you like to kill . Thus seruing them as often as you may , But once a weeke at least it must be done , If that to bite they make too long delay , As by your sport may be perceiued soone : Then some great Fish doth feare the rest away , Whose fellowship and companie they shunne : Who neither in the bait doth take delight , Nor yet will suffer them that would to byte . For this you must a remedie prouide , Some Roche or Bleike , as I haue shew'd before , Beneath whose vpper fin you close shall hide Of all your Hooke the better halfe and more , And though the point appeare or may be spide , It makes no matter any whit therefore : But let him fall into the watry brimme , And downe vnto the bottome softly swimme . And when you see your Corke begin to moue , And round about to soare and fetch a ring , Sometime to sinke , and sometime swimme aboue , As doth the Ducke within the watty spring , Yet make no haste your present hap to proue , Till with your float at last away hee fling , Then may you safely strike and hold him short , And at your will prolong or end your sport . But euery Fish loues not each bayte alike , Although sometime they feede vpon the same ; But some doe one , and some another seeke , As best vnto their appetite doth frame , The Roche , the Bream , the Carpe , the Chub , and Bleik . With paste or Corne their greedy hunger tame , The Dace , the Ruffe , the Goodgion and the rest , The smaller sort of crawling wormes loue best . The Chauender and Chub doe more delight To feede on tender Cheese , or Cherries red , Blacke snayles , their bellies slit to shew their white , Or Grashoppers that skip in euery Meade ; The Pearch , the Tench , and Eele , doe rather bite At great red wormes , in Field or Garden bred , That haue beene scowr'd in mosse or Fenell rough , To rid their filth , and make them hard and tough . And with this bayte hath often taken bin The Salmon faire , of Riuer-fish the best ; The Shad , that in the Spring time commeth in , The Suant swift , that is not set by least , The Bocher sweet , the pleasant Flounder thin , The Peele , the Tweat , the Botling , and the rest , With many more , that in the deepe doth lye Of Auon , Vske , of Seuerne , and of Wye . Alike they bite , alike they pull downe low The sinking Corke that striues to rise againe , And when they feele the sudden deadly blow , Alike they shunne the danger and the paine : And as an arrow from the Scithian bow , All flee alike into the streame amaine , Vntill the Angler by his wary skill , There tyres them out , and brings them vp at will . Yet furthermore it doth behoue to know , That for the most part Fish doe seeke their foode Vpon the ground , or deepest bottome low , Or at the top of water , streame , or flood ; And so you must your hooke and bayte bestow , For in the midst you shall doe little good , For heauie things downe to the bottom fall , And light doe swim , and seldome sinke at all . All Summer long aloft the Fishes swimme , Delighted with faire Phoebus shining ray , And lye in wayte within the waters dimme For flyes and gnats that on the top doe play , Then halfe a yard beneath the vpper brimme It shall be best your bayted Hooke to lay , With gnat or flye of any sort or kinde , That euery Moneth on Leaues or Trees you finde . But then your Line must haue no Lead at all , And but a slender Corke , or little Quill , To stay the bayte that downe it doe not fall , But hang a Linke within the water still , Or else vpon the top thereof you shall With quicker hand , and with more ready skill Let fall your flye , and now and then remoue , Which soone the Fish will finde and better loue . And in the streame likewise they vse to be At tailes of floudyates , or at Arches wide ; Or shallow flats , whereas the waters free With fresher springs and swifter course doe slide : And then of Waspe , the brood that cannot flye Vpon a Tyle-stone first a little dryed , Or yealow bobs turnd vp before the Plough , Are chiefest bayts , with Corke and Lead enough . But when the golden Chariot of the Sunne , Departing from our Northren countries farre Beyond the ballance , now his course hath runne , And goes to warme the cold Antarticque starre , And Summers heat is almost spent and done , With new approch of Winters dreadfull warre : Then doe the Fish withdraw into the deepe , And low from sight and cold more close doe keepe . Then on your Lines you may haue store of Lead , And bigger Corkes of any size you will , And where the Fish are vsed to be fed There shall you lay vpon the bottom still , And whether that your bayte be Corne , or bread , Or Wormes , or Paste , it doth not greatly skill , For these alone are to be vsed then , Vntill the spring or summer come againe . Thus haue I shew'd how Fish of diuers kinde Best taken are , and how their bayts to know ; But Phoebus now beyond the Westerne Inde ; Beginneth to descend and draweth low , And well the weather serues and gentle winde Downe with the tide and pleasant streame to row , Vnto some place where we may rest vs in , Vntill we shall another time begin . The end of the second Booke .

The third Booke . NOw fals it out in order to declare , What time is best to Angle in aright ; And when the chiefe and fittest seasons are Wherein the fish are most dispos'd to bite , What winde doth make , and which againe doth marre The Anglers sport , wherein he takes delight , And how he may with pleasure best aspire , Vnto the wished end of his desire . For there are times in which they will not bite , But doe forbeare and from their food refraine , And dayes there are wherein they more delight To labour for the same and bite amaine ; So , he that can those seasons finde aright Shall not repent his trauell spent in vaine , To walke a mile or two amidst the fields , Reaping the fruit this harmlesse pleasure yeelds . And as a ship in safe and quiet roade Vnder some hill or harbour doth abide , With all her fraight , her tackling , and her load , Attending still the winde and wished tide , Which when it serues , no longer makes aboad , But forth into the watry deepe doth slide , And through the waues deuides her fairest way Vnto the place where she intends to stay . So must the Angler be prouided still , Of diuers tooles , and sundry baytes in store ; And all things else pertaining to his skill , Which he shall get and lay vp long before , That when the weather frameth to his will , Hee may be well appointed euermore To take fit time when it is offered euer , For time in one estate abideth neuer . The qualities of an Angler . BVt ere I further goe , it shall behoue To shew what gifts and qualities of minde Belongs to him that doth this pastime loue ; And what the vertues are of euery kinde Without the which it were in vaine to proue , Or to expect the pleasure he should finde , No more then he that hauing store of meate Hath lost all lust and appetite to eate . For what auailes to Brooke or Lake to goe , With handsome Rods and Hookes of diuers sort , Well twisted Lines , and many trinkets moe , To finde the Fish within their watry fort , If that the minde be not contended so , But wants those gifts that should the rest support . And make his pleasure to his thoughts agree , With these therefore he must endued be . The first is Faith , not wauering and vnstable , But such as had that holy Patriarch old , That to the highest was so acceptable As his increase and of-spring manifolde Exceeded far the starres innumerable , So must he still a firme perswasion holde , That where as waters , brookes , and lakes are found , There store of Fish without all doubt abound . For nature that hath made no emptie thing , But all her workes doth well and wisely frame , Hath fild each Brooke , each Riuer , Lake and Spring With creatures , apt to liue amidst the same ; Euen as the earth , the ayre , and seas doe bring Forth Beasts , and Birds of sundry sort and name , And giuen them shape , ability , and sence , To liue and dwell therein without offence . The second gift and qualitie is Hope , The Anchor-holde of euery hard desire ; That hauing of the day so large a scope , He shall in time to wished hap aspire , And ere the Sunne hath left the heau'nly cope Obtaine the sport and game he doth desire , And that the Fish though sometime slow to bite , Will recompence delay with more delight . The third is Loue , and liking to the game , And to his friend and neighbour dwelling by ; For greedy pleasure not to spoile the same , Nor of his Fish some portion to deny To any that are sicklie , weake , or lame , But rather with his Line and Angle try In Pond or Brooke , to doe what in him lyes , To take such store for them as may suffice . Then followeth Patience , that the furious flame Of Choller cooles , and Passion puts to flight , As doth a skilfull rider breake and tame , The Courser wilde , and teach him tread aright : So patience doth the minde dispose and frame , To take mishaps in worth , and count them light , As losse of Fish , Line , Hooke , or Lead , or all , Or other chance that often may befall . The fist good guift is low Humilitie , As when a Lyon coucheth for his pray So must he stoope or kneele vpon his knee , To saue his line or put the weedes away , Or lye along sometime if neede there be , For any let or chance that happen may , And not to scorne to take a little paine , To serue his turne his pleasure to obtaine . The sixt is painefull strength and courage good , The greatest to incounter in the Brooke , If that he happen in his angry mood , To snatch your bayte , and beare away your Hooke With wary skill to rule him in the Flood , Vntill more quiet , tame , and milde he looke , And all aduentures constantly to beare , That may betide without mistrust or feare . Next vnto this is Liberalitie , Feeding them oft with full and plenteous hand , Of all the rest a needfull qualitie , To draw them neere the place where you will stand , Like to the ancient hospitalitie , That sometime dwelt in Albions fertile land , But now is sent away into exile , Beyond the bounds of Issabellas Ile , The eight is knowledge how to finde the way To make them bite when they are dull and slow , And what doth let the same and breedes delay , And euery like impediment to know , That keepes them from their foode and wanted pray , Within the streame , or standing waters low , And with experience skilfully to proue , All other faults to mend or to remoue . The ninth is placabillitie of minde , Contented with a reasonable dish , Yea though sometimes no sport at all he finde , Or that the weather proue not to his wish . The tenth is thankes to that God , of each kinde , To net and bayt doth send both foule and Fish , And still reserue inough in secret store , To please the rich , and to relieue the poore . Th' eleauenth good guift and hardest to indure , Is fasting long from all superfluous fare , Vnto the which he must himselfe inure , By exercise and vse of dyet spare , And with the liquor of the waters pure , Acquaint himselfe if he cannot forbeare , And neuer on his greedy belly thinke , From rising sunne vntill a low he sincke . The twelth and last of all is memory , Remembring well before he setteth out , Each needfull thing that he must occupy , And not to stand of any want in doubt , Or leaue something behinde forgetfully : When he hath walkt the fields and brokes about , It were a griefe backe to returne againe , For things forgot that should his sport maintaine . Here then you see what kinde of quallities , An Angler should indued be with all , Besides his skill and other properties , To serue his turne , as to his lot doth fall : But now what season for this exercise , The fittest is and which doth serue but small , My Muse vouchsafe some little ayd to lend , To bring this also to the wished end . Season and time not to Angle . FIrst , if the weather be to dry and hot , And scalds with scorching heate the lowly plaine , As if that youthfull Phaeton had got , The guiding of his fathers Carte againe , Or that it seem'd Apolle had forgot His light foote steedes to rule with stedfast raine , It is not good with any line or Hooke , To Angle then in riuer , pond , or brooke . Or When cold Boreas with his frosty beard , Lookes out from vnderneath the lesser beare , And makes the weary trauailer afeard , To see the valleys couered euery where With Ice and Snow , that late so greene appear'd , The waters stand as if of steele they weare : And hoary frosts doe hange on euery bough , Where freshest leaues of summer late did grow . So neither if Don Aeolus le ts goe , His blustring windes out of the hollow deepe , Where he their strife and strugling to and fro With triple forke doth still in order keepe , They rushing forth doe rage with tempests so , As if they would the world togither sweepe , And ruffling so with sturdy blasts they blow , That tree and house sometimes they ouer throw . Besides when shepheards and the swaines prepare , Vnto the brookes with all their flockes of sheepe , To wash their fleeces and to make them faire , In euery poole and running water deepe , The sauour of the wooll doth so impaire , The pleasant streames , and plunging that they keepe , As if that Lethe-floud ran euery where , Or bitter Doris intermingled were . Or when land flouds through long and sudden raine , Discending from the hills and higher ground , The sand and mud the christall streames doe staine , And make them rise aboue their wonted bound , To ouer flow the fields and neighbour plaine , The fruitfull soyle and Meadowes faire are drownd , The husbandman doth leese his grasse and hay , The bankes their trees , and bridges borne away . So when the leaues begin to fall apace , And bough and braunch are naked to be seene , While nature doth her former worke deface , Vnclothing bush , and tree , of summers greene , Whose scattered spoiles lye thicke in euery place , As sands on shore or starres the poles betweene , And top and bottome of the riuers fill , To Angle then I also thinke it ill . All windes are hurtfull if too hard they blow , The worst of all is that out of the East , Whose nature makes the Fish to biting slow , And lets the pastime most of all the rest , The next that comes from countries clad with Snow , And Articque pole is not offensiue least , The Southern winde is counted best of all , Then , that which riseth where the sunne doth fall . Best times and season to Angle . BVt if the weather stedfast be and cleare , Or ouercast with clouds , so it be dry , And that no signe nor token there appeare , Of threatning storme through all the empty skie , But that the ayre is clame and voide of feare , Of rufling windes or raging tempests hie , Or that with milde and gentle gale they blow , Then is it good vnto the brooke to goe , And when the flouds are fall'n and past away , And caried haue the dregges into the deepe , And that the waters waxe more thin and gray , And leaue their bankes aboue them high and steepe , The milder streame of colour like to whay , Within his bounds his wonted course doth keepe , And that the wind is South or else by-West , To Angle then is time and seasons best When faire Aurora rising early shewes Her blushing face beyond the Easterne hils , And dyes the heauenly vault with purple rewes , That far abroad the world with brightnes fils , The Meadowes greene are hoare with siluer dewes , That on the earth the sable night distills , And chanting birds with merry notes bewray , The neere approaching of the chearefull day . Then let him goe to Riuer , Brooke , or Lake , That loues the sport , where store of Fish abound , And through the pleasant fields his iourney make , Amid'st sweet Pastures , Meadowes fresh and sound , Where he may best his choice of pastime take , While swift Hyperion runnes his circle round ; And as the place shall to his liking proue , There still remaine or further else remoue . To know each Fishes haunt . NOw that the Angler may the better know Where he may finde each Fish he doth require , Since some delight in waters still and slow , And some doe loue the Mud and slimy mire ; Some others where the streame doth swifter flow , Some stony ground , and grauell some desire , Here shall he learne how euery sort doe seeke , To haunt the Layre that doth his nature like . Carpe , Eele , and Tench , doe loue a muddie ground , Eeles vnder stones or hollow rootes doe lye ; The Tench among thicke weedes is soonest found , The fearefull Carpe into the deepe doth flie , Bream , Chub and Pike , where clay and sand abound , Pike loues great pooles , and places full of frie : The Chub delights in streame or shadie tree , And tender Breame in broadest lake to be . The Salmon swift the Riuers sweet doth like , Where largest streames into the Sea are led : The spotted Trout the smaller Brookes doth seeke , And in the deepest hole there hides his head : The prickled Pearch in euery hollow creeke , Hard by the banke , and sandy shoare is fed . Pearch , Trout , and Salmon loue cleere waters all , Greene weedy rockes , and stony grauell small . So doth the Bulhead , Goodgion , and the Loache , Who most in shallow Brookes delight to be , The Ruffe , the Dace , the Barbill and the Roach , Grauell and sand doe loue in lesse degree , But to the deepe and shade doe more approach , And ouerhead some couert loue to see , Of spreading Poplar , Oake or Willow greene , Where vnderneath they lurke for beeing seene . The mighty Luce great waters haunts alway , And in the stillest place thereof doth lye , Saue when he raungeth foorth to seeke his pray , And swift among the feerefull fish doth flye , The dainty Humber loues the marley clay , And cleerest streames of champion countrie hye , And in the chiefest pooles thereof doth rest , Where he is soonest found and taken best . The Chauender amidst the waters fayre , In swiftest streames doth most himselfe bestow , The Shad and Tweat doe rather like the laire , Of brackish waues , where it doth ebbe and flow , And thither also doth the flocke repaire , And flat vpon the bottom lyeth low , The Peele , the Mullet and the Suant good Doe like the same , and therein seeke their food . But here experience doth my skill exceed , Since diuers Countries diuers Riuers haue ; And diuers Riuers change of waters breed , And change of waters sundry Fish doth craue , And sundry Fish in diuers places feede , As best doth like them in the liquid waue , So that by vse and practise may be knowne , More then by art or skill can well be showne . So then it shall be needlesse to declare , What sundry kindes there lie in secret store , And where they doe resort , and what they are , That may be still discouered more and more : Let him that list no paine nor trauell spare To seeke them out , as I haue done before , And then it shall not discontent his minde , New choice of place , and change of game to find . The best houres of the day to Angle . FRom first appearing of the rising Sunne , Till nine of clocke low vnder water best The Fish will bite , and then from nine to noone , From noone to foure they doe refraine and rest , From foure againe till Phoebus swift hath runne , His daily course , and setteth in the West : But at the flie aloft they vse to bite , All summer long from nine till it be night . Now least the Angler leaue his Tooles behinde , For lacke of heed or haste of his desire , And so inforced with vnwilling minde , Must leaue his game and backe againe retire , Such things to fetch as there he cannot finde To serue his turne when neede shall most require , Here shall he haue to helpe his memory , A lesson short of euery wants supply . Light Rod to strike , long line to reach withall , Strong hooke to holde the fish he haps to hit , Spare Lines and Hookes , what euer chance doe fall , Baites quicke and dead to bring them to the bit , Fine Lead and Quils with Corks both great and small , Knife , File and thred , and little Basket fit , Plummets to sound the depth of clay and sand , With Pole and Net to bring them safe to land . And now we are ariued at the last , In wished harbour where we meane to rest ; And make an end of this our iourney past : Here then in quiet roade I thinke it best We strike our sailes and stedfast Anchor cast For now the Sunne low setteth in the West , And yee Boat-Swaines , a merry Carroll sing , To him that safely did vs hither bring . FINIS .

Wouldst thou catch Fish ? Then here 's thy wish ; Take this receipt , To annoynt thy Baite . THou that desir'st to fish with Line and Hooke , Be it in poole , in Riuer , or in Brooke , To blisse thy baite , and make the Fish to bite : Loe , here 's a meanes , if thou canst hit it right , Take Gum of life , fine beat , and laid in soake In Oyle , well drawne from that which kils the Oake , Fish where thou wilt , thou shalt haue sport thy fill , When twenty faile , thou shalt be sure to kill . Probatum . It 's perfect and good , If well vnderstood ; Else not to be tolde For Siluer or Golde . B. R. FINIS .