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 practise this recreation, to which I shall encourage them. For Angling may be said to be so like the Mathematics, that it can never be fully learned; 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 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 use 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 observations and the communications 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. TO MY DEAR BROTHER, UPON HIS COMPLETE ANGLER. ERASMUS, in his learned Colloquies, 'Twas so to me; who saw the cheerful spring Jo. FLOUD,* Master of Arts. TO THE READER OF THE COMPLETE ANGLER. FIRST, mark the title well: my friend that gave it His baits will tempt us, and his hooks hold fast. Pleasure or profit, either prose or rhyme, Deck'd and adorn'd with flowers of Poetry, Nor are we caught alone, but, which is best, And danger of a surfeit here is none. More praise is due for 'tis both positive CH. HARVIE,* Master of Arts. * TO MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. IZAAK WALTON, IN PRAISE OF ANGLING, WHICH WE BOTH LOVE. Down by this smooth stream's wandering side, Of Flora's wardrobe, where the shrill Aerial choir express their skill, First, in alternate melody, And then in chorus all agree. Whilst the charm'd fish, as ecstasied Supposed to be Christopher Harvie, for whom see Athen Oron. vol. i. et vide infra, chap. v. 'Tis here that pleasures sweet and high Prostrate to our embraces lie: Such as to body, soul, or fame, Create no sickness, sin, or shame : Roses, not fenced with pricks, grow here; An obvious rod, a twist of hair, In this clear stream let fall a grub, And at that nimble ford, no doubt, Your false fly cheats a speckled Trout. When you these creatures wisely choose To practise on, which to your use Owe their creation, and when Fish from your arts do rescue men, |