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And here let me tell you, what many old anglers know right well,
that at
some times, and in some waters, a minnow is not to be got; and
therefore, let me tell you, I have, which I will shew to you, an
artificial
minnow, that will catch a Trout as well as an artificial fly: and
it was
made by a handsome woman that had a fine hand, and a live minnow
lying by her: the mould or body of the minnow was cloth, and wrought
upon, or over it, thus, with a needle; the back of it with very
sad French
green silk, and paler green silk towards the belly, shadowed as
perfectly
as you can imagine, just as you see a minnow: the belly was wrought
also with a needle, and it was, a part of it, white silk; and another
part
of it with silver thread: the tail and fins were of a quill, which
was
shaven thin: the eyes were of two little black beads: and the head
was
so shadowed, and all of it so curiously wrought, and so exactly
dissembled, that it would beguile any sharp-sighted Trout in a swift
stream. And this minnow I will now shew you; look, here it is, and,
if
you like it, lend it you, to have two or three made by it; for they
be
easily carried about an angler, and be of excellent use: for note,
that a
large Trout will come as fiercely at a minnow as the highest-mettled
hawk doth seize on a partridge, or a greyhound on a hare. I have
been
told that one hundred and sixty minnows have been found in a Trout's
belly: either the Trout had devoured so many, or the miller that
gave it a
friend of mine had forced them down his throat after he had taken
him.
Now for Flies; which is the third bait wherewith Trouts are usually
taken. You are to know, that there are so many sorts of flies
as there be
of fruits: I will name you but some of them; as the dun-fly, the
stone-
fly, the red-fly, the moor-fly, the tawny-fly, the shell-fly,
the cloudy or
blackish-fly, the flag-fly, the vine-fly; there be of flies, caterpillars,
and
canker-flies, and bear-flies; and indeed too many either for me
to name,
or for you to remember. And their breeding is so various and
wonderful, that I might easily amaze myself, and tire you in a
relation
of them.
And, yet, I will exercise your promised patience by saying a
little of the
caterpillar, or the palmer-fly or worm; that by them you may guess
what
a work it were, in a discourse, but to run over those very many
flies,
worms, and little living creatures, with which the sun and summer
adorn and beautify the river-banks and meadows, both for the
recreation and contemplation of us anglers; pleasures which, I
think,
myself enjoy more than any other man that is not of my profession.
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