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And yet you are to observe, that as there is no general rule without
an
exception, so there are some few rivers in this nation that have
Trouts
and Salmon in season in winter, as 'tis certain there be in the
river Wye
in Monmouthshire, where they be in season, as Camden observes, from
September till April. But, my scholar, the observation of this and
many
other things I must in manners omit, because they will prove too
large
for our narrow compass of time, and, therefore, T shall next fall
upon
my directions how to fish for this Salmon.
And, for that: First you shall observe, that usually he stays
not long in a
place, as Trouts will, but, as I said, covets still to go nearer
the spring-
head: and that he does not, as the Trout and many other fish,
lie near
the water-side or bank, or roots of trees, but swims in the deep
and
broad parts of the water, and usually in the middle, and near
the ground,
and that there you are to fish for him, and that he is to be caught,
as the
Trout is, with a worm, a minnow which some call a peek, or with
a fly.
And you are to observe, that he is very seldom observed to bite
at a
minnow, yet sometimes he will, and not usually at a fly, but more
usually at a worm, and then most usually at a lob or garden-worm,
which should be well scoured, that is to say, kept seven or eight
days in
moss before you fish with them: and if you double your time of
eight
into sixteen, twenty, or more days, it is still the better; for
the worms
will still be clearer, tougher, and more lively, and continue
so longer
upon your hook. And they may be kept longer by keeping them cool,
and in fresh moss; and some advise to put camphire into it.
Note also, that many used to fish for a Salmon with a ring of
wire on
the top of their rod, through which the line may run to as great
a length
as is needful, when he is hooked. And to that end, some use a
wheel
about the middle of their rod, or near their hand, which is to
be
observed better by seeing one of them than by a large demonstration
of
words.
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