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小说: the complete angler 字数: 每页4000字

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 used to rise in the night; will make them to appear above ground presently。 And you may take notice; some say that camphire put into your bag with your moss and worms gives them a strong and so tempting a smell; that the fish fare the worse and you the better for it。

And now; I shall shew you how to bait your hook with a worm so as shall prevent you from much trouble; and the loss of many a hook; too; when you fish for a Trout with a running line; that is to say; when you fish for him by hand at the ground。 I will direct you in this as plainly as I can; that you may not mistake。

Suppose it be a big lob…worm: put your hook into him somewhat above the middle; and out again a little below the middle: having so done; draw your worm above the arming of your hook; but note; that; at the entering of your hook; it must not be at the head…end of the worm; but at the tail…end of him; that the point of your hook may come out toward the head…end; and; having drawn him above the arming of your hook; then put the point of your hook again into the very head of the worm; till it come near to the place where the point of the hook first came out; and then draw back that part of the worm that was above the shank or arming of your hook; and so fish with it。 And if you mean to fish with two worms; then put the second on before you turn back the hook's… head of the first worm。 You cannot lose above two or three worms before you attain to what I direct you; and having attained it; you will find it very useful; and thank me for it: for you will run on the ground without tangling。

Now for the Minnow or Penk: he is not easily found and caught till March; or in April; for then he appears first in the river; nature having taught him to shelter and hide himself; in the winter; in ditches that be near to the river; and there both to hide; and keep himself warm; in the mud; or in the weeds; which rot not so soon as in a running river; in which place if he were in winter; the distempered floods that are usually in that season would suffer him to take no rest; but carry him headlong to mills and weirs; to his confusion。 And of these Minnows: first; you are to know; that the biggest size is not the best; and next; that the middle size and the whitest are the best; and then you are to know; that your minnow must be so put on your hook; that it must turn round when 'tis drawn against the stream; and; that it may turn nimbly; you must put it on a big…sized hook; as I shall now direct you; which is thus: Put your hook in at his mouth; and out at his gill; then; having drawn your hook two or three inches beyond or through his gill; put it again into his mouth; and the point and beard out at his tail; and then tie the hook and his tail about; very neatly; with a white thread; which will make it the apter to turn quick in the water; that done; pull back that part of your line which was slack when you did put your hook into the minnow the second time; I say; pull that part of your line back; so that it shall fasten the head; so that the body of the minnow shall be almost straight on your hook: this done; try how it will turn; by drawing it across the water or against a stream; and if it do not turn nimbly; then turn the tail a little to the right or left hand; and try again; till it turn quick; for if not; you are in danger to catch nothing: for know; that it is impossible that it should turn too quick。 And you are yet to know; that in case you want a minnow; then a small loach; or a stickle…bag; or any other small fish that will turn quick; will serve as well。 And you are yet to know that you may salt them; and by that means keep them ready and fit for use three or four days; or longer; and that; of salt; bay…salt is the best。

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。

Pliny holds an opinion; that many have their birth; or being; from a dew that in the spring falls upon the leaves of trees; and that some kinds of them are from a dew left upon herbs or flowers; and others from a dew left upon coleworts or cabbages: all which kinds of dews being thickened and condensed; are by the sun's generative heat; most of them; hatched; and in three days made living creatures。 and these of several shapes and colours; some being hard and tough; some smooth and soft; some are horned in their head; some in their tail; some have none; some have hair; some none: some have sixteen feet; some less; and some have none: but; as our Topsel hath with great diligence observed; those which have none; move upon the earth; or upon broad leaves; their motion being not unlike to the waves of the sea。 Some of them he also observes to be bred of the eggs of other caterpillars; and that those in their time turn to be butterflies; and again; that their eggs turn the following year to be caterpillars And some affirm; that every plant has its particular fly or caterpillar; which it breeds and feeds。 I have seen; and may therefore affirm it; a green caterpillar; or worm; as big as a small peascod; which had fourteen legs; eight on the belly; four under the neck; and two near the tail。 It was found on a hedge of privet; and was taken thence; and put into a large box; and a little branch or two of privet put to it; on which I saw it feed as sharply as a dog gnaws a bone: it lived thus; five or six days; and thrived; and changed the colour two or three times but by some neglect in the keeper of it; it then died and did not turn to a fly: but if it had lived; it had doubtless turned to one of those flies that some call Flies of prey; which those that walk by the rivers may; in summer; see fasten on smaller flies; and; I think; make them their food。 And 'tis observable; that as there be these flies of prey; which be very large; so there be others; very little; created; I think; only to feed them; and breed out of I know not what; whose life; they say; nature intended not to exceed an hour; and yet that life is thus made shorter by other flies; or accident。

'Tis endless to tell you what the curious searchers into nature's productions have observed of these worms and flies: but yet I shall tell you what Aldrovandus; our Topsel; and others; say of the Palmer…worm; or Caterpillar: that whereas others content themselves to feed on particular herbs or leaves; for most think; those very leaves that gave them life and shape; give them a particular feeding and nourishment; and that upon them they usually abide; yet he observes; that this is called a pilgrim; or palmer…worm; for his very wandering life; and various food; not contenting himself; as others do; with any one certain place for his abode; nor any certain kind of herb or flower for his feeding; but will boldly and di

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