This book is included in the Self Reliance Hunting, Skinning & Tanning section.
Introduction THIS Work has, for a period of years, enjoyed a degree of public approbation, which few other similar publications can boast of; and it is presumed that it has been practically useful in proportion to the fame it has acquired; it is, however, a truth universally acknowledged, that art, though it continually advances in excellence, is never known to arrive at perfection. If this remark be true with respect to the higher branches of human knowledge, it is also applicable to the humble business of Angling, which, whether pursued for pleasure or profit, is yet capable, as an art, of constant and indefinite improvement. Whatever merit we may attribute to the Author, his condition in life and circumscribed course of reading, prevented the possibility of his acquiring correct information on literary subjects; and it has been found expedient to omit the puerilities of an antiquated and obsolete philosophy, to make room for extracts from modern writers, more useful and interesting. In order to render Ibis new edition of "Bowlker's Art of Angling" more deserving of general approbation, it has been carefully corrected, improved, and greatly enlarged: in every part of the work these improvements will be recognized and duly appreciated by the judicious angler; but especially in that part which treats on Fly-fishing. This branch of the art is the most agreeable and important, and may be practised, with the artificial fly, so as to be freed from an objection sometimes brought against angling, as a cruel and ungenerous amusement, deriving great part of its attendant pleasure from the sufferings of the miserable insect writhing in torment, impaled upon the hook. Now, though it will be admitted on all hands, that this objection has no proper bearing on the subject, so far as concerns the pleasure derived from it, yet as every humane angler will wish to remove from his favourite amusement such attendant circumstances as produce painful feelings on reflection, he will be induced to use the imitative in preference to the living bait. If the activity necessary to this mode be taken into consideration, it must be considered more favourable to health than the tedious watchings of other modes of angling. But after all, it must be conceded, that different tastes have different sources of enjoyment: the grave and contemplative mind enjoys the still and peaceful scene; the cheerful and sprightly temper, is active even in its amusements. Angling suits either of these habits. In adapting appropriate embellishments to suit the improved taste of the age, the publishers have considered utility as well as ornament, and the correct delineation of the fishes and flies will serve to guide the inexperienced practitioner, in some cases, where it is important to distinguish the species. It will be universally acknowledged that no book of written instructions can make a proficient in any art; yet a good book may be useful, and in some cases absolutely necessary, and it is hoped our little work will be found effective for every purpose of usefulness. Every science has its rules and axioms, and the following hortatory remarks will be deemed of sufficient importance to be retained. Patience is ever allowed to be a great virtue, and is one of the first requisites for an angler. In your excursion to or from fishing, should you overheat yourself with walking, avoid small liquors and water as you would poison; a glass of generous wine, brandy, or rum, is more likely to promote cooling effects, without danger of taking cold. Whenever you begin to angle, wet the ends of the joints of your rod, to make them swell, which will prevent their loosening: and if you happen, with rain or otherwise, to wet your rod, so that you cannot pull the joints asunder, turn the ferrule round in the flame of a candle, and they will easily separate. An angler should always be careful to keep out of sight of the fish, by standing as far from the bank as possible; but muddy water renders this caution unnecessary. A judicious angler should observe that his amusement must be avoided in a strong east or cold north wind; as both are injurious to health, and unfriendly to sport. Also, after a long drought. In the middle of days that are excessively hot and bright. When there has been a white frost in the morning. In days of high wind. In places where they have been long washing sheep. Upon the sudden rising of clouds that precede rain. On days following dark windy nights. In ponds, angle near the fords where cattle go to drink; and in rivers, angle for Bream in the deepest and most quiet parts; for Eels, under trees hanging over banks; for Chub, in deep shaded holes; for Perch, in scours; for Roach, in winter, in the deeps, at all other times where you angle for Perch; and for Trout in quick streams. When you have hooked a fish, never suffer it to run out with the line; but keep the rod bent, and as nearly perpendicular as you can; by this method the top plies to every pull the fish makes, and you prevent the straining of the line. Never raise a large fish out of the water by taking hold of the line, but either put a landing net under it, or your hat. You may, in flyfishing, lay hold of the line to draw a fish to you, but this must be done with caution. The silk for tying on hooks and other fine work, must be very small; use it double, and wax it with shoemaker's wax; should the wax be too stiff, temper it with tallow. Enclose the knots and joints of the line in little pills of wax, pressed very close, and the superfluities pinched off; this will soon harden, and prevent the knots from drawing. If for strong fishing you use grass, which, when you can get it tine, is to be preferred to gut, remember always to soak it an hour in water before using it; this will make it tough, and prevent its sinking. Before fixing the loop of gut to the hook, in order to make a fly, singe the end of it to prevent its drawing; do the same by hair, to which at any time you whip a hook. Make flies in warm weather only, for in cold, the waxed silk will not draw. In rainy weather, or when the season for angling is over, repair whatever damage your tackle has sustained. Never regard what bunglers and slovens tell you, but believe that neatness in your tackle, and a masterly hand in all your work, are absolutely necessary. As dry feet are conducive to health, we have copied an excellent receipt for the angler's use, which will prevent boots or shoes from letting in water: "take a pint of linseed oil, half a pound of mutton suet, six or eight ounces of bees wax, and a halfpenny worth of resin; melt these in a pipkin together, and then let ft cool till it be luke-warm, take a small hair brush and lay it on the boots; but it is much better to be laid on the leather before the boots are made, and brushed once over with it, when made: as for old boots or shoes, you must brush them with it when they are dry." Lastly, those who value health, do not begin the delightful recreation of angling till March; although, in some years, if the weather be open and mild, February may afford more diversion. Contents ALPINE Trout, or Gilt Charr, remarks on, page 28. Angler's Song, 114. Barbel, remarks on, 63 ; baits for, etc. 64. Bleak, remarks on, and baits for, 73. Bobbing, or dibbing, for Trout, 26. Bream, remarks on, 61; baits for, etc. 62. Bullhead, or Miller's Thumb, remarks on, 83. Cabbage-grub -fishing, 126. Carp, remarks on, 50 ; baits for, 53; observations on the breeding of, 54; mongrel breeds, 58. Chub, remarks on, 70 ; Walton's receipt how to dress, 71 ; baits for, 72. Cod-bait-fishiiig, 124. Dace, or Dare, remarks on, 68 ; baits for, 69. Eel, remarks on, 76 ; haunts of, 77 ; to angle for, 78 ; sniggling for, 79 ; night lines for, 80. Flounder, remarks on, and baits, , 75. Flies, materials for making artificial, 94; directions for making a fly, 95 ; a list of flies to kill throughout the season, 96 to 110. Flyfishing, artificial, 85; extract from Col, Hawker on, 86; tackle described, 87; throwing a fly, 89; killing your fish, 91, Grasshopper-fishing, 125, Gravel Last-spriug, remarks on, 20. Grey Salmon, remarks on, 20. Greyling, remarks on, 30 ; baits for, 31. Gudgeon, remarks on 74; baits for, 75. Gwiniad, remarks on, 29. Introduction, iii. Laws relating to Angling, 132 Loach, remarks on, 82. Maggot-fishing, 123. Maggots, to preserve in winter 123. Minnow, remarks on, 81. Moths, white and brown, 112. Palmer worms, 113. Pastes, various, 126. Perch, remarks on, 47; baits for, 48. Pike, remarks on, 33; anecdotes of the voracity of, 34 ; baits for, 37 ; to troll for, 38; another way, 40 ; trimmer described, 42; leiger described, 44; spring snap, 45 ; snaring or haltering, 46. Rivers, several described, 9. Roach, remarks on, 66; haunts of, and baits, 67; tackle described, 68; Rud, remarks on, 65; baits for, 66. Ruffe, or Ruffe Perch, remarks on, 49 ; baits for, ib. Salmon, remarks on, 13: tackle described, 17; baits for, 18. Salmon Trout, 21. Salmon Flies, 111. Salmon spawn, how to preserve, 127. Skegger Trout, 29. Stickleback, remarks on, 83. Teuch, remarks on, 59; baits, etc. 60. Trout, remarks on, 22 ; tackle described, 24; baits for, 24 to 27. Trolling for Trout, 115 ; kill-devil for trolling, 118. Wasp-grub-fishing, 124. "Weather, observations on, 128 ; weather table, 131. Worms, lobworms, 120 ; red worms, ib. Brandlings, 121 ; marsh worms, ib. to cleanse and scour worms, ib. Worm-fishing, 119. End of Preview. RETURN to Main Titles Index or Self Reliance Hunting, Skinning & Tanning
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