At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and be eye-witnesses of the success, not of your fortune, but your skill, it would doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like you, and that emulation might beget an industrious diligence to be so: but I know it is not atainable by common capacities. Sir, this pleasant curiositie of Fish and Fishing (of which you are so great a Master) has been thought worthy the_ pens _and_ practices _of divers in other Nations, which have been reputed men of great_ Learning _and_ Wisdome; _and amongst those of this Nation, I remember Sir_ Henry Wotton _(a dear lover of this Art) has told me, that his intentions were to write a discourse of the Art, and in the praise of Angling, and doubtless he had done so, if death had not prevented him; the remembrance of which hath often made me sorry; for, if he had lived to do it, then the unlearned Angler (of which I am one) had seen some Treatise of this Art worthy his perusal, which (though some have undertaken it) I could never yet see in English. But mine may be thought: as weak and as unworthy of common view: and I do here freely confess that I should rather excuse myself, then censure others my own Discourse being liable to so many exceptions; against which, you (Sir) might make this one, That it can contribute nothing to your knowledge; and lest a longer Epistle may diminish your pleasure, I shall not adventure to make this Epistle longer then to add this following truth, That I am really, Sir, Your most affectionate Friend, and most humble Servant, Iz. Wa. To the _Reader of this Discourse_: But especially, To the honest ANGLER. I think fit to tell thee these following truths; that I did not undertake to write, or to publish this discourse of _fish_ and _fishing_, to please my self, and that I wish it may not displease others; for, I have confest there are many defects in it. And yet, I cannot doubt, but that by it, some readers may receive so much _profit_ or _pleasure_, as if they be not very busie men, may make it not unworthy the time of their perusall; and this is all the confidence that I can put on concerning the merit of this Book.