The Field Book: or, Sports and pastimes of the United Kingdom: compiled from the best authorities, ancient and modernMaxwell, W. H. (William Hamilton)
History
The Field Book: or, Sports and pastimes of the United Kingdom: compiled from the best authorities, ancient and modern
Maxwell, W. H. (William Hamilton)
Amusements -- Great Britain; Sports -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Great Britain
For the ground-bait, get a peck, or peck and a half, according to the
greatness of stream and depth of water, of sweet gross ground malt, or
unground wheat, which is thought preferable; boil it very little, and
strain it through a bag: when cold, at night, cast in two parts of it
squeezed hard between the hands, so that it may rest in the precise spot
where you mean to angle; and if this be repeated for two or three times,
it will more certainly attract the fish. Recollect in a stream, to throw
it at least a yard above the place where you mean your hook to be, or
the stream will carry it too far down; some sew worms for the fish to
feed on, upon a turf of short grass, nearly to cover the turf, which is
then fastened to a round board, with a hole through that and the turf,
where a cord runs, and is tied to a pole to let down to the bottom.
Bream generally choose the broadest and deepest part of a river, and in
hot weather are easily seen swimming in shoals; there, or thereabouts,
with a clear bottom, take the exact depth, making some mark that shall
explain if any rise or fall has taken place in consequence of
watermills, &c.
The ground thus baited, the worms and tackling prepared, by three or
four in the morning, with great caution approach the place, so as not to
be seen by the fish; some of them are frequently at the top of the
water, whilst the rest are feeding beneath. Having baited the hook that
the worm can move at bottom, cast it, and by drawing it gently to you,
let the lead rest about the middle of the ground bait; a second rod
should be a yard or two above, and a third a yard or two below it;
retire from the water so far as just to perceive the top of the floats;
when there is a bite the top of the float will sink suddenly; remain
quiet until the line goes clear away, then creep to the water-side, and
give as much line as possible; if it be a good carp or bream it will go
to the farther side of the river, strike gently, and hold the rod at the
proper bend, that it may tire him; for if both pull together, either
line, hook, or hold, will break, and the fish will be lost. The bream is
strong, and runs hard when first struck; but after two or three turns,
he will fall on his side, which enables you easily to land him: the carp
is far stronger and more mettlesome than the bream; it is advisable to
use a reel upon the rods for carp, barbel, or bream; the length of line
kills the fish with ease, and increases the angler’s amusement.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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