5Venat.     My friend Piscator , you have kept time with my
6thoughts, for the Sun is just rising, and I my self just now come
7to this place, and the dogs have just now put down an Otter ;
8look down at the bottom of the hill there in that Meadow,
9chequered with water-Lillies , and Lady-smocks , there you may
10see what work they make; look, look, you may see all busie,
11men and dogs, dogs and men, all busie.

12Pisc.     Sir, I am right glad to meet you, and glad to have so
13fair an entrance into this dayes sport, and glad to see so many
14dogs, and more men all in pursuit of the Otter ; lets complement
15no longer, but joyn unto them; come honest Venator , lets be
16gone, let us make hast; I long to be doing: no reasonable hedg
17or ditch shall hold me.

18Ven.     Gentleman Huntsman, where found you this Otter ?

19Hunt.     Marry (Sir) we found her a mile from this place a
20fishing; she has this morning eaten the greatest part of this
21Trout ; she has only left thus much of it as you see, and was
22fishing for more; when we came we found her just at it: but we
23were here very early, we were here an hour before Sun-rise,
24and have given her no rest since we came; sure she will hardly
25escape all these dogs and men. I am to have the skin if we kill
26her.

27Ven.     Why, Sir, what's the skin worth?

28Hunt.     'Tis worth ten shillings to make gloves; the gloves of
29an Otter are the best fortification for your hands that can be
30thought on against wet weather.

31Pisc.     I pray, honest Huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant
32question, do you hunt a beast or a fish?

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33Hunt.     Sir, It is not in my power to resolve you, I leave it to
34be resolved by the Colledge of Carthusians , who have made
35vows never to eat flesh. But I have heard, the question hath
36been debated among many great Clerks, and they seem to
37differ about it; yet most agree that her tail is Fish: and if her
38body be Fish too, then I may say, that a Fish will walk upon
39land, (for an Otter does so) sometimes five or six, or ten miles in
40a night to catch for her young ones, or to glut herself with Fish,
41and I can tell you that Pigeons will fly forty miles for a breakfast,
42but Sir , I am sure the Otter devours much Fish, and kills and
43spoils much more than he eats: And I can tell you, that this
44Dog-fisher (for so the Latins call him) can smell a Fish in the
45water an hundred yards from him ( Gesner says much farther)
46and that his stones are good against the Falling-sickness: and
47that there is an herb Benione , which being hung in a linnen
48cloth near a Fish-pond, or any haunt that he uses, makes him
49to avoid the place; which proves he can smell both by water
50and land; and I can tell you there is brave hunting this Waterdog
51in Corn-wall , where there have been so many, that our
52learned Cambden says, there is a River called Ottersey , which was
53so named, by reason of the abundance of Otters that bred and
54fed in it.
55    And thus much for my knowledg of the Otter , which you may
56now see above water at vent, and the dogs close with him; I
57now see he will not last long, follow therefore my Masters,
58follow, for Sweetlips was like to have him at this last vent.

59Ven.     Oh me, all the Horse are got over the River, what shall
60we do now? shall we follow them over the water?

61Hunt.     No, Sir , no, be not so eager, stay a little and follow
62me, for both they, and the dogs will be suddenly on this side
63again, I warrant you: and the Otter too, it may be: now have
64at him with Kilbuck , for he vents again.

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65Ven.     Marry so he do's, for look he vents in that corner. Now,
66now Ringwood has him: now he's gone again, and has bit the
67poor dog. Now Sweetlips has him; hold him Sweetlips ! now all
68the dogs have him, some above and some under water; but
69now, now he's tir'd, and past losing: come bring him to me,
70Sweetlips . Look, 'tis a Bitch-Otter , and she has lately whelp'd,
71let's go to the place where she was put down , and not far from it
72you will find all her young ones, I dare warrant you, and kill
73them all too.

74Hunt.     Come, Gentlemen, come all, let's go to the place
75where we put down the Otter . Look you, hereabout it was that
76she kennel'd; look you, here it was indeed, for here's her young
77ones, no less than five; come let's kill them all.

78Pisc.     No, I pray Sir, save me one, and I'll try if I can make
79her tame, as I know an ingenious Gentleman in Leicester-shire
80(Mr. Nich. Seagrave ) has done; who hath not only made her
81tame, but to catch Fish, and do many other things of much
82pleasure.

83Hunt.     Take one with all my heart, but let us kill the rest.
84And now let's go to an honest Ale-house, where we may have a
85cup of good Barley-wine , and sing Old Rose , and all of us rejoyce
86together.

87Venat.     Come my friend, Piscator , let me invite you along
88with us; I'll bear you charges this night, and you shall bear
89mine to morrow; for my intention is to accompany you a day
90or two in Fishing.

91Pisc.     Sir, your request is granted, and I shall be right glad,
92both to exchange such a courtesie, and also to enjoy your
93company.

94Venat.     Well, now let's go to your sport of Angling.

95Pisc.     Let's be going with all my heart. God keep you all,
96Gentlemen, and send you meet this day with another Bitch-Otter,
97and kill her merrily, and all her young ones too.

98Ven.     Now, Piscator , where will you begin to fish?

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99Pisc.     We are not yet come to a likely place, I must walk a
100mile further yet, before I begin.

101Venat.     Well then, I pray, as we walk tell me freely, how do
102you like your lodging and mine Hoste and the company? is not
103mine Hoste a witty man?

104Pisc.     Sir, I will tell you presently what I think of your Hoste;
105but first I will tell you, I am glad these Otters were killed, and I
106am sorry there are no more Otter-killers : for I know that the
107want of Otter-killers , and the not keeping the Fence months for the
108preservation of fish , will in time prove the destruction of all
109Rivers ; and those very few that are left, that make conscience of
110the Laws of the Nation, and of keeping days of abstinence, will
111be forced to eat flesh, or suffer more inconveniences than are
112yet foreseen.

113Venat.     Why, Sir, what be those you call the Fence
114months?

115Pisc.     Sir, they be principally three, namely, March, April ,
116and May , for these be the usual months that Salmon come out of
117the Sea to spawn in most fresh Rivers, and their Fry would
118about a certain time return back to the salt water, if they were
119not hindred by weres and unlawful gins , which the greedy
120Fisher-men set, and so destroy them by thousands, as they
121would (being so taught by nature) change the fresh for salt
122water . He that shall view the wise Statutes made in the 13 of
123Edw. the I. and the like in Rich. the III. may see several
124provisions made against the destruction of Fish: and though I
125profess no knowledg of the Law, yet I am sure the regulation of
126these defects might be easily mended. But I remember that a
127wise friend of mine did usually say, That which is every bodies
128business, is no bodies business . If it were otherwise, there could not
129be so many Nets and Fish that are under the Statute size, sold
130daily amongst us, and of which the conservators of the waters
131should be ashamed.
132    But above all, the taking Fish in Spawning time, may be said
133to be against nature; it is like the taking the dam on the nest

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134when she hatches her young: a sin so against nature, that
135Almighty God hath in the Levitical Law made a Law against
136it.
137    But the poor Fish have enemies enough beside such
138unnatural Fisher-men , as namely, the Otters that I spake of, the
139Cormorant , the Bittern , the Osprey , the Sea-gull , the Hern , the
140Kingfisher , the Gorrara , the Puet , the Swan, Goose, Ducks , and the
141Craber , which some call the Water-rat: against all which any
142honest man may make a just quarrel, but I will not, I will leave
143them to be quarreled with, and kill'd by others; for I am not of
144a cruel nature, I love to kill nothing but Fish.
145    And now to your question concerning your Hoste, to speak
146truly, he is not to me a good companion: for most of his conceits
147were either Scripture jests, or lascivious jests; for which I count
148no man witty, for the Devil will help a man that way inclined,
149to the first; and his own corrupt nature (which he always
150carries with him) to the latter. But a companion that feasts the
151company with wit and mirth , and leaves out the sin (which is
152usually mixt with them) he is the man; and indeed such a
153companion should have his charges born: and to such
154company I hope to bring you this night; for at Trout-hall , not
155far from this place, where I purpose to lodge to night, there is
156usually an Angler that proves good company: and let me tell
157you, good company and good discourse are the very sinews of
158vertue: but for such discourse as we heard last night, it infects
159others; the very boys will learn to talk and swear as they heard
160mine Host, and another of the company that shall be nameless;
161I am sorry the other is a Gentleman, for less Religion will not
162save their Souls than a beggars; I think more will be required
163at the last great day. Well, you know what Example is able to
164do, and I know what the Poet says in the like case, which is
165worthy to be noted by all parents and people of civility:
166VERSE OMITTED

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167VERSE OMITTED
168    This is reason put into Verse, and worthy the consideration
169of a wise man. But of this no more, for though I love civility,
170yet I hate severe censures: I'le to my own art, and I doubt not
171but at yonder tree I shall catch a Chub , and then we'l turn to an
172honest cleanly Hostess, that I know right well; rest our selves
173there, and dress it for our dinner.

174Venat.     Oh Sir, a Chub is the worst Fish that swims, I hoped
175for a Trout to my dinner.

176Pisc.     Trust me, Sir , there is not a likely place for a Trout
177hereabout, and we staid so long to take our leave of your
178Huntsmen this morning, that the Sun is got so high, and shines
179so clear, that I will not undertake the catching of a Trout till
180evening; and though a Chub be by you and many others
181reckoned the worst of fish , yet you shall see I'll make it a good
182Fish, by dressing it.

183Ven.     Why, how will you dress him?

184Pisc.     I'll tell you by and by, when I have caught him. Look
185you here, Sir, do you see? (but you must stand very close) there
186lye upon the top of the water in this very hole twenty Chubs : I'll
187catch only one, and that shall be the biggest of them all: and
188that I will do so, I'll hold you twenty to one, and you shall see
189it done.

190Venat.     I marry Sir, now you talk like an Artist, and I'll say
191you are one, when I shall see you perform what you say you
192can do; but I yet doubt it.

193Pisc.     You shall not doubt it long, for you shall see me do it
194presently: look, the biggest of these Chubs has had some bruise
195upon his tail, by a Pike or some other accident, and that looks
196like a white spot; that very Chub I mean to put into your hands
197presently; sit you but down in the shade, and stay but a little
198while, and I'le warrant you I'le bring him to you.

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199Venat.     I'le sit down and hope well, because you seem to be
200so confident.

201Pisc.     Look you Sir, there is a tryal of my skill, there he is,
202that very Chub that I shewed you with the white spot on his
203tail: and I'le be as certain to make him a good dish of meat, as
204I was to catch him. I'le now lead you to an honest Ale-house
205where we shall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the Windows,
206and twenty Ballads stuck about the wall; there my Hostess
207(which I may tell you, is both cleanly and handsome and civil)
208hath drest many a one for me, and shall now dress it after my
209fashion, and I warrant it good meat.

210Ven.     Come Sir, with all my heart, for I begin to be hungry,
211and long to be at it, and indeed to rest my self too; for though I
212have walk'd but four miles this morning, yet I begin to be
213weary; yesterdays hunting hangs still upon me.

214Pisc.     Well Sir, and you shall quickly be at rest, for yonder is
215the house I mean to bring you to.
216    Come Hostess, how do you? Will you first give us a cup of
217your best drink, and then dress this Chub , as you drest my last,
218when I and my friend were here about eight or ten days ago?
219but you must do me one courtesie, it must be done instantly.

220Host.     I will do it, Mr. Piscator , and with all the speed I can.

221Pisc.     Now Sir, has not my Hostess made hast? and does not
222the fish look lovely?

223Ven.     Both, upon my word, Sir, and therefore let's say grace
224and fall to eating of it.

225Pisc.     Well Sir, how do you like it?

226Ven.     Trust me, 'tis as good meat as I ever tasted: now let me
227thank you for it, drink to you, and beg a courtesie of you; but it
228must not be deny'd me.

229Pisc.     What is it I pray Sir? you are so modest, that methinks
230I may promise to grant it before it is asked.

231Ven.     Why Sir, it is, that from henceforth you would allow
232me to call you Master , and that really I may be your Scholar.
233for you are such a companion, and have so quickly caught, and

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234so excellently cook'd this fish, as makes me ambitious to be
235your Scholar.

236Pisc.     Give me your hand; from this time forward I will be
237your Master, and teach you as much of this Art as I am able;
238and will, as you desire me, tell you somewhat of the nature of
239most of the Fish that we are to angle for; and I am sure I both
240can and will tell you more than any common Angler yet knows.

246Pisc.     The Carp is the Queen of Rivers: a stately, a good, and
247a very subtil fish, that was not at first bred, nor hath been long
248in England , but is now naturalized. It is said, they were brought
249hither by one Mr. Mascal a Gentleman, that then lived at
250Plumsted in Sussex , a County that abounds more with this fish
251than any in this Nation.
252    You may remember that I told you, Gesner says, there are no
253Pikes in Spain ; and doubtless, there was a time, about a
254hundred or a few more years ago, when there were no Carps in
255England , as may seem to be affirmed by S. Richard Baker , in
256whose Chronicle you may find these Verses.
257
258    Hops and Turkies, Carps and Beer
259Came into England all in a year.
260
261    And doubtless as of Sea-fish the Herring dies soonest out of
262the water, and of fresh-water-fish the Trout , so (except the Eel )
263the Carp endures most hardness, and lives longest out of his own
264proper Element. And therefore the report of the Carps being
265brought out of a forraigne Country into this Nation is the more
266probable.
267    Carps and Loaches are observed to Breed several months in

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268one year, which Pikes and most other fish do not. And this is
269partly proved by tame and wild Rabbets , as also by some Ducks ,
270which will lay eggs nine of the twelve months, and yet there be
271other Ducks that lay no longer than about one month. And it is
272the rather to be believed, because you shall scarce or never
273take a Male-Carp without a Melt , or a Female without a Roe or
274spawn , and for the most part very much; and especially all the
275Summer season; and it is observed, that they breed more
276naturally in ponds than in running waters, (if they breed there
277at all); and those that live in Rivers are taken by men of
278the best palats to be much the better meat.
279    And it is observed, that in some ponds Carps will not breed,
280especially in cold ponds; but where they will breed, they breed
281innumerably; Aristotle and Pliny say, six times in a year, if there
282be no Pikes nor Pearch to devour their Spawn, when it is cast
283upon grass, or flags or weeds, where it lies ten or twelve dayes
284before it be enlivened.
285    The Carp , if he have water-room and good feed, will grow to
286a very great bigness and length: I have heard, to be much
287above a yard long. 'Tis said, (by Jovius , who hath writ of
288Fishes) that in the lake Lurian in Italy, Carps have thriven to
289be more than fifty pound weight, which is the more probable,
290for as the Bear is conceiv'd and born suddenly; and being born
291is but short-liv'd: So on the contrary, the Elephant is said to be
292two years in his dams belly (some think he is ten years in it) and
293being born grows in bigness twenty years; and 'tis observ'd
294too that he lives to the Age of a hundred years. And 'tis also
295observ'd that the Crocodile is very long-liv'd, and more than
296that, that all that long life he thrives in bigness, and so I think
297some Carps do, especially in some places; though I never saw
298one above 23. inches, which was a great and goodly Fish: But
299have been assured there are of a far greater size, and in England
300too.
301    Now, as the increase of Carps is wonderful for their number;
302so there is not a reason found out, I think by any, why they
303should breed in some Ponds, and not in others of the same

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304nature, for soil and all other circumstances: and as their
305breeding, so are their decays also very mysterious: I have both
306read it, and been told by a Gentleman of tryed honesty, that he
307has known sixty or more large Carps put into several ponds
308near to a house, where by reason of the stakes in the ponds, and
309the Owners constant being near to them, it was impossible they
310should be stole away from him: and that when he has after
311three or four years emptyed the pond, and expected an
312increase from them by breeding young ones (for that they
313might do so, he had, as the rule is, put in three Melters for one
314Spawner) he has, I say, after three or four years, found neither
315a young nor old Carp remaining. And the like I have known of
316one that has almost watched the pond, and at a like distance of
317time, at the fishing of a pond, found of seventy or eighty large
318Carps not above five or six: and that he had forborn longer to
319fish the said pond, but he saw in a hot day in Summer, a
320large Carp swim near the top of the water with a Frog upon his
321head, and that he upon that occasion caused his pond to be let
322dry: and I say, of seventy or eighty Carps , only found five or six
323in the said pond, and those very sick and lean, and with every
324one a Frog sticking so fast on the head of the said Carps , that
325the Frog would not be got off without extreme force or killing:
326and the Gentleman that did affirm this to me, told me he saw
327it, and did declare his belief to be, (and also I believe the same)
328that he thought the other Carps that were so strangely lost, were
329so killed by frogs, and then devoured.
330    And a person of honour now living in Worcestershire assur'd
331me he had seen a necklace or collar of Tadpoles hang like a
332chaine or necklace of beads about a Pikes neck, and to kill him;
333whether it were for meat or malice, must be to me a question.
334    But I am faln into this Discourse by accident, of which I
335might say more, but it has proved longer than I intended, and
336possibly may not to you be considerable; I shall therefore give
337you three or four more short observations of the Carp , and then
338fall upon some directions how you shall fish for him.
339    The age of Carps is by Sir Francis Bacon (in his History of Life

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340and Death) observed to be but ten years; yet others think they
341live longer. Gesner saies a Carp has been known to live in the
342Palatinate above a hundred years: But most conclude, that
343(contrary to the Pike or Luce ) all Carps are the better for age and
344bigness; the Tongues of Carps are noted to be choice and costly
345meat, especially to them that buy them: but Gesner saies, Carps
346have no tongue like other Fish, but a piece of flesh-like-Fish in
347their mouth like to a tongue, and should be called a palate: But
348it is certain it is choicely good, and that the Carp is to be
349reckoned amongst those leather-mouthed fish, which I told
350you have their teeth in their throat, and for that reason he is
351very seldom lost by breaking his hold, if your hook be once
352stuck into his chaps.
353    I told you that Sir Francis Bacon thinks that the Carp lives but
354ten years, but Janus Dubravius has writ a Book of Fish and Fishponds,
355in which he saies, That Carps begin to Spawn at the age
356of three years, and continue to do so till thirty: he says also,
357That in the time of their breeding, which is in Summer, when
358the Sun hath warmed both the earth and water, and so apted
359them also for generation; that then three or four Male- Carps
360will follow a Female; and that then she putting on a seeming
361coyness, they force her through weeds and flags, where she lets
362fall her Eggs or Spawn, which sticks fast to the weeds; and then
363they let fall their Melt upon it, and so it becomes in a short
364time to be a living Fish; and as I told you, it is thought the
365Carp does this several months in the year, and most believe that
366most fish breed after this manner, except the Eel: and it has
367been observed, that when the Spawner has weakned her self by
368doing that natural office, that two or three Melters have helped
369her from off the weeds, by bearing her up on both sides, and
370guarding her into the deep. And you may note, that though
371this may seem a curiosity not worth observing, yet others have
372judged it worth their time and costs, to make Glass-hives , and
373order them in such a manner as to see how Bees have bred and

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374made their Honey-combs , and how they have obeyed their King,
375and governed their Common-wealth. But it is thought that all
376Carps are not bred by generation, but that some breed other
377ways, as some Pikes do.
378    The Physicians make the galls and stones in the heads of
379Carps to be very medicinable; but 'tis not to be doubted but
380that in Italy they make great profit of the Spawn of Carps , by
381selling it to the Jews , who make it into red Caviare , the Jews
382not being by their Law admitted to eat of Caviare made of the
383Sturgeon , that being a Fish that wants scales, and (as may
384appear in Levit. 11.) by them reputed to be unclean.
385    Much more might be said out of him, and out of Aristotle ,
386which Dubravius often quotes in his Discourse of Fishes; but it
387might rather perplex than satisfie you, and therefore I shall
388rather chuse to direct you how to catch, than spend more time
389in discoursing either of the nature or the breeding of this
390Carp ,
391
392FIGURE OMITTED
393
394or of any more circumstances concerning him; but yet I shall
395remember you of what I told you before, that he is a very subtil
396Fish, and hard to be caught.
397    And my first direction is, that if you will Fish for a Carp , you
398must put on a very large measure of patience ; especially to fish
399for a River Carp : I have known a very good Fisher angle
400diligently four or six hours in a day, for three or four daies
401together for a River Carp , and not have a bite: and you are to
402note, that in some ponds it is as hard to catch a Carp as in a
403River; that is to say, where they have store of feed, and the

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404water is of clayish colour: But you are to remember, that I
405have told you there is no rule without an exception, and
406therefore being possest with that hope and patience which I
407wish to all Fishers, especially to the Carp-Angler , I shall tell you
408with what bait to fish for him. But first you are to know, that it
409must be either early or late; and let me tell you, that in hot
410weather (for he will seldom bite in cold) you cannot be too
411early or too late at it. And some have been so curious as to say,
412the 10. of April is a fatal day for Carps.
413    The Carp bites either at worms or at paste; and of worms I
414think the blewish Marsh or Meadow worm is best; but possibly
415another worm not too big may do as well, and so may a green
416Gentle: And as for pastes, there are almost as many sorts as
417there are Medicines for the Toothach, but doubtless sweet
418pastes are best; I mean, pastes made with honey or with sugar:
419which, that you may the better beguile this crafty Fish, should
420be thrown into the Pond or place in which you fish for him
421some hours or longer before you undertake your tryal of skill
422with the Angle-rod: and doubtless if it be thrown into the
423water a day or two before, at several times and in small pellets,
424you are the likelier when you fish for the Carp to obtain your
425desired sport; or in a large Pond to draw them to any certain
426place, that they may the better and with more hope be fished
427for, you are to throw into it in some certain place, either Grains
428or Blood mixt with Cow dung, or with Bran; or any Garbage,
429as Chickens guts or the like, and then some of your small sweet
430pellets with which you purpose to angle: and these small
431pellets being a few of them also thrown in as you are Angling
432will be the better.
433    And your paste must be thus made: Take the flesh of a
434Rabbet or Cat cut small, and Bean-flowre, and if that may not
435be easily got, get other flowre, and then mix these together,
436and put to them either Sugar, or Honey, which I think better,
437and then beat these together in a Mortar, or sometimes work
438them in your hands, (your hands being very clean) and then

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439make it into a Ball, or two, or three, as you like best for your
440use; but you must work or pound it so long in the Mortar, as to
441make it so tough as to hang upon your hook without washing
442from it, yet not too hard; or that you may the better keep it on
443your hook, you may knead with your paste a little (and not
444much) white or yellowish wool.
445    And if you would have this paste keep all the year for any
446other Fish, then mix it with Virgin wax and clarified honey , and
447work them together with your hands before the Fire, then
448make these into balls, and they will keep all the year.
449    And if you fish for a Carp with Gentles, then put upon your
450hook a small piece of Scarlet about this bigness FIGURE OMITTED , it being
451soked in, or anointed with Oyl of Peter , called by some Oyl of the
452Rock ; and if your Gentles be put two or three dayes before into
453a box or horn anointed with honey, and so put upon your hook
454as to preserve them to be living, you are as like to kill this crafty
455fish this way as any other. But still as you are fishing chaw a
456little white or brown bread in your mouth, and cast it into the
457pond about the place where your Flote swims. Other baits
458there be, but these with diligence, and patient watchfulness,
459will do it better than any that I have ever practised, or heard of:
460And yet I shall tell you, that the crumbs of white bread and
461honey made into a paste is a good bait for a Carp , and you know
462it is more easily made. And having said thus much of the Carp ,
463my next discourse shall be of the Bream , which shall not prove
464so tedious, and therefore I desire the continuance of your
465attention.
466    But first I will tell you how to make this Carp that is so
467curious to be caught, so curious a dish of meat, as shall make
468him worth all your labour and patience; and though it is not
469without some trouble and charges, yet it will recompence both.
470    Take a Carp (alive if possible) scour him, and rub him clean with
471water and salt, but scale him not, then open him, and put him with his
472bloud and his liver (which you must save when you open him) into a
473small pot or kettle; then take sweet Marjoram, Time and Parsley, of
474each half a handful, a sprig of Rosemary, and another of Savoury, bind
475them into two or three small bundles, and put them to your Carp, with

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476four or five whole Onyons, twenty pickled Oysters, and three Anchovies.
477Then pour upon your Carp as much Claret wine as will only cover him;
478and season your Claret well with salt, Cloves and Mace, and the rinds of
479Oranges and Lemons, that done, cover your pot and set it on a quick-fire,
480till it be sufficiently boiled; then take out the Carp and lay it with the
481broth into the dish, and pour upon it a quarter of a pound of the best fresh
482butter melted and beaten, with half a dozen spoonfuls of the broth, the
483yolks of two or three eggs, and some of the herbs shred; garnish your dish
484with Lemons and so serve it up, and much good do you.