useful part of this discourse, that is to say, the observations of the nature of breeding, and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not so simple as not to know, that a captious reader1 may find exceptions against something said of some of these; and therefore I must entreat him to consider, that experiences teaches us to know that several countries alter the time, and I think almost the manner, of fishes breeding, but doubtless of their being in season; as may appear by three rivers in Monmouthshire, namely, Severn, Wye, and Usk, where Camden Brit. 633, observes, that in the river Wye, salmon are in season from September to April; and we are certain, that in the Thames and Trent, and in most other rivers, they be in season the six hotter months.

Now for the art of catching fish, that is to say, how to make a man that was none, to be an angler by a book; he that undertakes it, shall undertake a harder task than Mr. Hales,3 a most valiant and excellent fencer, who in a printed book called A Private School of Defence, undertook to teach that art or science, and was laughed at for his labor.* Not but many useful things might be learnt by that book, but he was laughed at because that art was not to be taught

1 Variation. He may.-First edition.

2

To know or rather note that several countries alter the time and manner of fishes breeding, and therefore if he bring not candor to the reading of this discourse, he shall both injure me and possibly himself too, by too many criticisms. -First edition. The passage to the end of the paragraph was added in the

second edition.

"Than Hales, that in his printed book undertook by it to teach the Art of Fencing. First edition. In the second, the title of the book is given, and Mr. prefixed to his name. In the third, "a most valiant and excellent fencer" is inserted.

Not but that something useful might be learned out of that book; but that art was not to be taught by words; nor is the art of angling.-First edition; the rest of the paragraph being omitted, which was added (slightly varied from the text) in the second.

by words, but practice; and so must angling. And note also, that in this discourse I do not undertake to say all that is known, or may be said of it, but I undertake to acquaint the reader with many things that are not usually known to every angler; and I shall leave gleanings and observations enough to be made out of the experience of all that love and practice this recreation, to which I shall encourage them. For angling may be said to be so like the mathematics, that it can never be fully learnt; at least not so fully, but that there will still be more new experiments left for the trial of other men that succeed us.

But I think all that love this game may here learn something that may be worth their money, if they be not poor and needy men; and in case they be, I then wish them to forbear to buy it; for I write not to get money, but for pleasure, and this discourse boasts of no more; for I hate to promise much, and1 deceive the reader.

And however it proves to him, yet I am sure I have

Variation. And fail.-First edition.

But pleasure I have found both in the search and conference about what is offered to thy view and censure; I wish thee as much in the perusal of it, and so might I here take my leave; but I will stay thee a little longer in telling thee, that whereas it is said by many, that in fly-fishing for a trout the angler must observe his twelve flies for every month, I say if he observe that, he should be as able to catch fish, as they that make hay by the fair dayes in almanacks, and be no surer; for doubtless three or four flies rightly made, do serve for a trout all summer; and for winter-flies, all anglers know, they are as useful as an almanack out of date. Of these (because no man is born an artist or an angler) I thought fit to give thee this notice. I might say more, but it is not fit for this place; but if this discourse which follows shall come to a second impression, which is possible, for slight books have been in this age observed to have that fortune, I shall then for thy sake be glad to correct what is faulty, or by a conference with any to explain or enlarge what is defective, but for this time I have neither a willing nor a leisure to say more than to wish you, &c. Farewell. Iz. WA.-First edition. The variations after the second edition are very slight.

Following the address to the Reader there was in this edition a table of contents, afterwards omitted for obvious reasons.

found a high content in the search and conference of what is here offered to the reader's view and censure; I wish him as much in the perusal of it, and so I might here take my leave, but will stay a little and tell him, that whereas it is said by many, that in fly-fishing for a trout, the angler must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve months of the year; I say, he that follows that rule shall be as sure to catch fish, and be as wise, as he that makes hay by the fair days in an almanac, and no surer; for those very flies that use to appear about and on the water in one month of the year, may the following year come almost a month sooner or later, as the same year proves colder or hotter; and yet in the following discourse I have set down the twelve flies that are in reputation with many anglers, and they may serve to give him some observations concerning them. And he may note, that there are in Wales and other countries peculiar flies, proper to the particular place or country; and doubtless, unless a man makes a fly to counterfeit that very fly in that place, he is like to lose his labor, or much of it but for the generality, three or four flies neat and rightly made, and not too big, serve for a trout in most rivers all the summer: and for winter fly-fishing, it is as useful as an almanac out of date. And of these, because as no man is born an artist, so no man is born an angler, I thought fit to give thee this notice.

When I have told the reader, that in this fifth impression there are many enlargements, gathered both by my own. observation, and the communication with friends, I shall stay him no longer than to wish him a rainy evening to read this following discourse; and that, if he be an honest angler, the east wind may never blow when he goes a fishing.

I. W.

TO MY DEAR BROTHER,

MR. IZAAK WALTON,

UPON HIS

COMPLETE ANGLER.

ERASMUS in his learned Colloquies
Has mixt some toys, that by varieties

He might entice all readers: for in him
Each child may wade, or tallest giant swim.
And such is this discourse: there's none so low,
Or highly learn'd, to whom hence may not flow
Pleasure and information: both which are
Taught us with so much art, that I might swear
Safely, the choicest critick cannot tell,
Whether your matchless judgment most excell
In angling or its praise: where commendation
First charms, then makes an art a recreation.

'Twas so to me; who saw the chearful spring Pictur'd in every meadow, heard birds sing Sonnets in every grove, saw fishes play

In the cool crystal streams, like lambs in May.
And they may play, till anglers read this book;
But after, 'tis a wise fish 'scapes a hook.

Jo. FLOUD, Mr. of Arts.

TO THE

READER OF THE

COMPLETE ANGLER.

FIRST mark the title well; my friend that gave it
Has made it good; this book deserves to have it.
For he that views it with judicious looks,
Shall find it full of art, baits, lines, and hooks.
The world the river is, both you and I,
And all mankind are either fish or fry :

If we pretend to reason, first or last

His baits will tempt us, and his hooks hold fast.
Pleasure or profit, either prose or rhime,
If not at first, will doubtless take's in time.
Here sits in secret blest theology,
Waited upon by grave philosophy
Both natural and moral, history

Deck'd and adorn'd with flowers of poetry,
The matter and expression striving which
Shall most excel in worth, yet not seem rich;
There is no danger in his baits, that hook
Will prove the safest, that is surest took.

Nor are we caught alone, but, which is best, We shall be wholsome, and be toothsome drest, Drest to be fed, not to be fed upon;

And danger of a surfeit here is none.
The solid food of serious contemplation

Is sauc'd here with such harmless recreation,
That an ingenuous and religious mind
Cannot inquire for more than it may find
Ready at once prepared, either t' excite
Or satisfy a curious appetite.