GENERAL RULES and CAUTIONS. I. W HEN you have hooked a fish, never fuffer him to run out with the line; but keep your rod bent, and as near perpendicular as you can, by this method the top plies to every pull he makes, and you prevent the ftraining of your line. For the fame reason, II. Never raise a large fish out. of the water by taking the hair to which the book is fastened, or indeed any part of the line into your hand; but either put a landing net under him, or for want of that your hat: you may indeed in fy fhing, lay hold of your line so draw a fish to you, but this must be done with caution. 0 III. Your fi'k, for whipping hooks and other fine work, must be very small; use it double, and wax it (and indeed every other fort of binding) with shoe. maker's wax; if your wax is too fiff, temper it with tallow. IV. Inclofe the knots and joints of your line in a little pill of wax, preffed very close, and the fuperfluities pinched off; this will foon harden, and prevent the knots from drawing. V. If for ftrong fishing you ufe the grafs, which, when you can get it fine, is to be preferred to gut, remember to soak it always an hour in water before you use it this will make it tough and prevent its kinking. 82 VI. VI. Whenever you begin to fish, wet the ends of the VII. If you happen with rain or otherwise to wet VIII. Before you fix the loop of bristle to your IX. Make flies in warm weather only; for in X. In rainy weather, or when the feafon for fifh- XI. Never regard what bunglers and flovens tell XII. Never fifhio any water that is not commen Laftly. Remember that the wit and invention of : CONTENTS: |