Cartoons and descriptions of the hazards of fishing.
"Wading half an inch deeper than the tops of your boots , and finding afterwards that you must carry about with you four or five quarts [of water] in each , or must sit down on the wet grass whilst your attendant pulls them off , in order that you may empty them , and try to pull them on again."
After trying in vain to reach a trout which is rising on the opposite side of the river— at last walking on; and before you have gone 100 yards , looking back , and seeing a more skilful friend catch him at the first throw.—Weight 3 lbs. 2 oz.
Arriving just before sun-set at a shallow , where the fish are rising beautifully , and finding that they are all about to be immediately driven away by five-and-twenty cows , which are preparing to walk very leisurely across the river in open files.
Also , when you are
using two flies , you may sometimes catch a fish with one of them , and a weed growing in the river with the other. When such a liaison is once formed , you will find it difficult , with all your attractions , to overcome the strong attachment of the fish to your worthless rival the weed.
When you see a large fish rising so greedily in the middle of a sharp stream , that you feel almost sure of his instantly taking your May-fly , I would advise you to make an accurate
survey of all obstructions in the immediate neighbourhood of your feet—of any ditch which may be close behind you—or of any narrow plank , amidst high rushes , which you may shortly have to walk over in a hurry. If you should hook the fish , a knowledge of these interesting localities will be very useful to you.
Penn , Richard. Maxims and hints for an angler , and Miseries of fishing...London: 1833
©2017 Patricia Bixler Reber
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