第 30 节
作者:吻火      更新:2022-08-26 22:13      字数:9322
  or him; you shall bait the places where you intend to fish for him; with big worms cut into pieces。 And note; that none did ever over…bait the place; nor fish too early or too late for a Barbel。 And the Barbel will bite also at generals; which; not being too much scoured; but green; are a choice bait for him: and so is cheese; which is not to be too hard; but kept a day or two in a wet linen cloth; to make it tough; with this you may also bait the water a day or two before you fish for the Barbel; and be much the likelier to catch store; and if the cheese were laid in clarified honey a short time before; as namely; an hour or two; you were still the likelier to catch fish。 Some have directed to cut the cheese into thin pieces; and toast it; and then tie it on the hook with fine silk。 And some advise to fish for the Barbel with sheep's tallow and soft cheese; beaten or worked into a paste; and that it is choicely good in August: and I believe it。 Rut; doubtless; the lob… worm well scoured; and the gentle not too much scoured; and cheese ordered as I have directed; are baits enough; and I think will serve in any month: though I shall commend any angler that tries conclusions; and is industrious to improve the art And now my honest scholar; the long shower and my tedious discourse are both ended together: and I shall give you but this observation; that when you fish for a Barbel; your rod and line be both long and of good strength; for; as I told you; you will find him a heavy and a dogged fish to be dealt withal; yet he seldom or never breaks his hold; if he be once strucken。 And if you would know more of fishing for the Umber or Barbel; get into favour with Dr。 Sheldon; whose skill is above others; and of that; the poor that dwell about him have a comfortable experience。
  And now let's go and see what interest the Trouts will pay us; for letting our angle…rods lie so long and so quietly in the water for their use。 Come; scholar; which will you take up ?
  Venator。 Which you think fit; master。
  Piscator。 Why; you shall take up that; for I am certain; by viewing the line; it has a fish at it。 Look you; scholar! well done! Come; now take up the other too: well! now you may tell my brother Peter; at night; that you have caught a leash of Trouts this day。 And now let's move towards our lodging; and drink a draught of red…cow's milk as we go; and give pretty Maudlin and her honest mother a brace of Trouts for their supper。
  Venator。 Master; I like your motion very well: and I think it is now about milking…time; and yonder they be at it
  Piscator。 God speed you; good woman ! I thank you both for our songs last night: I and my companion have had such fortune a…fishing this day; that we resolve to give you and Maudlin a brace of Trouts for supper; and we will now taste a draught of your red…cow's milk。
  Milk…woman。 Marry; and that you shall with all my heart; and I will be still your debtor when you come this way。 If you will but speak the word; I will make you a good syllabub of new verjuice; and then you may sit down in a haycock; and eat it; and Maudlin shall sit by and sing you the good old song of the 〃 Hunting in Chevy Chace;  〃 or some other good ballad; for she hath store of them: Maudlin; my honest Maudlin; hath a notable memory; and she thinks nothing too good for you; because you be such honest men。
  Venator。 We thank you; and intend; once in a month to call upon you again; and give you a little warning; and so; good…night Good…night; Maudlin。 And now; good master; let's lose no time: but tell me somewhat more of fishing; and if you please; first; something of fishing for a Gudgeon。
  Piscator。 I will; honest scholar。
  The fourth day…continued
  Of the Gudgeon; the Ruffe; and the Bleak
  Chapter XV
  Piscator
  The GUDGEON is reputed a fish of excellent taste; and to be very wholesome。 He is of a fine shape; of a silver colour; and beautified with black spots both on his body and tail。 He breeds two or three times in the year; and always in summer。 He is commended for a fish of excellent nourishment。 The Germans call him Groundling; by reason of his feeding on the ground; and he there feasts himself; in sharp streams and on the gravel。 He and the Barbel both feed so: and do not hunt for flies at any time; as most other fishes do。 He is an excellent fish to enter a young angler; being easy to be taken with a small red worm; on or very near to the ground。 He is one of those leather…mouthed fish that has his teeth in his throat; and will hardly be lost off from the hook if he be once strucken。
  They be usually scattered up and down every river in the shallows; in the heat of summer: but in autumn; when the weeds begin to grow sour and rot; and the weather colder; then they gather together; and get into the deeper parts of the water; and are to be fished for there; with your hook always touching the ground; if you fish for him with a float or with a cork。 But many will fish for the Gudgeon by hand; with a running line upon the ground; without a cork; as a Trout is fished for: and it is an excellent way; if you have a gentle rod; and as gentle a hand。
  There is also another fish called a POPE; and by some a RUFFE; a fish that is not known to be in some rivers: he is much like the Perch for his shape; and taken to be better than the Perch; but will not grow to be bigger than a Gudgeon。 He is an excellent fish; no fish that swims is of a pleasanter taste。 And he is also excellent to enter a young angler; for he is a greedy biter: and they will usually lie; abundance of them together; in one reserved place; where the water is deep and runs quietly; and an easy angler; if he has found where they lie; may catch forty or fifty; or sometimes twice so many; at a standing。
  You must fish for him with a small red worm; and if you bait the ground with earth; it is excellent。
  There is also a BLEAK or fresh…water Sprat; a fish that is ever in motion; and therefore called by some the river…swallow; for just as you shall observe the swallow to be; most evenings in summer; ever in motion; making short and quick turns when he flies to catch flies; in the air; by which he lives; so does the Bleak at the top of the water。 Ausonius would have called him Bleak from his whitish colour: his back is of a pleasant sad or sea…water…green; his belly; white and shining as the mountain snow。 And doubtless; though we have the fortune; which virtue has in poor people; to be neglected; yet the Bleak ought to be much valued; though we want Allamot salt; and the skill that the Italians have; to turn them into anchovies。 This fish may be caught with a Pater…noster line; that is; six or eight very small hooks tied along the line; one half a foot above the other: I have seen five caught thus at one time; and the bait has been gentles; than which none is better。
  Or this fish may be caught with a fine small artificial fly; which is to be of a very sad brown colour; and very small; and the hook answerable。 There is no better sport than whipping for Bleaks in a boat; or on a bank; in the swift water; in a summer's evening; with a hazel top about five or six foot long; and a line twice the length of the rod。 I have heard Sir Henry Wotton say; that there be many that in Italy will catch swallows so; or especially martins; this bird…angler standing on the top of a steeple to do it; and with the line twice so long as I have spoken of。 And let me tell you; scholar; that both Martins and Bleaks be most excellent meat
  And let me tell you; that I have known a Heron; that did constantly frequent one place; caught with a hook baited with a big minnow or a small gudgeon。 The line and hook must be strong: and tied to some loose staff; so big as she cannot fly away with it: a line not exceeding two yards。
  The fourth day…continued
  Is of nothing; or of nothing worth
  Chapter XVI
  Piscator; Venator; Peter; Coridon
  Piscator。 My purpose was to give you some directions concerning ROACH and DACE; and some other inferior fish which make the angler excellent sport; for you know there is more pleasure in hunting the hare than in eating her: but I will forbear; at this time; to say any more; because you see yonder come our brother Peter and honest Coridon。 But I will promise you; that as you and I fish and walk to… morrow towards London; if I have now forgotten anything that I can then remember; I will not keep it from you。
  Well met; gentlemen; this is lucky that we meet so just together at this very door; Come; hostess; where are you ? is supper ready ? Come; first give us a drink; and be as quick as you can; for I believe we are all very hungry。 Well; brother Peter and Coridon; to you both! Come; drink: and then tell me what luck of fish: we two have caught but ten bouts; of which my scholar caught three。 Look! here's eight; and a brace we gave away。 We have had a most pleasant day for fishing and talking; and are returned home both weary and hungry; and now meat and rest will be pleasant。
  Peter。 And Coridon and I have not had an unpleasant day: and yet I have caught but five bouts; for; indeed; we went to a good honest ale… house; and there we played at shovel…board half the day; all the time that it rained we were there; and as merry