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CONCISE TREATISE

ON THE

ART OF ANGLING,

CONFIRMED BY

ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, AND MINUTE OBSERVATIONS;

WITH THE PROPER METHODS

For Breeding and Feeding Fish, and of making Fish-ponds,
Stews, &c. with feveral Arcana, never before made Public.

tovci S ADDED''

THE COMPLETE FLY-FISHER;
THE GAME-LAWS, RELATIVE TO ANGLING;

Prognoftics of the Weather, independent of the Barometer.

BY THOMAS BEST.

As in fucceffive courfe the feafons roll,
So circling pleasures recreate the foul:
When genial fpring a living warmth bestows,
And o'er the year her verdant mantle throws,
No fwelling inundation hides the grounds,
But cryftal currents glide within their bounds;
The finny brood their wonted haunts forfake,
Float in the fun, and skim along the lake;
With frequent leap they range the fhallow ftreams,
Their filver coats reflect the dazzling beams.
Now let the Fisherman his toils prepare,

And arm himself with ev'ry wat'ry fnare;

His hooks, his lines perufe, with careful eye,
Increase his tackle, and his rod re-tie.

GAY.

The Third Edition, corrected and improved.

LONDON:

Printed for B. CROSBY, No. 4, Stationers' Court, Ludgate Street,

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 92090

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. 1898.

ICHTHYOLOGY, or a defcription of fifhes, and the various Methods for taking them by the art of angling, has been treated on by many excellent authors, and in a very scientific manner: but, in general, their works abound with fo much prolixity and tautology, that although they may benefit the young angler, yet they burthen his memory, and lead him into an inextricable labyrinth. In the following Treatise, which is founded on actual experience, and with compilations from the best authors who have written on that fubject, I have carefully avoided making any unneceffary repetitions,

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