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    • Chapter XIX -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Compleat Angler," Chapter XIX, Piscator engages in a discourse on the rivers of England and the notable characteristics of each, as informed by Dr. Heylin's geography and other sources. He articulates a fascination with the nation’s three hundred and twenty-five rivers, particularly emphasizing those of significant renown. Piscator begins with the Thames, described as England’s most distinguished river, born from the confluence of the Thame and Isis. It is portrayed as a vein of life flowing…
    • Chapter XVIII -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XVIII of "The Compleat Angler," Piscator introduces Venator to some small, yet significant, freshwater fishes that, despite their size, offer great value for their taste and the role they play in the ecosystem. Among these are the Minnow, Loach, Miller's-Thumb (also known as Bull-Head), and the Sticklebag. These creatures, described with enthusiasm for their unique characteristics and culinary potentials, reflect the anglers' deep knowledge and appreciation of the natural world. The Minnow,…
    • Chapter XVII -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay And in this manner you may also fish with it as a fly, sometimes letting it sink towards the bottom, and drawing it towards the top, which I had showed you before: this, my honest scholar, is a deadly and a dainty bait. There is also a smaller yellow cadis, than this which I last mentioned, that breeds in the same rivers, but I think not so many: this cadis hath those little black legs which I told you some of the cadises have; and is a choice bait for a small-mouthed fish, being used as this last…
    • Chapter XVI -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter XVI of "The Compleat Angler" unfolds with a serene meeting among friends, Piscator, Venator, Peter, and Coridon, returning from their diverse day's endeavors. Piscator begins by expressing an intent to share angling knowledge, specifically about roach and dace, yet postpones it as Peter and Coridon join them. Gathering at the door of a lodging, their immediate concern turns towards satisfying their hunger and thirst, reflecting the human essentials of rest and fellowship after a day's pleasure of…
    • Chapter XV -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XV of "The Compleat Angler," Piscator shares his knowledge on fishing for Gudgeon, Ruffe (also known as Pope), and Bleak, focusing on their nature, dietary habits, and how to catch them. Gudgeons are depicted as fish with a fine silver color and black spots, praised for excellent taste and health benefits. They breed in summer and feed off the ground in sharp streams, making them a target for anglers using small red worms. Unlike other fish, Gudgeons and Barbel do not pursue flies but are ground…
    • Chapter XIV -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XIV of "The Compleat Angler," the discourse continues with Piscator (the Fisherman), Venator (the Hunter), and a Milk-woman engaging in a knowledgeable exchange on the topic of the Barbel. Piscator begins by describing the Barbel's distinctive features, particularly its barbels under its nose, contributing to its name and sturdy nature that rarely breaks free once hooked. Despite its impressive size and fight, the Barbel is not highly regarded for eating due to the poor taste and potential…
    • Chapter XIII -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay The Compleat Angler's Chapter XIII, shared by Piscator, dives into a comprehensive narrative on eels, their breeding, varieties, habits, and fishing techniques, intertwined with historical anecdotes and recipes. The discourse begins with a contemplation on the breeding mysteries of eels, highlighting differing theories from generation to spontaneous origins from mud or dew, reflecting a blend of scientific observation and ancient conjecture. Piscator notes the Romans' high regard for eels, equating them to…
    • Chapter XII -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XII of "The Compleat Angler," Piscator and Venator delve into the qualities and behaviors of the perch, a notable fish renowned for its bold biting and predatory nature similar to pike and trout. Perch are distinguished by their unique physical traits, including a back armed with sharp bristles and thick scales, and they exhibit aggressive tendencies, even towards their own kind, a behavior not common in pike. They are celebrated in various regions for their nutritional value, despite opinions…
    • Chapter XI -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Compleat Angler," Chapter XI continues with Piscator offering insights into the Tench, a fish highly esteemed not for its taste but for its medicinal benefits. He begins by characterizing the Tench as a fish that prefers still waters, such as ponds and pits over the currents of rivers, although there is a mention of a river in Dorsetshire known for its Tench population. The fish is described in detail, noting its large fins, smooth scales, a distinctive red circle around its gold-colored eyes, and…
    • Chapter X -The Compleat Angler Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter X of "The Compleat Angler," Piscator expounds on the habits and qualities of the Bream, a large and stately fish favored for pond dwelling, renowned for its growth to substantial size and fatness under favorable conditions. The chapter intricately describes the bream's physical characteristics, diet, and the astonishing phenomenon reported by Gesner where breams in a Polish pond disappeared under ice only to reappear the following spring, drawing a parallel to natural cycles of renewal. The…
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