And it is observed, that, to the end they may get far from the _Sea_, either to Spawne or to possess the pleasure that they then and there find, they will force themselves over the tops of _Weirs_, or _Hedges_, or _stops_ in the water, by taking their tails into their mouthes, and leaping over those places, even to a height beyond common belief: and sometimes by forcing themselves against the streame through Sluces and Floud-gates, beyond common credit. And 'tis observed by _Gesner_, that there is none bigger then in _England_, nor none better then in Thames.
And for the _Salmons_ sudden growth, it has been observed by tying a Ribon in the tail of some number of the young _Salmons_, which have been taken in _Weires_, as they swimm'd towards the salt water, and then by taking a part of them again with the same mark, at the same place, at their returne from the Sea, which is usually about six months after; and the like experiment hath been tried upon young _Swallows_, who have after six months absence, been observed to return to the same chimney, there to make their nests, and their habitations for the Summer following; which hath inclined many to think, that every _Salmon_ usually returns to the same River in which it was bred, as young _Pigeons_ taken out of the same Dove-cote, have also been observed to do.
And you are yet to observe further, that the He _Salmon_ is usually bigger then the Spawner, and that he is more kipper, & less able to endure a winter in the fresh water, then the She is; yet she is at that time of looking less kipper and better, as watry and as bad meat.
And yet you are to observe, that as there is no general rule without an exception, so there is some few Rivers in this Nation that have _Trouts_ and _Salmon_ in season in winter. But for the observations of that and many other things, I must in manners omit, because they wil prove too large for our narrow compass of time, and therefore I shall next fall upon my direction how to fish for the _Salmon_.
And for that, first, you shall observe, that usually he staies not long in a place (as _Trouts_ wil) but (as I said) covets still to go neerer the Spring head; and that he does not (as the _Trout_ and many other fish) lie neer the water side or bank, or roots of trees, but swims usually in the middle, and neer the ground; and that there you are to fish for him; and that he is to be caught as the _Trout_ is, with a _Worm_, a _Minnow_, (which some call a _Penke_) or with a _Fly_.