268 BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

 144._SEVEKAL OPIIVIOIV$4 UPON IBOn' TO CATCH CARP. 



Compiled by CHAS. W. SITIII.EY. 



In response to numerons reqnests for information as to the best way 

 to catch a few carp at a time, and without draining a pond, I have ex- 

 amined the principal English sporting books, and have extracted what 

 they have to say on this subject. The first item, however, is by an 

 American who understands fishing for carp. 



With line and hook.- — "When I fish for carp I have a fifty-foot 

 line done up on a reel with six or seven small hooks on the line, and 

 without any pole. I bait the hooks with stale light bread, which floats 

 on the surface of the water, and the carp come to the top to suck it 

 down. As soon as they feel the hook thej' start to run and I reel up 

 the line and play with them until 1 worrj'them ont and land them with- 

 out further trouble. After catching one in this way they become very 

 wild and timid, and it is a long time before I can get them to show 

 themselves again. I caught only one with an angle-worm." — Oscak 

 Keid. 



Saint Louis, Mo., August 21, 1883. 



Baits. — "Carp are esteemed among the richest fresh-water fish we 

 have in the kingdom, and are as cunning as foxes. The angler, there- 

 fore, must be 'wide-awake' to catch him, and also as patient as a saint. 

 He may, however, fish for him at any time in the day dnring warm 

 weather. The bait may be either worms or paste. Of worms the blu- 

 ish marsh or meadow is the best, but a red worm, not too big, will do, 

 or a large gentle; of paste, the best is made of bread and honey, and 

 the spot intended should be well baited beforehand. In a large pond, 

 to draw them together, throw in either grains, or blood mixed with 

 cow-dung, or bran, or any kind of garbage; follow this with some of the 

 small baits you intend to angle with. If you fish for carj) with gentles, 

 jiut on your hook a small piece of scarlet cloth, about the bigness of a 

 pea, soaked with oil of peter (by some called oil of the rock), and keep 

 your gentles for two or three days in a box smeared with honey ; and 

 while you are fishing, chew a little bread and throw it in about the 

 place where your float swims. In this way, with due patience, you 

 will prove a match for these crafty fish." — [From Eoutledge's Hand- 

 book of Fishing, London, p, 39.] 



Baits. — " Carp are very uncertain. After a shower on a warm, damp 

 evening, is the best time for fishing. A boile<l green pea is a capital 

 bait ; also ground-bait with boiled potatoes, and bait with half-boiled 

 pieces. You should ground-bait overnight. Anything will do for 

 ground-bait, chickens' guts, blood, cow-dung, mixed grains, and greaves, 

 mixed with claj'. As baits, use paste of all kinds, especially sweet 

 paste, gentles, and red worms. 



