BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATKS FISH COMMISSION. 269 



"A very goorl way of killing carp is to let the bait siuk between the 

 leaves of the water-plants, and gently draw it up and down till you 

 feel a slight nibble, when the line must be loosed until the fish runs 

 away with it. A paste made of common flour and anchovy sauce, with 

 a little water mixed with it to prevent sticking, has been found good. 



The old-boat method. — "Carp may also be thus taken: Take an 

 old boat, and fill it with brush-wood or other loose stuff, taking care to 

 keep it down with large stones. Tie two ropes to the ends of the boat 

 so as to be able to dvaw it up again when wanted, and then sink it, 

 leaving it there for a month or two, so that the carp may have time to 

 get accustomed to it, when they will take up their abode in the boat. 

 After you have left it in a sufficient time draw it out again by the 

 ropes tied to it for the purpose, and you will find the fish in their hid- 

 ing places in the brushwood. It is best to put some food in the boat 

 before you lower it." — [From " Facts and useful hints relating to fishing 

 and shooting," by I. E. B. 0., London, 1874, page 26.J 



ExPEEiENCE. — "Late iu July, 1858, on a hot summer's afternoon, I 

 was barbtl-fishing iu the eddy off Ham Point, Wey bridge, the water be- 

 ing quite 20 feet deep and as clear as glass. I did not so much as touch 

 a barbel, but took with my single rod three magnificent carp, weighing 

 respectively 8, 5, and 4 pounds; ten eels, nine large perch, and one 

 bream ; the carp gave quite as much play as trout. These were all taken 

 with the lob-worm, using chopped worms for ground-bait. 



Bait and rods. — "As a general rule, the red worm will be found the 

 most killing bait, but they will at times prefer a well-scoured marsh- 

 worm or lob. The majority of roach-baits also are used for carp. Use 

 a light stiff rod with fine running tackle and a light float, ascertaining 

 the depth, if possible, the day before, when ground-baiting, as recom- 

 mended in the preceding chapter, so as to keep out of sight when you 

 commence fishing, and disturb the water as little as you can. Throw 

 in a few chopped worms occasionally while angling, fish on the bottom, 

 and if in a stream strike immediately there is a bite ; but if in still 

 water, or a pond, wait a second or two, till the float goes steadily under, 

 and then strike gentlj', as carp do not take the bait so quickly iu dead 

 water as in a stream, where, unless it is taken directly, it is carried 

 away by the current and is gone. 



Playing. — "When you have hooked a good fish use him gently and 

 patiently, giving him line, winding in and letting out, till he is ex- 

 hausted. He is an exceedingly strong and artful fish, and will try every 

 possible means to get luand a post or stump, or into the weeds, so as 

 to break the line. 



Keep quiet. — "The grand secret in carp-fishing is to keep quiet and 

 fish fine. Some anglers expatiate on the great merits of boiled green 

 peas and ])ieces of cherries as very taking baits. One writer advises 

 a worm and gentle to be used on the hook at the same time, so as to 

 offer the cari^ a choice of baits 5 probably, had he suggested that a green 



