FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



We have now among us three species of carp, — 

 the scaled, the king or mirror, and the leather 

 carp. The first may be distinguished by the rela- 

 tively small scales which cover the body from the 

 gill-covers to base of tail ; the second by the very 

 large scales that run along the sides, the rest of 

 the body being bare ; and the so-called leather 

 species have on the back only a few somewhat 

 large scales, or none at all, the skin being very 

 soft and velvety to the touch. There are many 

 different varieties of these typical carps, of which 

 the goldfish is an inferior grade. 



Although the carps are not sought or even wel- 

 comed to the hook, by many American anglers, 

 there are a few enthusiastic rodsters, native and 

 naturalized, who want to lure every fin that inhab- 

 its the lakes or streams, and it may not be amiss 

 to give the best methods of fishing for carp, — 

 those which are followed by English rodsters. 



Early in the morning, and occasionally late in 

 the evening, are the best times for fishing. The 

 smaller the pond, the better the chance of catch- 

 ing carp, though the fish do not run so large as in 

 greater waters. The line should be entirely of 

 medium-sized or fine, stained round gut ; a very 

 light quill float, and one good-sized shot put about 

 six inches from the hook, which should be num- 

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