THE BLEAK OR HLEY. 37 



them. They spawn in April. Minnows do not feed 

 in the night, fearing to stir at that season, as their 

 great enemies, the Trout and Perch, are in search of 

 them in preference to any other food : neither does the 

 Minnow love cold boisterous weather : at such time 

 it is losing time to angle for them. They are said to 

 eat well, if fried, when made into cakes with crumbs of 

 bread and eggs. 



The Bleak or Bley. 



Bleak are found in the rivers Thames, and Lea, and 

 the New River, in immense numbers. They are a hand- 

 some Fish, but do not grow to a large size, seldom ex- 

 ceeding two ounces in weight. They are a lively spor- 

 tive Fish, and easily taken with a small fly at the top 

 of the water, by whipping or dapping, and Avith paste 

 or gentles, at mid-water, or at the bottom. Angle for 

 tliem with a light rod, single hair line, and small quill 

 float. They will bite all day from March till Winter, 

 affording the young Angler sport and practice, and may 

 be caught in all parts of the New River, from Sadler's 

 Wells to Ware. A handful of road dust, or small gra- 

 vel, a few gentles, crumbs of bread, or chewed bread 

 thrown in the water, where the stream does not run 

 too quick, now and then for ground bait, will bring the 

 Bleak about your bait ; strike immediately you see a 

 bite. 



Remarks on Bleak. 



The Bleak is of the Carp species, and, in shape, a 

 handsome formed Fish, with a bright green back and 

 brilliant silvery scales on the sides, and has a fine large 



£ 



