38 THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



eye, altogether much like a fresh-caught Sprat : they 

 spawn about the middle of March, but sooner recover 

 themselves than any other Fish. The Bleak is not 

 much prized at table, from their small size, and tasting 

 somewhat bitter, which happens, however, only in the 

 Summer months. In Spring, and the Autumn, many 

 persons who like small Fish fried, think the Bleak well 

 tasted, and prefer them to Roach or Dace. In Sum- 

 mer, Bleak are sometimes much distressed by an in- 

 sect called a hair worm 5 they then swim on the sur- 

 face of the water, being unable to descend ; and when 

 in such condition, they are called, by fishermen. Mad 

 Bleak. 



A single gentle, put on a No. 12 or 13 hook, hair 

 line, and very small float, and angling about a foot be- 

 low the surface of the water, is the best way for kill- 

 ing numerous small Bleak : when you use a fly, let it 

 be a live house-fly, which is more killing than artifi- 

 cial flies : if artificial, a black gnat fly. — Note, where 

 Bleak are large, use a No. 11 hook, and fish at the 

 depth of two feet. 



Prussian or Crucian Carp. 



This Fish is not very common in England. By some 

 persons it is supposed to be across breed, between the 

 Carp and Roach, as it favours both in appearance, the 

 scales being like Roach, and the head resembling the 

 Carp J it is a poor bony Fish, the flesh soft and insi- 

 pid: they seldom exceed a pound weight. They are 

 very prolific, for which reason they are useful in ponds. 



