to THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



are gregarious, and what Anglers term, a leather- 

 mouthed Fish. Barbel only breed and thrive in large 

 tide-rivers. In the Thames and part of the river Lea 

 there are many, very fine and large : I knew of one 

 taken at Shepperton, weighing nineteen pounds ten 

 ounces j they are a very handsome Fish, but their flesh 

 is coarse, and therefore considered but of little value 

 for the table ; yet I am told, by several persons, that 

 they eat very well, especially when baked, with veal 

 stuffing in their belly, as do the smaller ones split and 

 fried in batter, or with slices of pickled pork or bacon ; 

 but the spawn of Barbel is not fit for food, as it gene- 

 rally acts as a strong cathartic, and frequently as an 

 emetic. The Barbel is prized for being a game Fish, 

 affording excellent sport to the Angler, mixed with 

 some labour and much anxiety : for when of a large 

 size, they are exceedingly crafty, sulky, and strong, 

 struggling a long time after they are hooked, often 

 lying motionless at the bottom for some minutes, then 

 running under banks, or shelves, into large beds of 

 weeds, in fact, trying every possible way to get off the 

 hook, or break your line, which they certainly will 

 effect if you are deficient in skill, or your tackle is in 

 any respect faulty. 



The proper Tackle and Baits described. 



Barbel are usually angled for on the river Thames in 

 boats, called punts, with a stout rod, a winch and running 

 tackle, gut line, cork float, and No. 7 or 8 hook j likewise 

 with the ledger line, which is fitted in the following 



