THE CARP. 93 



(lay : the Angler should bear in mind, that Carp very 

 cautiously and slowly suck in the baited hook in still 

 waters ; but when they have so done, and feel the 

 hook, they generally rush with extraordinary velocity 

 to the middle of the pond or water ; the consequence 

 is, if any thing prevents the line running free, the rod 

 and all is drawn into the water 5 and if it is a large 

 piece, the whole is soon out of the Angler's reach. If 

 you use a line without running tackle, it is quite ne- 

 cessary for you to fasten the rod to something by a 

 slip knot ; for if you lay it down, and a heavy Carp 

 hooks himself, in an instant the rod and all is in the 

 water ; and if you are fortunate enough to regain 

 your tackle, the Carp are so disturbed, that there is 

 no chance of getting another bite in that place for 

 twelve hours to come. 



Sometimes, in very hot weather, you will hear Carp 

 sucking among beds of broad-leaved weeds in ponds 

 and moats ; they are then to be taken by a dipping bait 

 with a red worm or paste : use a line without a float j 

 put one or two shot a few inches above your baited 

 hook 5 then, with extreme gentleness, drop your bait 

 betw een those weeds, and let it hang quietly, about an 

 inch in the water ; for when you hear Carp sucking, 

 they then are close to the surface of the water, and 

 part of their bodies are sometimes above it, but 

 covered by those broad leaves and weeds 5 if they do 

 not see you, and you manage your tackle adroitly, 

 when so placing your baited hook. Carp will often 

 suck it in, and gorge it, which is soon known to the 



