152 THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



From its peculiar smell, which greatly resembles 

 that of a cucmnber, this delicate Fish takes its name 

 in this country, but in Germany it is known by the 

 name of the Stink-Jisck. They spawn the latter end 

 of March, and immediately afterwards they go down' 

 the river towards the sea. They are generally about 

 seven inches long, but will grow to the weight of 

 nearly half a pound. In salt water, I have caught 

 Smelts, by angling in Portsmouth harbour, and in 

 various salt water docks, by the same method as used 

 in the Thames. 



Dead Lines. 



A great many Eels, Flounders, &c., are taken with 

 dead lines, between Blackwall and Old Ford, in the 

 several creeks round Bromley, West-Ham, Abbey- 

 Mills, and Stratford, where the tide flows from the 

 river Thames. The dead line is made of whipcord, 

 generally about six yards in length, to which are affix- 

 ed five or six hooks, which should be tied on pieces 

 of bristle, twisted hair, or gut, not more than four 

 inches long, with a loop at the end. The hook gene- 

 rally chosen for this purpose is a No. 8 ; but in fishing 

 for Flounders in brackish waters, where they generally 

 run large, you may use a hook of the size of No. 6 or 

 7. Loop the hooks on the line (beginning at the bot- 

 tom) about afoot and a half apart j close to every hook 

 put a large shot, or piece of lead, to keep the bait on 

 the ground, as every hook must lie at the bottom, for 

 which purpose you should throw sufficient length of 



