256 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER, 
become dead and sodden, they ought to be renewed. 
Rudd—and Roach also during cold weather—will often 
bite freely at the worm ; for which purpose I have found 
the brandling most successful. As liver gentles are the 
best general bait for the hook, so carrion gentles are the 
best ground-bait both for Roach and Rudd. In ponds 
and still waters they should be used alone, or at any 
rate mixed with nothing heavier than wet bran; but in 
running waters, unless in eddies or the gentlest currents, 
soaked bread or meal should be added, without which it 
is very difficult to regulate with any degree of nicety” 
the point at which they will reach the ground. The 
stronger and deeper the stream the stiffer should be the 
mixture. If gentles in sufficient abundance cannot be 
obtained, the above ground baits, singly or in combina- 
tion, are the best substitutes. Meal by itself, or mixed 
with boiled rice, makes a very fair ground-bait for 
streams, as it possesses the requisite consistency and 
weight for withstanding the action of the water; 
chewed bread-crumb is also a by no means contemptible 
substitute in ponds and lighter waters. If possible, it is 
better to bait the place it is proposed to fish before- 
hand; and on this point, the principle laid down under 
the head of Barbel and Bream fishing (pp. 247-8) should 
be observed. Roach being both smaller eaters and com- 
moniy congregating in smaller shoals than the last- 
named fish, should be ground baited for with a pro- 
portionately smaller quantity of food. In ground 
