I 86 BRITISH FRESHWATER FISHES 



his boat, which must be small, light, and at the 

 same time steady in her bearings, he keeps her 

 steady with his pole, and, lying down with his head 

 over the gunwale and his right arm bared to the 

 shoulder — taking advantage, in his search, of light 

 and shade — he gently with his fingers displaces the 

 weeds, and endeavours to descry the Tench in his 

 retreat. If the fisherman can see part of the fish, 

 so as to determine which way the head lies, the 

 certainty of capture is much increased ; if he cannot, 

 immersing his arm, he feels slowly and cautiously 

 about until he touches it, which, if done gently on 

 head or body, is generally disregarded by this 

 sluggish and stupid fish ; but if the tail is the part 

 molested, a dash away again is the usual conse- 

 quence. Should the fisherman succeed in ascertain- 

 ing the position of the fish, which under favourable 

 circumstances he generally does, he insinuates one 

 hand, which alone is used, under it, just behind the 

 gills, and raises it gently, but yet rapidly, towards 

 the surface of the water. In lifting it over the boat 

 side, which, it need not be said, should be low, he takes 

 care not to touch the gunwale with his kunckles, 

 as the very slightest jar makes the captive flounce 

 and struggle. On being laid down, the Tench often 

 remains motionless for full a minute, and then 

 begins apparently to perceive the fraud practised 

 upon it. The fisherman then, if he ' marked ' more 

 than one Tench when the shoal dispersed, proceeds 

 to search for it. If not, he endeavours to start 

 another, by striking his pole against the side or 

 bottom of the boat — several are generally close at 

 hand. The concussion moves other fish, when the 

 same manoeuvres are repeated. In this way I have 



