108 BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 
gentleman, coveting greatly the conquest of certain great carp 
in Virginia Water, Windsor, used to watch them lying log-like 
at the surface basking in the summer sun. He had fine tackle, 
suitable rods, and other gear, but the difficulty was to get a 
bait out to them; for they mostly lay a couple of hundred 
yards from the nearest shore. Approach by punt proved not 
feasible : the fish invariably sank out of sight long before the 
angler came within range. 
At last, under the stimulating influence of a pipe, Mr. 
Keene struck out a plan of campaign. Choosing a morning 
when there was a gentle breeze, he went afloat in the punt, 
which he allowed to float within fifty yards of where the fish 
lay, and then stealthily cast anchor. A fresh green pea was 
put upon a small hook attached to very light tackle, and a 
large chestnut leaf affixed to the gut. Line was paid off the 
delicate reel as the wind carried the leaf and bait through the 
air in the direction of the fish. After the leaf dropped on the 
water, the breeze continued to waft it in the desired direction, 
until the angler, trembling with excitement, had the satisfaction 
of seeing it pass right among the fish. 
“« All on a sudden, down went the leaf ; the line tightened, 
and a terrific rush told that Cyprinus carpio had found his 
match. Now came the Greek-to-Greek combat. Right and 
left in turn, now down to the bottom, anon quite at the 
surface, was the fight prolonged ; but, so far as Master Carp 
was concerned, it was in vain. After an hour’s good sport— 
such sport as I never but once before experienced—he was 
landed, scaling 91 lbs.” * 
Mr. Keene confirms Izaak Walton’s opinion that early 
morning in hot weather is the time when your carp is most 
ready to do business. 
As a table fish, the carp never gets a fair chance in 
England nowadays. Taken in a pond, generally of small 
extent and polluted by the fish’s own excretions, it is often 
* The Practical Fisherman, by J. H. Keene, p. 73. 
