TENCH-FISHING 149 
to his behaviour in an aquarium, whereof I was the sedulous 
guardian in days long since gone by. As a sporting fish he 
Angling has never tightened line of mine ; I rely, therefore, 
for Tench. ypon Mr. Wheeley as a guide to the art of taking 
him with hook and line. 
The method seems to be much the same as in fishing for 
carp, either with the float, in the manner known as “tight 
corking ’’—that is, with a short straight line from the rod-point 
to the float—or with the ledger. If tench are about and in the 
humour to feed, the sport is often fast and very brisk ; for the 
tench will not yield up his loafing, leisurely existence without a 
stiff fight, and is a powerful swimmer when put to it. But 
tench may be about, yet nothing be found to induce them 
to take the bait. ‘ You may fish,” says Mr. Wheeley, “for, 
days, and not get a single tench ; then they will suddenly feed 
and you may fill your basket in no time.’ Hot weather is best 
for this sport, under the shade of trees. The likeliest baits are 
the same as those recommended for carp. 
