AS TO THE CARP 



By W. T. Hunt 



Just a word as to the humble and much-derided carp, 

 out of my own experience with that fish, which, if more 

 generally understood, would not be the subject of so much 

 unjust criticism. The carp, especially fish of ten or more 

 pounds in weight, will give the man who fishes for it with 

 rather light tackle all the sport he desires, but its action 

 when hooked is peculiar to itself and unlike that of any fish 

 of my acquaintance. I have captured hundreds of large 

 ones with an ordinary seven-ounce rod and light line and 

 have enjoyed the sport. 



I use a bait composed of flour and pulverized corn meal. 

 with a small amount of sugar. First I mix one cup of flour 

 with a similar amount of corn meal and then pour gradually 

 over this one cup of boiling water, which thoroughly steams 

 the mixture. When this is done I work it up by kneading 

 until it is stiff and is ready for use. Sometimes I boil it for 

 twenty minutes, but if it is properly made it will remain 

 upon the hook without boiling. It is the best bait in this 

 section, where the fish are plentiful in the streams. They 

 may be taken best during the warm months. 



A reel of from seventy-five to one hundred yards of 

 strong line should be used and the rod should be fastened by 

 driving a stiff stick between the rod and line just in front 

 of the reel. I use pieces of rod from steel-handled um- 

 brellas. This precaution should always be taken for the 

 reason that if a big carp, say over ten pounds, takes the 

 bait, it usually gives no warning but will go off in a steady 

 pull for many yards and if the rod is loose upon the ground 

 it goes along every time. I had a rod taken when it lay 

 across my knees while I was mending a landing net. and I 

 recovered it only after doing some lively swimming and 

 diving. This carp weighed but eight pounds. 



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