i 4 2 THE SPORTING FISH 



sequence of the heavy baskets he made, informed 

 me that by covering his face and head with some 

 sort of mask he was enabled to look over the edge 

 of the bank unperceived, and could thus guide his 

 bait into the jaws of the fish he wished to catch 

 and watch them take it. If he attempted the same 

 process unmasked, the Chub were instantly 

 alarmed and ceased biting, or made off altogether. 



When once hooked, and the first powerful rush 

 for the boughs checked, the Chub seldom escapes, 

 having remarkably tough and gristly jaws, or being 

 as it is termed " leather mouthed." 



In the earlier part of summer the fish is to 

 be found in the sharpest and swiftest streams, into 

 which it rushes to recover strength after the 

 spawning exhaustion of May. In June and July 

 it moves into deeper waters, especially below banks 

 hung with trees or bushes, and will be there found 

 until October or November when it takes up its 

 winter quarters, in quiet swims, under willow beds, 

 amongst roots, by sunken piles, or in any other 

 cover affording good shelter. 



The chocolate, almost black, tint of back and 

 tail of the Chub are very conspicuous in the water, 

 where indeed it often causes it to be distinguished 

 from the dace and other fish even before it has 

 taken the fly or bait. The lips are also peculiar in 

 colour, being so white as (when opened) to be 

 easily perceived at the surface, even at the distance 

 of i o or 15 yards. 



