32 FISHES AND FISHING. 



it was made up with honey ; after that, I could catch 

 carp as well, or better than him. To make this paste 

 your hands must be very clean, and well rinsed from 

 soap ; dip a piece of wheaten bread that is a day old, 

 in clean water for a moment, then press, and squeeze, 

 and work it up into a stiff paste with honey ; ascer 

 tain the depth of the spot where you propose to angle 

 the day before, and make a mark so that you may 

 know whether the water have risen or fallen ; ground- 

 bait the place with bread made into paste, mixed with 

 a little barleymeal, and a small quantity of honey, 

 the night, or even two nights before you angle ; your 

 hook must be short in the shank, and the hook should 

 be hidden by the paste ; the whole bait should be 

 about the size of a marrow-fat pea. You must ap 

 proach the bank very quietly, not too close, drop in 

 your bait gently, and let your rod lie down ; the shot 

 should nearly rest on the bottom, but not quite, so 

 that your float, which should be very light, will have 

 its lower end a little depressed ; the bait will be 

 about nine inches from the shot ; the gut must be 

 fine, but round and strong : throw in, one at a time, 

 very quietly, little pellets of plain paste, about the 

 size of peas. Angle in a still place near an eddy, in 

 from four, to six or more feet of water. The carp 

 will suck in the bait, the end of the float will dip 

 under water. As soon as you see this, carefully, and 



