io8 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 9! Ibs." * 



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. 



