TENCH 



Tench. — Tinea vulgaris. The generic name Tinea, 



the Latin word for Tench, comes from an old French 



\\ord=Te?tehe (Fig. 45). This fat-bellied species is a 



lover of deep back-waters and lakes whose surface is 



covered with lily leaves. In consequence of this, the 



Tench is rarely seen, and as it revels in mud and keeps 



very much to the bottom, only the angler is likely to 



encounter it. To many it is known as the Doctor Fish, 



it being stated that the healing properties of its slime 



are such that wounded fish will rub up against it in the 



hope and expectation of being cured. I have often seen 



Pike that have been wounded in the head burying their 



fore-parts in mud with the apparent idea of stopping 



the bleeding, but I cannot substantiate from personal 



observation the statement that my old friend, the Tench, 



is a member of the healing profession. June, July, or 



early August are the best months to catch this fish, as 



after then, it seems to retire to its Winter quarters, 



from which it is difficult to tempt it. When seizing 



bait, the Tench is quite likely to deceive an inexperienced 



fisherman. When taking a worm in its mouth, the fish 



commences to chew it and then disgorges. As it does 



this, the float bobs slightly, warning the angler that 



something is happening in the unseen depths. When 



the float quivers, then is the moment to strike. If the 



float disappears quickly and a strike is made, the fish 



will be missed, as it merely has the end of the worm in 



its mouth. Super-patience is required in catching the 



Tench,' though I remember landing two fine specimens 



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