AND HOW TO USE IT. 21 



as to thicken the water, and then drop your 

 bait in the puddle. Gudgeon always rush into 

 cloudy water, because they find their food 

 among the caddies and other small insects 

 which are turned up on the bottom being 

 stirred. It sometimes answers the same pur- 

 pose to throw in a handful of sand or gravel, 

 also a small quantity of ground-bait. It is 

 also an excellent plan to shift your quarters 

 to another part of the water ; gudgeon are a 

 roving fish, and often leave a spot as if in 

 search of change of food. A very small float 

 should be used, and the line shotted so that 

 the tip only of the float is seen above water, 

 particularly if the surface be smooth and un- 

 ruffled; but in- rapid waters, and during windy 

 weather, a larger float will be required. 



The depth must be carefully plumbed, and 

 the bait allowed to touch or trail on the ground. 



Gudgeon prefer clear running streams, and 

 a fine gravelly or sandy bottom, free from weeds 

 and mud. 



In rapid shallow currents, where gudgeon are 

 abundant, the cast-net will be found a very 

 effective means of taking them. 



