AND HOW TO USE IT. 27 



There is no better or more general bait for 

 roach fishing than paste, which may be made 

 in the following simple manner : take a piece 

 of crumb of bread from a new or second day's 

 loaf, dip it in clean pure water, take it out 

 again directly, squeeze out the water, and then, 

 with clean washed hands, knead it in the palm 

 of the left hand with the thumb of the right : 

 after about ten minutes hard kneading, a tough 

 white paste will be formed, which will adhere 

 firmly to the hook though the current be ever 

 so rapid; and it is also as tempting a bait 

 as any that can be used for roach fishing. 

 Sometimes a little colouring of vermillion will 

 make it more enticing a very small quantity 

 only of this should be added, just sufficient to 

 make the paste of a pale pink or salmon-roe 

 colour. In summer, gentles are also a very 

 good bait for roach ; and in winter they will 

 take small red worms and brandlings. The 

 paste, however, is the most reliable bait at all 

 seasons of the year, and that with which the 

 largest roach are generally taken. 



Always plumb the depth before commencing 

 bottom fishing ; and, when using a hair or gut 

 line, it is a very good plan, after having found 



