32 THE FISHING-ROD; 



the water some minutes, and they run under 

 roots and banks, or into large beds of weeds, 

 struggling hard, or trying by every possible 

 manoeuvre to perplex the angler. 



The rod and tackle necessary for barbel 

 fishing must be stout and strong : use a winch 

 and running tackle, gut line, cork float, and No. 

 6 or 7 hook : and if the fish are not large, No. 

 8 or 9 hook will be preferable, because the 

 barbel has a small mouth ; but of such tough 

 and leathery substance, that if once hooked 

 there is no fear of the flesh breaking away. 

 Hooks for this sport should be made of stouter 

 wire than is used for other fish : indeed there 

 are hooks made specially for barbel fishing. 



The best baits for barbel fishing are red 

 worms, gentles, and greaves : and the bait 

 should touch or hang within two inches of the 

 bottom. It is always best in barbel fishing 

 to be provided with all three baits, because these 

 fish are sometimes changeable in their tastes, 

 and appear to grow tired of one bait, which, the 

 hour previously, may have been most enticing. 



It is a vry good plan, particularly when the 

 water is discoloured, to put two small red 

 worms on the hook. 



