AND HOW TO USE IT. 33 



The barbel bites suddenly and sharply, it is 

 therefore necessary to strike promptly and 

 firmly. Having hooked a barbel, raise the top 

 of the rod and allow the fish to run off some 

 distance before turning it : keep it away from 

 weeds, and play it a considerable time before 

 attempting to land it. If a heavy fish, half an 

 hour will not be too long. Keep the fish in deep 

 water, and you need have no fear of its breaking 

 away ; as the barbel has such tough leather-like 

 lips, that if the hook is fairly fixed, it will not 

 draw, but probably be found on landing the fish 

 to require cutting away. 



Ground-bait should be thrown in plentifully 

 over night, for barbel ; and in small quantities 

 frequently whilst fishing for them. Let the 

 ground-bait consist of greaves, chopped lob- 

 worms, or bran and clay. The greaves should 

 be first laid to soak in cold water, two or three 

 days. 



Barbel bite freely from March to November, 

 but as they spawn in April or May, they are 

 out of season from the beginning of April to 

 the end of June. Early in the morning and 

 late at night are the best biting times for these 

 fish. 



