AND HOW TO USE IT. 35 



When the water is clear, there is no more 

 enticing bait for barbel than the white pieces 

 of soaked greaves, with a gentle on the tip 

 of the hook. 



In barbel fishing it is highly important that 

 the depth be carefully plumbed, and the bait 

 suspended within an inch of the bottom ; and 

 if it touches, it will do as well : some barbel- 

 anglers always let their baits touch the bottom. 



Besides the baits already mentioned, barbel 

 will also take cheese, green gentles, and salmon- 

 roe. Walton says " sheep's tallow, and soft 

 cheese beaten or worked into a paste" is a 

 choice bait for barbel in the month of August. 



It is a very usual practice, particularly in 

 the neighbourhood of London, to angle for 

 barbie from a fishing-punt; in which case, a 

 short strong rod should be employed with a 

 platted silk running line. 



It is of no use to angle for barbel in cold 

 or winterly weather : they will not bite freely 

 until the spring is well advanced and the frosts 

 are gone. 



Barbel always bite best in rainy weather; 

 and about the hours of sunrise and sunset in 

 warm weather they will also bite at night. 



