36 THE FISHING-ROD; 



In very dry weather they never bite well ; nor 

 will they when the wind is easterly : but when 

 the barometer indicates the approach of rain they 

 generally bite freely. After a heavy rain, and 

 during a flood, they always feed greedily ; and 

 such is the time when the heaviest creels are 

 made in barbel fishing. 



TENCH FISHING. 



THE tench is of the carp species ; it is also to 

 be angled for in the same manner and with the 

 same baits as for carp : the scales of the tench 

 are very small and close, and of a greenish gold 

 colour : and the whole is covered with a slimy 

 substance, which is said to emit a balsamic or 

 healing power to other fish. Tench thrive best 

 in ponds where the bottom is gravelly or clayey : 

 it is, however, a fish that is frequently taken in 

 rivers and lakes ; but it is always very shy and 

 wary in its habits. It is also found to thrive 

 sometimes in stagnant, weedy and muddy 

 waters ; but the flesh is not so good or whole- 

 some as when taken from a pure water-pond. 



Use a strong bottom-rod for tench fishing, 

 a quill or small cork-float, a gut-line, and 

 running-tackle ; with a No. 6, 7, or 8 hook. In 



