ARTIFICIAL GENTLES. 199 



will rise eagerly at it. It is more than probable 

 that the roach will take it best when it is sunk 

 some inches, or even a foot or more, below the 

 surface.' 



The above bait can be well imitated artificially. 

 Tie on delicately a pair of wings from the land- 

 rail's reddest feather, and imitate the gentle by a 

 body made of a little strip of very fine bright 

 yellow wash leather, or floss silk of the same 

 colour, with gold-beater's skin lapped over it. 

 This bait will last a,s long as any artificial fly, and 

 may be cast upon the water in the same way, 

 using it as a stretcher in conjunction with two 

 drop flies. If dressed large it will kill large chub, 

 and towards evening in the summer season may 

 tempt large Thames trout. 



Gentles are a summer and autumn bait. The 

 bottom-line in fishing with them should be fine, 

 and they should be handled delicately. On fine 

 mild winter-month days they are a good bait for 

 roach and grayling. 



Grentles in London can be cheaply procured at 

 the fishing-tackle shops, elsewhere, and by other 

 means. You can even produce them for yourself. 

 4 Hang,' says Captain Williamson, 6 a piece of ox- 

 liver on a hook in a shady place, cut it deeply 

 across and across in various places on both sides ; 

 then cover it over lightly with small boughs, 

 cabbage leaves, or anything that will shelter the 



