64 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



roach mount up the rivers in a very singular order. The 

 males and females separate themselves so as to form dis- 

 tinct troops. One troop of males takes the lead, a troop of 

 females follows without mingling with the other; and at 

 last a second troop of males closes the march, They go 

 very close together; and if any accident separates them 

 on their route, they quickly re-form their battalions, and 

 resume their march when the danger is passed." We 

 never noticed this habit ourselves; we never heard of 

 any sportsman who ever did; and we never before saw 

 any account of it in any book; it may, however, be true 

 for all that, although it savours strongly of the fanciful. 



The roach attains a large size. They are said to have 

 been killed in England of the weight of two pounds ; but 

 in the French waters they reach a larger size than this, 

 and give the angler a good deal of trouble, as they 

 require delicate tackle to deceive them. The roach is by 

 no means the stupid reckless fish some represent him 

 to be ; on the contrary, he demands a fair amount of skill 

 and caution, and affords very respectable sport, when of 

 good size and in full season. 



There is a fish of the roach species, called in England 

 the RUDD, which is very numerous in the waters of 

 France, and is there designated, "ROACH-CARP." Walton 

 seems to think the rudd lies between the roach and the 

 bream. Other writers declare it to be a separate fish 

 altogether; but most probably it is a genuine cross 

 between the roach and the carp. In France, this fish 

 attains a great size. He abounds in the fosses round the 

 fortified towns in the north of France, is a bold biter, 

 and a very strong active fish. He is rather better eating 

 than the roach ; but few anglers would catch him for the 



