BAIT FOR DACE. 155 



quil waters, but in streams it is of course useless; both, 

 however, are contemptible devices. 



Gudgeons will bite at any time of the day; but after 

 a soaking shower they feed most greedily. 



23aft for Bnce. 



This is a bold active fish, and, at the proper seasons, 

 early in the spring and late in the summer, or beginning 

 of autumn, bites freely, and with decision. The tackle 

 employed in roach-fishing is well adapted for the dace, 

 and when of a tolerable size, he will afford the angler 

 very respectable sport. 



Many kinds of bait are recommended, or rather sug- 

 gested for catching this fish; but the best are, unques- 

 tionably, clean red worms and flies. The French very 

 frequently use a small water- worm, which is found in 

 little narrow straws, like quills, which float on the water, 

 and which they call " porte-boit" We never tried this 

 bait; but are assured that dace are very fond of it. It is 

 like our caddis worm. 



The dace must be sought for in running water; and it 

 is by no means an uncommon circumstance to meet with 

 him in trout-streams which abound with deep holes, and 

 where the waters are not constantly bright and clear. 

 A brilliant red worm, covering a small hook, shank and 

 all, with a shot a foot above it to sink the line, but with- 

 out a float, will catch him readily in such waters. 



In fishing for him with the fly, the common black 

 gnat is as good as any ; and if the point of the hook on 

 which the fly is wrapped be tipped with a live gentle, as 

 in roach- fishing, the dace may be killed with surprising 

 rapidity when he is rising at the natural flies in a fine 

 summer evening. 



