BAIT FOR BLEAK. 157 



sunken trees, or any other similar impediments. Close 

 by the side of this current, if very violent ; and smack in 

 the middle of it if moderate, let the angler throw his 

 line, baited with fresh gentles. These fish, in such 

 places, will run at them most furiously; and the sportsman 

 will have little to do but pull out fish, sometimes half-a- 

 dozen together, and bait his hooks. With this kind of 

 tackle we have seen hundreds taken out of the running 

 waters in the Pas de Calais; and at the " Ecluse des 

 Quatre Faces," in the village of Arques, near St. Omer, a 

 party of three pulled out more than five hundred of these 

 little fellows, in a short morning's fishing. 



Gentles, as Walton says, are undoubtedly the best baits 

 for bleak; but artificial flies, tipped with a minute bit of 

 white leather, or white kid-glove, will answer very well 

 when gentles are not to be had. 



A float, about an inch in length, made of the end of a 

 pen, with one little girdle of quill round it to hold the 

 gut, is often used in bleak fishing, and, when the water 

 is still, very much improves the tackle ; in a stream the 

 float is useless. No shot should ever be put on a bleak 

 line under any circumstances. 



Some people recommend a small worm, with a sunken 

 line and float. We never tried the plan, but can well 

 imagine it must be a most dismal affair. 



For young anglers, and, indeed, for older practitioners, 

 bleak-fishing is by no means a contemptible amusement. 

 The rushing of the waters the activity of the fish the 

 rapidity with which he bites the dexterity and quick- 

 ness required of the angler the confusion and splashing 

 when four or five are hooked together, and all darting in 

 different directions the graceful beauty of the well- 

 shaped handsome little fish, as he sparkles and glitters in 



