THE NORFOLK BROADS 263 



the other side of the boat. The hook is rebaited and 

 cast out again, to return almost at once with a second 

 tiny roach on it. 



Several others follow and are duly returned, and the 

 angler is pondering on the advisability of trying white 

 paste in the hope of something bigger, when his other 

 float forces itself on his attention by not being there. 

 Laying down the roach-rod across the boat, he picks 

 up the other and strikes, to find that he is fast in a 

 good fish, which by its play is evidently no bream. It 

 shows plenty of dash, and tries more than once to get 

 among the reeds, but a little extra strain turns it each 

 time, and at last it is brought towards the boat, con- 

 testing every inch of the way. The gleam of a golden 

 side reveals a rudd as it makes a final dash to avoid 

 the net, and presently it can be admired in all its glory, 

 as it is lifted into the boat. There is no more beauti- 

 ful fish than a Norfolk rudd, with its brilliant fins and 

 bronze-gold sides. Somewhat deeper than a roach, it 

 is not so deep as a bream, and is more active and 

 powerful than either. The fish just caught is one and 

 a half pounds, which may be considered a good weight, 

 though three and even three and a half pounders are 

 not unknown. 



A fresh lobworm is thrown out, but for a long time 

 no notice is taken of it, though the other rod, which is 

 now baited with paste, continues to catch small roach 

 and rudd, and now and then a little silver bream, 

 though of these, fortunately, not many, and presently 

 gets one of the first weighing three quarters of a pound. 

 All things considered, this is a large roach for a broad 

 where, as a rule, the species runs small ; this corner, 



