222 



This fish delights in recluse deep waters. that are turbid 

 and foul j in such it increases very fast in size, and pro- 

 pagates very rapidly. It spawns about MicLummer, or 

 later, in some waters ; it being earliest in those which are 

 warmest r it falls off very much after spawning, and does 

 not recover for at least two months, when it begins to get 

 firm, and increases in condition until it spawns again. 



The mouth of the tench is moderately large, and as it 

 sometimes reaches to a good size, namely, as far as four 

 or five pounds, your hook should be about No. 5, or not 

 less than No. 6, on a good gut} thougJi I think for pond- 

 ft-hing, weed is preferable, as the colour of the water is in, 

 jour favour. 



Cast among weedy patches, generally below mid- 

 water : if you have previously baited the hole, you may 

 reckon on good sport -, if that has not been done, throw 

 in scrne malt, or grains, and clay- balls with worms stuck 

 ;i: ihera. 



The best baits are the brandlings from rotten taiv 

 which are lull of a yellow liquid. Your float should be 

 ii;:ht ; but if you bait with grubs, palmers, wasp- 

 maggots, gtntles, or cadlatcs, it should be as small as 

 caa be used. 



Tench do not swallow very quickly, sometimes hold' 

 ing it in their mouths for a while ; therefore give them 

 goc.d time, and let them either keep the float down, or, 

 as is often the case, let them rise with the bait, so as to lay 

 your float on the water. 



This is an excellent sign, and warrants your striking ; 

 but rather gently, lest the fish should be only sucking tfce 

 bait j for he will seldom return after it is drawn from his 

 mouth. 



The 



