230 



You will find great advantage from the use of ground- 

 baits ; and if you throw in lumps of clay mixed with 

 clotted blood, you will be sure to attract them, and per- 

 haps some carp and tench. 



The Iream being rather a shy fish, you should be 

 careful to keep out of sight, and to lower your bait very 

 gently into the water. 



The large bream, such as weigh more than a pound, 

 are sometimes very bold, and give a very decided bite - y 

 .but owing to the smallness of the mouth, it is prudent 

 not to be too quick in striking : when struck, be ready 

 to give plenty of line, where the situation admits ; if it 

 stands the first or second pull, you may conclude the fish 

 is your own. 



I should not omit to state, that the Iream will rarely 

 be found in Barrow confined waters j it being particu- 

 larly timid, and fond of laying out in the broadest parts, 

 where the shadows of men, cattle, &c. do not affect it. 



Of the Barbel. 



This is a remarkably handsome fish, but its flesh by no 

 means corresponds with its outward appearance ; being 

 poor, stringy, and dry. The roe is held to be poisonous, 

 and even in small quantities, will occasion violent gripings, 

 and sickness at the stomach : this fish attains a very large 

 size, sometimes weighing near thirty pounds ! 



It is remarkably fond of those irregular depths in the 

 gravel, which are called by the seamen " over-falls j" 

 that is, sudden shallows, and holes, alternately. Barbels 

 may be often seen from the tops of bridges, &c. in great 

 numbers, some large, some small 5 though I have re- 

 marked, that the very small ones., such as are under a 



pound 



