242 



times remarkably fine : when big with roe they are deli- 

 cious ; especially when broiled in buttered paper. 



I am of opinion, that these fishes change their haunts 

 but seldom ; for I never knew a place where they once 

 assembled, that was at any season totally deserted by 

 them j unless from the water becoming stagnate, when 

 they speedily quit for some new haunt : as before ob- 

 served, I think they cannot remain in standing water ; 

 and consequently are not suited to ponds. 



I never knew one of them rise to a fly, though I have 

 tried all colours. 



OfthcRudd, or Fin- Scale. 



This is a very scarce fish, and is much admired for 

 the delicacy and sweetness of its flesh ; especially those 

 that grow to a good size; it rarely exceeds a pound and 

 a half j though I have heard of some being taken equal 

 to three pou.cls. There is something handsome in its 

 appearance j produced probably by the spots on its gill- 

 covers, and by the rich colour of its fins : it has the pe- 

 culiarity of double nostrils. 



The rudd being a great straggler, must be angled for 

 with strong tackle, such as a hook No. 5, on a good 

 single gut; without shot, and allowing your bait, for 

 which a fine blood-worm or a cadlate are preferable, to 

 play about with a very gentle motion about a foot deep, 

 among weeds that are not very thick ; now and then 

 lowering your bait to mid -water, or more. 



Angle in this manner in the deep bends of gently 



meandering streams ; early and late, when the weather is 



. close and sultry ; but when there is a moderate, Riffling 



breeze, you may catch them at all hours - } especially in 



the 



