28 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



they frequent shallow places, hiding among weeds ; 

 but about September the weeds rot, and they retire to 

 the deeps ; then commences the Roach Angler's harvest. 



The season for Hoach fishing in the Thames, begins 

 about the end of August, and continues much longer 

 than it is pleasant, except to a thoroughbred Angler, 

 about this time the weeds become disagreeable to their 

 palate, and they leave them. This happens sooner or 

 later, according as the season is wet or dry. The 

 fishermen on the Thames are constantly on the watch 

 to sweep them away with nets, but great numbers 

 escape to the deeps, which in many places are staked 

 to preserve the fidh. 



Single hair lines are mostly in use by the London 

 Anglers, and these are of so good a quality, that 

 they, with ease, can kill the heaviest Roach. (An 

 old New River Angler, caught a Roach at the 

 Rack Bridge, New River, weighing 2lbs. Joz. with 

 a single hair line.) I must differ from them in this 

 respect, as I cannot possibly be brought to believe 

 that fish can distinguish between fine gut and single 

 hair ; it is true, I am almost alone in my opinion as 

 the objections to gut are numerous, some asserting 

 that gut beads in the water, that the stiffness will 

 always be an impediment, however fine stained or 

 pliant, it is contended that the pliancy of single hair 

 greatly increases the success. It is my opinion that 

 single hair has no advantage over fine gut, and never 

 can believe that fish can tell the difference, perhaps 

 I may be wrong. 



