Bream and Barbel. 



15 



prescription. Whatever kind is 

 used, care should be taken that it 

 is sweet and fresh, as bream are 

 clean feeders. 



The rod should not be too stiff, 

 and light enough to get the best 

 sport out of the bream. In length 

 it varies, according to the circum- 

 stances in which one fishes. From 

 a punt length is a matter of in- 

 difference. A long pole is an ad- 

 vantage when approaching them 

 from the bank. Running tackle 

 is indispensable, as one has to fish 



porcupine or swan-quill float, 

 about 5 in. in length. Bearing in 

 mind the nervous temperament of 

 your quarry, anything that makes 

 a splash or bulks large in clear 

 water is inadvisable. For the 

 same reason fish fine, using a 

 couple of yards of gut, the hook 

 link being of the finest and best 

 undrawn quality. If you get 

 smashed up with a running line, 

 it will be your own fault, or that 

 of your tackle, as bream are fair 

 fighters and rarely attempt to take 



A BREAM SWIM. 



fine, and a heavy bream is not to 

 be trifled with. The winch should 

 have an easy yielding check, a 

 Nottingham or gun-metal make 

 will serve the purpose. A No. 9- 

 sized hook (new scale) will accom- 

 modate the bait, which in quantity 

 should be larger than that used 

 for roach. A crystal or a sneck 

 bend, with a long shank, is the 

 most suitable pattern. 



The nature of the water must 

 determine the method of angling. 

 In a slow-running stream, varying 

 little in depth, it is best to use a 



to the weeds or such harbourage, 

 like our friend the chub. As they 

 feed off the bottom the bait 

 should be affixed so as to trip 

 along the mud in running water, 

 or rest on it in a sluggish pool. 

 Bread paste, worms and gentles 

 are all good baits, and if one does 

 not attract the fish, try the others. 

 The, first indication of the 

 bream's addresses is shown in the 

 float rising from the perpendicular 

 and lying flat on the water. This 

 proves that the bait is lifted off 

 the bottom, and the float relieved 



