250 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



the stream for several hours. A few worms should be 

 allowed to protrude half their length or so, here and 

 there, through the outside of the thicker balls. The 

 object of these dispositions is to avoid glutting the fish at 

 one time, and then leaving them without anything to 

 attract or amuse them for the rest of the twenty-four 

 hours interval between baiting and fishing. 



On the other hand it is most important that the 

 solidity and number of the clay balls be so adjusted that 

 their contents should be consumed some hours before 

 the swim is to be tried with the rod and line — that the 

 fish, in fact, should be allowed an interval to regain their 

 appetites. 



These are the principles which must guide the angler 

 in " previous ground baitings," whether for Barbel or 

 other fish. Their application, which differs of course 

 according to the circumstances of each individual case, is 

 a matter often requiring both nicety and judgment, 

 upon the display of which the success of the bottom 

 fishing will in a great degree depend. 



The Barbel spawn in May or June, and as soon as 

 they have recovered a little strength make their way 

 into the swiftest streams they can find, such as weirs, 

 mill-tails, &c., to scour and brace themselves; beginning 

 to get into condition again in a few weeks, and being in 

 the best season for the angler until September and 

 October, when the frosty nights drive them from the 

 streams and shallows into the deeper waters. Here they 



