ROACH AND RUDD. 259 



baiting a swim the day previous, a pint or so of carrion 

 gentles, mixed with about a quart of one or other of the 

 baits above described is about the right quantity. In 

 ground baiting a swim for present fishing, two or three 

 handfuls to begin with will be quite sufficient, smaller 

 quantities being thrown in afterwards. As Roach are 

 easily scared, it will be found the best plan to scatter 

 in frequently at the head of the swim small quantities of 

 bait in broken pieces. If the ground bait is meal or 

 bread, a quantity about equal in bulk to a walnut is 

 about the proper quantity for each " scattering." Whilst 

 Roach are biting, such small pieces may be thrown in 

 with advantage. After every two or three fish hooked, 

 the bait should be dropped immediately in the same 

 place. If gentles alone are used, much smaller quantities 

 will suffice both for preliminary and subsequent ground 

 baiting. For other observations on the subject of baits 

 and ground baits, mode of obtaining and preserving 

 gentles, &c., see chapter on baits (p. 225). 



The tackle and methods of Roach fishing are those 

 already described for ordinary bottom fishing (pp. 219-22), 

 and Nottingham fishing (pp. 222-3), the last named being 

 preferable ; and in either case it is of the utmost impor- 

 tance that the tackle and line used should be of the finest. 

 A long, light, stiffish rod is most convenient, and many 

 Roach fishers keep a rod expressly for the purpose, made 

 of light East India cane, or bamboo. The general rod 

 described at p. 51, contains, however, a suitable and 



