260 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



efficient weapon for all practical purposes. For gentles 

 and paste a No. 3 or 4 hook (see p. 11) will be found the 

 most convenient size, a very small piece (about the six- 

 teenth of an inch) of the shank end being nipped off. 

 If the gentles are large, four will be found the best 

 number to bait the above hooks with. They should be 

 made into a " bunchy" looking bait, by the hook being 

 passed through the first three gentles laterally, or across, 

 about the middle. If threaded up to the hook in the more 

 usual way the gentles follow its curve, and form a sus- 

 picious-looking half circle of bodies. The point of the 

 hook should be entirely concealed in the fourth gentle, so 

 that when complete no part of the hook should be seen. 

 The bait should swim three or four inches clear of the 

 bottom in rivers, and in ponds at from about eight 

 inches to a foot from the ground according to the 

 depth. The best depth for a river Roach swim is 

 usually from five to seven feet, over a gravelly or sandy 

 bottom, and the best time to strike a bite is just when 

 the top of the float is disappearing, or is held for a 

 moment level with the top of the water. In order to 

 strike effectually it is advisable to fish with a short line, 

 and the float as nearly under the point of the rod as 

 possible. A violent and sudden darting away of the 

 float usually indicates the bite of a small fish which is 

 generally missed. A heavy Roach rarely makes any 

 great demonstration, but after one or two preliminary 

 " bobs," quietly takes the float down. 



