ON SMALL FISH, PRINCirALLY USED AS BAITS. 28 1 



diately afterwards throw the bait into the same place, 

 letting it swim quietly down until a bite is perceived. 

 When the swim is finished repeat the cast, using a little 

 more bran now and then as may seem judicious, in order 

 to keep the Bleak together. If, from the rises of the 

 iish, it appears that they are following the bran down 

 the stream, the angler should keep with them, always 

 casting where the most fish are rising. By this means, 

 wherever Bleak are plentiful,, a good dish can generally 

 be calculated on, and they will be the finest in the shoal. 

 No shot are necessary, and the style of this fishing 

 generally, approximates to that of artificial fly-fishing. 

 All depends on extreme fineness in the gut and tackle. 



I have already mentioned, when alluding to the cast- 

 net, that if Bleak are required as baits, soaked bran is 

 the most certain bait for attracting them into any given 

 spot. A small eddy not more than two feet deep is the 

 best water for this purpose. 



Bleak dressed and eaten like Whitebait make a very 

 good dish. It is an important point, however, that they 

 should be eaten when quite hot, and that plenty of salt 

 and pepper should be scattered over them whilst they are 

 in process of frying. They spawn in May. 



The Gudgeon, although principally interesting to 

 sportsmen as a bait for other fish, has, from its instinctive 

 readiness to bite, and general simplicity of conduct, 

 many devotees amongst the softer sex, who often beat 



