282 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



their lords hollow in the art. I once forfeited a pair of 

 gloves to a fair angler, who wagered that she would 

 catch ten out of a dozen bites, " nibbles included," and 

 actually did it. Notwithstanding, however, its some- 

 what feminine reputation, there is no doubt that Gudgeon- 

 fishing often exercises a fascination over male minds 

 also ; and I am acquainted with many men who 

 practically confine their angling to the capture of this 

 fish. 



Gudgeon are hardly ever seen, unless by an accident, 

 in other than running waters ; and here they are to be 

 found — principally on gravel or sand — during the 

 summer, which is the time for taking them. I have 

 seen them in July and August, on the rippling shallows 

 of the Hampshire Avon, literally by thousands, and 

 that often in water little more than enough to cover 

 them. In one throw of the cast-net on such a spot I 

 took last year no less than 98 Gudgeon, most of them 

 very large ; and probably a score or two at least escaped 

 in carrying the net over the fifty yards of shallow which 

 intervened between me and the shore. 



The ordinary tackle for bottom-fishing should be used 

 for Gudgeon with a medium-sized porcupine-quill float, 

 fine stained gut-line, and a No. 2 or 3 hook (see p. 11). 



From 4 to 6 feet of water, where the current is of a 

 medium strength, is the best kind of Gudgeon swim, 

 and the depth should be plumbed accurately, so that the 

 bait may just " dribble" (not drag) along the bottom. 



