THE ROACH. 37 



as I have killed good roach in two feet of water, and also 

 found them in any depth of swim between that ano twelve 

 feet. The other class of water I referred to is nanals, 

 drains or cuts of no very great width, water exceedi.ag still 

 and quiet and ranging from four to eight feet deep; such 

 waters, for instance, as are to be found in the Fens ol Lin- 

 colnshire. For the former waters, or stream fishing, the 

 plan that is known as the Nottingham style is the best; 

 while for the latter, or drain fishing, where there is no 

 stream at all, the plan that is sometimes called the Sheffield 

 style must be adopted. These two styles differ widely in 

 their character; but still, when we come to examine them 

 closely, they have features in common. This may sound 

 somewhat queer, but I will endeavour tO' explain my meal- 

 ing. In the first place, the rod, reel and line for both 

 styles can be identical; what is suited for stream fishing 

 will do very well for the drain. It is the float and tackle, 

 and the details of using them, that constitute the difference. 

 For stream fishing, the float must be a moderate-sized one, 

 carrying a fair comiplement of split-shot on the gut bottom. 

 This is in order to swim down the current, and to keep the 

 bait as near the bottomi of the river as possible all the way 

 down the full length of the angler's swim; for it must be 

 remembered that a very small float, and scarcely any shot 

 on the tackle, would result in drowning the float, and in 

 addition the bait would work up nearer the surface of the 

 stream than desirable, and the angler's object would be 

 utterly defeated. In fishing the drain, on the other hand, 

 the float can hardly be too small, a tiny porcupine quill 

 carrying a couple of very small shot being about the big- 

 gest weight that is required ; indeed, I have seen good 

 roachers in some ot the Fen drams usmg a float made from 

 a crow's wing feather that has been very little, if any, larger 

 than a wax match. 



I hinted just now that the rod for both these styles of 

 roach fishing could be identical — -what will do for one will 

 do very well for the other ; and this rod miust have twO' or 

 three decided characteristics : it must be light, well- 

 balanced, stiff", and above all must have a quick and sharp 

 strike direct from the point. The long roach rod described 



