66 THE RUDD. 



is the long one, or the top of it visbile if it is the round one 

 recommended), m.ust be placed directly under, and touch- 

 ing, the float and each other, so that there is no shot be- 

 tween those touching the float and the hook. This gives 

 the angler weight enough to cast the proper distance, and 

 yet the bait sinks very slowly. The self-cocking float, as 

 recommended in the chapter on roach, might perhaps be 

 used in certain localities with considerable success, but I 

 find, as a general rule, that this float is not bulky enough 

 nor weighty enough tO' cast clean and easily the long dis - 

 tance required in rudd fishing. The distance between the 

 float and the hook need not be more than fromi eighteen 

 inches to two feet under any circumstances, while in very 

 weedy, shallow places, a foot will be found ample. It will 

 be a good plan to have two or three main gut lines shotted 

 at various distances from the bottom, loop, so that a change 

 can be easily effected should the nature of the swim, warrant 

 such a change. A boat is almost a necessity in rudd fish- 

 ing, as it is imperative to fish over the weeds, and at the 

 back of the rush-beds and flags. A bait can be easily 

 thrown over them, but in recovering the line for a fresh cast 

 the hook is liable tO' catch in the weeds. Besides, if a good 

 fish is hooked, you cannot keep himi fromi darting towards 

 you, and once under the weeds it will be impossible to land 

 him ; your chance is all the better if you have some open 

 water between the fish and yourself. Hence, a boat is 

 best, and, if possible, fish down stream. An iron two-stone 

 weight, attached to a stout cord, will do by way of an an- 

 chor. Drop the boat carefully down stream till you see a 

 place that looks suitable, keep as far away from the fish, 

 towards the opposite side, as you can throw nicely, then 

 slip the weight quietly overboard, and when it reaches the 

 bottom fasten the' cord tightly to the side or the seat ; pull 

 down the line between the rings of the rod, and make the 

 cast as described in Chapter IV. 



It is not advisable to try long in one place if you don't 

 very soon get a response. Pull up the weight and shift a 

 few yards lower down, till you do find themi at home, and 

 if you do succeed in getting a good one, you may reason- 

 ably expect more, as these fish generally swim in small 



