CHAPTER IX. 



THE GABP. 



Habits and Haunts —Baits — Two Bays'* Carp-fishing — Float-fish- 

 ing — A Self-cocking Float — Legering. 



O fisli is found in tlie Britisli Isles wliicli has 

 a larger brain, or is more dij0&cnlt of capture, 

 or, strange to say, is more easily tamed, 

 than the common carp. In some waters, 

 indeed, in which these fish abound, there 

 is no record of one having been caught by 

 the angler. A carefully-executed engraving 

 of the common carp will be found at the 

 commencement of this book. It has very large scales, one 

 long back fin, and a barbule hanging from each side of 

 its mouth. Its back and sides are a golden bronze, shading 

 to a yellowish- white on the belly; its fins are a dark brown. 

 In England, carp over I51b. are rarely taken by anglers, 

 but specimens are occasionally netted weighing 201b. and 

 over. On the Continent it very much exceeds that weight, 

 even going to double. In Germany carp-culture is carried on 

 as a business, and the fish bred are fairly good eating ; but the 

 common, undomesticated English carp is a horrid fish, so far as 

 its edible qualities are concerned. Gold and silver fish are species 

 of carp; they are easily caught with roach-tackle and baits. 



Carp spawn in May or June, and soon get into condition. 

 They are found more commonly in lakes and ponds than in 

 rivers. In still waters their haunts are soon discovered, as 

 they swim, or lie, close to the surface when not feeding, and are 



