124 ANGLING FOR COARSE FISH. 



many of our rivers and brooks, and in a few ponds and lakes. 

 It somewhat resembles tlie gudgeon in size and colour, but bas 

 not the transparent appearance of that excellent little fish. Its 

 nose, also, is much more pointed, and its mouth is adorned with 

 six to ten feelers, or barbules. It is easily captured, the modus 

 operandi being to turn over a stone, and catch the shy little fish 

 with the hand, or in a hand-net, or by means of a fork, on which 

 latter method Mr. Blackmore has written charmingly in " Lorna 

 Doone." Loaching requires a certain amount of activity, and 

 is not a suitable amusement for middle-aged gentlemen of 

 majestic proportions. When the stone is turned over, the loach 

 wriggles rather than swims to antoher hiding place, and if the 

 loacher fails in his first attempt, the loach generally gives him 

 a second opportunity. When loach lie under flat-bottomed 

 stones, a tap with a hammer on the top of the stone will often 

 stun the loach, and conduce to his capture. I have heard that 

 loach may be taken with float tackle and a worm, but have 

 never tried the experiment. Loach are most excellent eating, 

 and are one of the best spinning baits for salmon and large 

 trout. 



The Ruffe, or Pope, is a sweet-eating little fish, which rarely 

 exceeds 3oz. or 4oz. in weight. It is a member of the perch 

 family, and is shaped almost exactly like the common perch, but 

 is marked and coloured very much like a gudgeon. It takes the 

 usual perch baits with avidity, and may be easily taken on 

 light gudgeon-tackle baited with worms. It will usually be 

 found in more quiet swims than those frequented by gudgeon, 

 and rather on the edge of the stream than in it. When caught, 

 it should be handled with care, as the gill-covers are pointed, 

 and can inflict unpleasant wounds. It gives off a nasty slime 

 when handled. Pope are river fish, but are occasionally found 

 in lakes. 



The Miller's Thumb, or Bullhead, is a monstrosity among 

 fresh-water fish, four-fifths of its body being a flat, sprawling 

 head, likened, probably, to the miller's thumb because that useful 

 member of the man of flour is supposed to spread from con- 

 stantly feeling samples of meal. Miller's thumbs (the fish) are 

 found principally under stones in rivers and brooks, and. 



