DOGFISH, DORY, FLOTTNDEE, AND GARFISH. 99 



Lngworms ; peeled, unboiled slirimps ; and mussels, are the best 

 baits, and ragworms are also taken freely. 



Tlie Dogfish is tbe hete noir of tbe band-line fisber. In 

 shape it is like a small shark. It has a spine in its tail, which 

 inflicts a nasty and sometimes a poisonous wound. It takes any 

 bait, is absolutely worthless when caught, and no one dreams 

 of fishing for it. Large ones drive other fish away. 



Dory. — This curious-looking fish is not often taken by 

 the angler. It is, in shape, somewhat like a flat fish set on edge, 

 has a lantern-jawed kind of head, and is of a golden olive- 

 brown coloui*. It takes a live bait, and also a spinning bait, 

 but the latter rarely. It is never specially fished for, but 

 when one is seen, an endeavour should be made to catch it, for 

 it is most excellent eating. The best plan is to put any small 

 live fish on a hook, and get it, by float-tackle or di*ift-line, in 

 front of the dory, which will probably take it. 



The Flonnder is a flat fish, usually of small size, which is 

 found mostly in harbours and estuaries, and sometimes pushes 

 its way up into perfectly fresh water. Of late years a number 

 have been placed in the Thames by the Thames Angling 

 Preservation Society, above Teddington, where they appear to 

 do well. Many are taken in the Canterbuiy Stour, where the 

 water is not even brackish. They may be known from the 

 dab by their smooth backs, and they lack the clear appearance 

 of their little cousin. Leger tackle, with two or more hooks, 

 is best suited for them, and the best baits are soft crab, rag- 

 worms, shrimps, and lugworms. The first-named is to be pre- 

 ferred. In fresh or brackish water they take earthworms. 

 They are in best condition during the winter and early spring. 



The Garfish, Sea Pike, Longnose, Snipe Eel, or Sea 

 Needle, is a long, slender fish, of greenish hue, with a bill not 

 unlike that of a snipe, along which are rows of sharp teeth. 

 It is a deep-sea fish, but comes inshore during the summer, 

 and is usually found with shoals of mackerel. It is taken with 

 mackerel lines and baits. Though edible, it is not good eating. 

 It varies in length from 18in. to 4ft., and is a fine bait for 

 whiting. 



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