LAKB AND POND FISHING. 127 



land, as also in some of the great lakes in Cumberland ; but as 

 far as I can learn, it is not found in any of those in the midland or 

 southern counties. 



The flesh of this fish does not like the salmon acquire the beau- 

 tiful pink colour, being more of a yellow orange cast ; nor is it 

 considered in flavour equal to the common trout, but the fact is, 

 the flavour is a totally diflerent one When eating therefore a fish 

 of this kind, you must neither expect to find the flavour of a trout 

 or salmon, but one peculiar to the fish itself, which is the only way 

 to do justice to its edible merits. What man would relish a red 

 mullet, if he expected it to have the flavour of a trout or a 

 salmon ? 



But to return again to the pond, which I cannot take my depar- 

 ture from till I have said a little about bait fishing, which is a good 

 way, take it for all in all, for catching fish there, as either fly fish- 

 ing or trolling. The best bait is a worm, though in some watera 

 preserved salmon spawn will answer equally well. In bait fishing 

 in a pond for trout, you may use two or three rods, either with or 

 without a float : you should select such places for casting in as 

 are most free from weeds. I have almost invariably found the 

 spots the cattle are in the habit of resorting to, the most depend- 

 ing places as well for bait fishing as the fly. So if you chance to 

 arrive at a strange pond and see the cattle occupying any part of 

 it, you have only to drive them ashore, and you have the best spot 

 you could possibly have chosen. Fish have no fear of cattle be- 

 yond that of being trodden on by them, and therefore should the 

 latter kick up a little splash in being driven ashore, there is no 

 fear even if the fish are forced away for the time, but that they 

 will speedily return again. 



In ponds where the bottom is clear, being quite free from weeds 

 or large stones to intercept the hook, I have found it a good plan 

 to make a very long cast, throwing out as far as I possibly could, 

 my line being baited with a single worm in the way pointed out 

 by honest Izaak,* and tolerably heavily leaded if the water is deep, 

 After letting it rest for about five minutes, my plan is to draw it 

 almost at a snail's pace over the bottom, taking care to give line 

 when I feel a bite, and in this way I have taken many fish, when 

 with a line close alongside I had allowed to lay ledger, I was 



*See ante p. 114. 



