THE BARBEL. 201 



to be that you are trying for, and in such a manner that he may 

 see nothing of that part of the transaction, which would most 

 probably arouse his suspicions and cause him to reject a bait he 

 would otherwise have taken. The bait must be allowed to drift 

 onwards as if merely impelled by the force of the current, and kept 

 just clear of the bottom, taking care at the same time that it does 

 not come in contact with any weeds, stumps, and other impediments, 

 always letting the bait be carried on foremost and ahead of the 

 leaded part of the line. When a bite is perceived, you must 

 gather in the slack, but in such a manner as not in the slightest 

 degree to increase the strain upon the fish ; and having your reel 

 all free, strike dexterously with a twitch, for a pull would endang- 

 er your tackle, as unless a barbel is a very small one, you will not 

 move him from the bottom, and with the sudden dead strain of a 

 continued pull something or other must give way. You must also, 

 as far you can with safety, use sufficient force to keep the fish 

 well under command, keeping your butt well up ; and do your ut- 

 most to prevent him from running under the weeds, as among piles 

 stumps, or the like, which if there are any at hand he will most 

 probably make for ; and, if your way is clear, take the first oppor- 

 tunity you can of leading him down stream, keeping him going at 

 it, not allowing him to turn and bolt under the weeds, which if he 

 once gets well under, and the weeds are strong, your chance of 

 getting him out again is a very small one. On this account it re- 

 quires great art and skill to overcome a lusty barbel in weedy 

 waters, as unluckily most are in which those fishes are 

 found. 



Where the bottom is clear a barbel is not a difficult fish to con- 

 quer, if you are not too hasty with him : the great danger is the 

 first struggle and rush, though frequently he will try to hold his 

 own at the bottom ; yet a continued steady pull, keeping the rod 

 in play, will sooner or later tire him out, and you need never be 

 in any apprehension about the hold giving way, if the hook has onc e 

 fixed itself in his leather mouth. In the more tranquil pools the 

 bait may be allowed to remain stationary, in which case you must 

 keep a watchful eye on your line or float if you use one, being rea- 

 dy to advance and lay hold of the rod the moment you see a bite, 

 proceeding in the same manner as when angling for carp or 

 bream. 



The best of all baits for the barbel is a well scoured lob worm, 

 cc 



