292 THE FLOUNDER, 



The Flounder. 



There is one fish I had nearly forgotten to make mention of, 

 which is the flounder or fluke ; which although properly speaking a 

 sea fish, yet is often found to wander a considerable distance up 

 the fresh waters, where it remains till it attains a considerable 

 size : frequently as much as two or three pounds. It bites freely 

 at worms, but the largest are usually caught with a minnow ; it , 

 always feeds near the bottom, and should be fished for there. 



When hooked, from the peculiar form of the body it is extreme- 

 ly difficult to raise one of even a hand's breadth suddenly to the 

 surface ; therefore inexperienced anglers, if they get hold of one 

 of these fishes, fancy they have a perfect monster at their hook, 

 and as they frequently break their tackle in trying to haul the fish 

 out by main force, are never undeceived. But if a flounder, in- 

 stead of being attempted to be lifted up, be drawn steadily along 

 it may very easily be brought to land. 



Although the flounders wander so far from the sea, they are 

 most abundant within the influence of the tide, and the best time 

 for taking them is during its rise, at which time they prowl 

 eagerly about in search of food, and are seldom found to reject 

 either a worm or a minnow that is placed within their reach. 

 But after high water I have generally found them bite less eagerly, 

 never taking half so many on the ebb tide, as during the flood. 



But before I conclude I cannot allow the 



Miller's Thumb, Bull Head, or Tommy Loggie 



To pass me by without acknowledging my acquaintance with him, 

 which has been of many years standing, though we have never 

 been on any very strict terras of intimacy. I am however com- 

 pelled to admit that his appearance is far from prepossessing ; for 

 his head is large, round, and of a toadlike form, with a wide]gaping 

 mouth ; whilst the blue pupils of the eyes produce a much more 

 singular than pleasing effect. As for the rest of his body it is of rather 

 a cylindrical shape; the upper part is brown, covered with minute dark 



