THE BARBEL. 83 



applicable to the capture of that fish, and is preferable, tinder certain 

 conditions, to any other method, because of its extreme delicacy of 

 indication when a fish takes the bait. The best floats are either entirely 

 of cork or of swan or turkey quill cork, and of moderate size, for deep 

 and somewhat rapid streams, and quill for shallower and quieter 

 waters. 



In concluding this chapter on barbel fishing, I must impress upon my 

 readers the necessity of quietude and care when fishing especially with 

 the leger. Not only is it necessary to avoid violent movement in the 

 punt, but in my opinion the forcing in of the ryepeck for the purpose of 

 fixing the boat is often exceedingly prejudicial to the success of the day, 

 not unfrequently putting the fish completely off the feed. 



I am aware tbat I am perhaps rather fastidious, and there are few 

 anglers likely to give up the convenient ryepecks on this account, but 

 when it is considered that the grating of the iron point of the pole in the 

 gravel can be heard under water for at least a mile, what has been 

 said will appear worth attention. Owing to electrical causes chiefly, 

 all ground fish are at times nervous and shy, and it is at such periods that 

 the quietude referred to is most necessary. For the fixing of the boat, 

 my plan has been to lower from head and stern a heavy weight, and this 

 gradually, and with care. It will be found that there is little difficulty 

 about doing so, and the boat is just as stable. 



