THE DACE. 107 



numberless other " wrinkles," by which I have since profited, amongst 

 them the wonderful effectiveness of the blow-line when properly used. 

 When my first essay with it was made I, a boy of ten I recollect the 

 thrill of the struggling dace, like an electric current, which permeated 

 my embryo angler soul. And that night my Telemachus hooked a trout 

 with the very tackle with which I caught my dace ! I have known him 

 catch four and five dozen dace in an evening, using the blow-line. 



I cannot forbear this tribute to the memory of my teacher, and I trust 

 the general reader will forgive me the reader who recognises the original 

 will, I know. Poor old gentleman ! he died of a terrible disease cancer 

 ill in accordance with his peaceful pursuits. 



I do not know that it is of any use to ground bait for dace. Perhaps^ 

 when bottom fishing, however, it is as well to throw in a few broken 

 worms which have been rolled in silver sand, and brewer's grains will have 

 an attractive influence on the fish occasionally. The dace is a mid-water 

 fish to all intents and purposes, and as such must be treated. The chief 

 thing is to know where to find him. Ground bait is, therefore, only question- 

 ably useful. 



One word as to his gastronomical locus standi. The Jews esteem him, 

 so much so, indeed, as to give as much as .1 a hundred on special occa- 

 sions. For my own part, cooked like smelts, I think they are by na 

 means to be despised for the breakfast table. 



