CHAP. xiii. Professional Diners Out. 205 



and then suddenly ravenous on a change of weather, a fisherman's 

 wife remarked that it was very lucky the gentlemen were not the 

 same, or it would be very difficult to cater. 



I have come to the conclusion that the bite varies much more 

 with the weather than with the place being much fished; indeed, 

 I doubt if the latter has anything to do with it in the case of these 

 particular fish. If anything much fishing rather benefits these adept 

 thieves than otherwise. Just look at the amount of bait that is given 

 them gratis by one of your promiscuous fishermen, who fishes not 

 specially, as for Labeo, but as if all fish were alike, and all paste bait 

 fishing the same. I have seen such an one getting splendid oppor- 

 tunities, but persisting in fishing as if for roach. Of course the fish 

 were having a rare old time of it stealing his bait, and like so many 

 professional diners-out, getting their dinner for nothing. Like them 

 too, doubtless, if we only knew, they complacently recall its quality : 

 " The soup was good, the fish was good, the entrees were good, the 

 joint was good, everything was good, the liquor, etc., etc., but the host 

 was an ass." The percentage of fish killed to fish fed is, with the 

 promiscuous man, very small. He thinks he is fishing, but practically 

 he is only ground baiting ! 



When choosing your place for ground baiting, especially if you 

 are going to have a stand erected, it is well to note whether the water 

 will be under the lee of the bank, so as to have the minimum of ripple, 

 and whether you will have the glint of the evening sun off the water 

 in your eyes. Both matters interfere with sport. If the wind or 

 the shade shifts in the course of the day, ground bait two places 

 on opposite sides of the reservoir. 



A Calcutta fisherman writes: "As regards a level bottom for fishing, 

 we obviate the difficulty by sending down a diver ; he takes four annas 

 and levels your ground." 



I have found my tackle-box very convenient for bottom fishing. 

 It is strongly made of f-in. teak planking, so as to form also a con- 

 venient seat at the same time as you have under you the means of 

 readily replacing breakages. You will find it in the Chapter on 

 Tackle. 



In striking I do not use only the wrist, as I might with trout 

 or roach, nor do I use only wrist and elbow ; but I strike with one 

 arm from the shoulder, simultaneously using the muscles and joints 



