20 THE JOLLY ANGLER. 



fish, seldom growing above two inches in length ; they 

 rank high as a bait for Trout and Perch, (use the silvery 

 bright ones in preference to the big-bellied yellow ones.) 

 I have caught Jack with them, and frequently Chub, but 

 I do not recommend them as a bait when angling for 

 Chub or Jack, unless there are Perch or Trout in the 

 river. To catch Minnows, use as many joints of your 

 bag rod, with the fine top, as will reach the spot where they 

 lie; then put on a single hair line, about two yards long, 

 with a very small float, carrying only one or two small 

 shot, with the smallest sized hook, and half a red worm, 

 a blood worm, or one gentle for the bait ; put your float 

 so as the bait may pass near or on the ground, then drop 

 your bait in gently on the shallows near mill tails, or any 

 other eddy where there is a gravelly bottom, and strike the 

 moment they bite; put them in your kettle as soon as 

 caught, by which means you may keep them alive till 

 you want them for baits ; you may often catch Gudgeons 

 when trying for Minnows. 



THE LOACH 



has wattles, or barbs to his jaws, and is something like a 

 Barbel in miniature, both in form and habits; its colour 

 similar to that of the Gudgeon, but not so bright; in size 

 it rather exceeds the Minnow ; it is found in shallow places 

 near the banks of rivers, generally keeping to one spot, 

 lying close to the ground. The means used for catching 

 them are the same as described for the Minnow, with this 

 exception, your bait should be a small worm, and drag 

 on the ground. They are not very plentiful, but are 

 highly extolled for their virtues as a bait for Eels on 

 night lines. An acquaintance of mine used to take great 

 pains to catch them for that purpose. 



