34 



THE JOLLY ANGLER. 



large balls. The best baits for Barbel are greaves and 

 gentles, but if the water is a little coloured, a small well- 

 scoured marsh or red worm, is as good. These fish feed 

 most towards evening; observe they always lie close to 

 the ground when feeding, so that it is in vain to expect to 

 catch one if your bait does not touch the bottom. 



THE CARP 



Is a handsome fish, of a golden hue, growing commonly 

 to 6 or 81bs. some much larger ; it is a native of still 

 waters, though they are occasionally caught in rivers, 

 where they are carried by floods, or the breaking down of 

 sluices, pond heads, &c. (as are some Tench and Rudd,) in 

 which case they thrive well, and eat finer and fatter than 

 the pond Carp, but do not breed. I never saw any of the 

 small fry of Carp in rivers, unless deep slow weedy ones, 

 that are in parts quite still; in fact, the large ones are so 

 scarce that very few anglers think of angling expressly 

 for them. I have given it over years back, though not 

 without a fair trial ; none but a keen old sportsman can 

 contend against the amazing vigilance of this " fresh- 

 water fox ;" therefore I shall proceed at once to describe 

 their habits, food, &c. under the circumstances in which 

 they are usually met with, viz. in ponds and other still 

 waters, where there is a better chance of succeeding with 

 the rod and line: here you may fish for them during the 

 months of May, June, July, August, and September, the 

 former month being the best. They spawn in June, at 

 which time they are to be taken by the following means : 

 take a strong bamboo rod, with the stiff top, no winch ; 

 the line 2 yards of strong gut ; a quill float to carry 7 or 



