92 SPORT IN EUROPE 



is found in the Meuse and its tributaries, and is said to grow to 

 a weioht of six to eioht kilos.* The tackle must therefore be 

 strono-, and the fish should be sought in the disturbed waters near 

 falls or mill streams, where the angler has to strike hard and play 

 this powerful fish with care. Barbel are also taken on ground lines. 

 The bream, a fish of only moderate size (three to four kilos.), is 

 plentiful in the Lys, the favourite bait being Gruyere cheese. The 

 pike occurs in all our rivers, and may be looked for just below 

 the mouth of any little tributary. A swivel is used on the line, 

 and the bait is any small and lively fish. Personally, I regard 

 striking a pike as very necessary, but some differ from this view. 



(In Holland, by the way, the Canal of Verneugen is 



C^03,rs6 



^. , . famous for its pike, and may also be commended to 



Fishing, ^ ^ 



the wild-fowler whenever the weather is too rough for 

 punting.) The spoon bait is found to answer well in disturbed 

 water. The carp (four species) is fairly common in Belgium, and 

 is caught by the same methods as in England. The cat-fish, the 

 fiesh of which is thought highly of, was introduced into our waters 

 some years ago, though its spawning there seems still a matter of 

 doubt. Personally, I never had the good luck to catch one of 

 these rarities. The chub is found in all our running waters, and 

 is so voracious that it seems to take almost any bait and to feed 

 at all times. Its weight may be anything up to six kilos. The 

 ide occurs in the running waters of the Scheldt, the Lys and the 

 Dendre. Besides the commoner dark kind, there is also a red 



* i.e. 13 to 17 lbs. These are the reputed weights of Meuse barbel, and I give them from 

 the article. — Ed, 



