THE ROACH. 



This is a handsome, game little fellow, but perhaps the coarsest 

 fish that swims in fresh water. Roach fishers are, however, very 

 numerous, and increasing every year. In fact, I believe there 

 are more anglers of this fish than of any other, and he certainly 

 affords good sport, and it requires no small amount of skill to 

 take him ; but there is not one out of ten who angle for him 

 that fishes in the right style, and with the proper tackle. Many 

 think that anything will catch Roach, but they generally find out 

 their mistake. 



Roach spawn at the latter end of May, and deposit their 

 spawn on the top of weeds in shallow water. I have frequently 

 seen them in hundreds, I might say thousands, together, with 

 their back fins above the water, spawning on the top of weeds. 

 I have often watched them in shoals repairing to the spawning 

 ground, and fighting against strong currents until they had 

 found a suitable place. Roach are very quick over their work, 

 three or four fine days taking them away from their spawning 

 places. They then seek a shallow stream with a gravelly 

 bottom to scour themselves, and at this time, if you have a mind, 

 you may whip at them with the fly and catch any quantity, for 

 they will rise eagerly. I have frequently caught three and four 

 with one cast. It matters little what sort of fly you fish with, 

 they seem to take one as readily as another. All fish more or 

 less become stupified at the spawning season, but on the first 



