34 THE ROACH. 



line through the water is a token of bad striking, 

 as is the pulling of the line completely out. 



If the fish be missed, the bait should travel on 

 as if nothing particular had happened ; the clumsy 

 fish that has missed his mark is well entitled to 

 another turn, or perhaps some greedy companion 

 may snatch the envied morsel from him. 



Roach spawn towards the end of May, later than 

 the gudgeon. They are in season from July to 

 January, perhaps later, but it is cold work fishing 

 for them in November, which is the best month. 

 Up to October the gentle is the most taking bait : 

 two or three should be put on the hook together, 

 and frequently changed, for when dead and flabby 

 they cease to be attractive. In default of gentles, 

 which are not always obtainable, bread-paste, 

 kneaded up with wool to make it tenacious, is 

 perhaps the best bait. A piece about as big as a 

 pea should be stuck on to the hook by a single 

 movement ; it does not do to manipulate it after it 

 is once fixed. For winter-fishing a small red worm 

 is the most enticing lure, and when the Thames is 

 flooded, great quantities are taken with this bait by 

 the fishermen, who then, poor fellows ! are exercis- 

 ing their craft on their own account. 



The worst of roach-fishing is, that the roach 

 himself, when taken, is utterly useless, except 



