FISHING AT A DISTANCE. 73 



barbel are rather smaller as a general rule than the 

 Thames fish, and the biggest of all are probably to 

 be found in the Kennet. 



Two other fish for whose capture one or other of 

 the methods described is usually employed deserve 

 a few words. They are carp and tench. Large 

 carp are about the most difficult fish to beguile of 

 all that swim. Attaining a great age, they pre- 

 sumably also attain great experience, andjn some 

 waters they seem to be practically invincible. 

 Though they are to be found here and there in 

 most slow-flowing rivers, they are primarily lake or 

 pond fish, and they grow certainly up to 25lb., 

 possibly to more. A ten-pounder is a big one from 

 the angler's point of view. In angling for them one 

 has to take principally into account their extreme 

 subtlety, and their unwillingness to bite if they see 

 the least cause for suspicion. The fisherman can- 

 not be too quiet or too inconspicuous, and, within 

 reason, he can scarcely be too far away from his 

 bait. 



There is the further difficulty that they are 

 partial to very weedy spots from which only 

 uncommonly strong gut could drag them when 

 hooked ; and they much prefer very fine gut. 

 They are also powerful fish with greater activity 

 than would be supposed from their shape, which is 



