JUNE 99 



The hook should be, as stated, a No. 2, whipped on the 

 finest drawn gut, and the size of the shot pinched on 

 the hook varies with the speed the water is moving. 

 The best sport is undoubtedly got with large dace, but 

 the running line is necessary, as a trout, chub, perch, 

 or barbel, may at any moment take the bait. One 

 morning then, in the month of June or early July, we 

 catch the early morning train for the banks of the 

 Kennet, and make a comfortable breakfast at the inn 

 preparatory to setting out. 



With a little tin of bait, and a good brown straw hat 

 to protect us from the sun, we seek the river. Near 

 the commencement of the water a rustic bridge spans 

 the stream, which glides steadily under it. About 

 the centre it is 6ft. to 8ft. deep, and on the gravel 

 bottom, just above the bridge, wagging their tails 

 to keep their heads to stream, we see a fine shoal 

 of twenty or thirty dace. The heavy water necessi- 

 tates a large shot to carry the bait down quickly, so 

 on it goes, with its biggest half on the convex side of 

 the hook. Two cad-bait are extracted from their 

 shells by the simple method of breaking them across 

 and drawing out the inhabitant. The hook should 

 be entered just behind the thorax of the first, and 

 brought out nearly at the tail, and the head pulled 

 well up to conceal the shot as much as possible. 

 No. 2 should have the point of the hook buried 

 inside the body (see Fig. 29 B b). Now draw off 

 enough line to allow of the bait reaching the bottom, 

 and cast well up stream, standing on the bridge ; 

 the bait sinks, and is allowed to run with the stream 

 amongst the shoal of dace. The first fish it comes to 

 turns, but is not quick enough, and a fine fellow of, say 

 lOoz., just behind sees the movement and grabs the 

 bait as it runs by. A quick strike, and up at the surface 

 among the waving weeds you are fighting your first 

 dace. Remember the gut is gossamer and the hook but 

 small, and let him run a little or a smash ensues. After 

 you have landed your fish, re-bait, and let the tackle go 

 down again. This time perhaps a smaller fish rushes at 



