148 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



from a punt, as when reaching, using lob-worm for 

 bait. 



In this method the tackle used should be little stronger 

 than that in ordinary use for the roach, but it is well to 

 use a larger hook, and to give the fish very much more 

 time. 



Long-corking is also recommended, but I have been 

 unable to gain any practical information on this subject. 



The system of float-fishing adopted on the rivers of 

 Norfolk and Sussex are nearly identical, though the 

 tackle in use is slightly different. On the Yare and 

 Bure, at Cantley, Buckenham, Reedham, and Acle, the 

 float-fisher works from a punt, using a long, stout rod, 

 with reel and running line, a 2yd. length of gut, a No. 6 

 hook, plenty of shot, scattered equally down the line, a 

 heavy goose-quill float, made fast at the lower end only, 

 and an undressed silk running-line. He baits with lobs, 

 and uses plenty of ground-bait, of greater or lesser 

 degrees of beastliness. 



The Arun and Avon fisherman is frequently a 

 Londoner, who uses his roach pole and tackle, and 

 sometimes, after a hard fight, brings his three or four- 

 pounder to net. Frequently, alas ! the victory is to the 

 bream, who swims triumphantly away with a portion of 

 cherished bottom tackle, the top-joint of a favourite 

 Sowerbutts sometimes being included. Here I am 

 inclined to think that the angler would be well advised 

 if he adopted the running tackle of the Norfolk bream 

 fisher. 



And now it only remains to explain the methods 

 used on the king of bream waters, the slow, deep, 

 weedy Ouse, which winds its way through seven of 

 the counties of England. Here time was when the pike- 

 float, the haddock-hook, and the garden-worm accounted 

 for tons of fine fish, but that day is gone. I say " day " 

 advisedly, for this tackle will still, when the fish are 

 madly on the feed, take bream during the night. The 

 average night-fisher nowadays uses something better in 

 the way of bottom tackle. 



One thing must here be mentioned before going 



