SEPTEMBER 149 



further, and that is the local rod. This consists of a 

 piece of natural bamboo of about 9ft. to 12ft. long, short 

 for ledgering and longer for float-fishing. It is roughly 

 fitted with upright rings, five or seven, and a good big 

 top-ring. For bream fishing it is undoubtedly the most 

 suitable weapon ; of course, the quality varies, but a good 

 rod ought to be light, about 1 Jin. diameter at the butt, 

 and taper at the point to the thickness of a lead pencil. 

 When once obtained, have it well varnished and ring- 

 fitted, keep it at the fishing, never lend it, and it will last 

 a lifetime. Its especial advantage for day ledgering 

 will be touched on later. 



Float-fishing on the lower reaches of the Ouse is not 

 much practised, owing to the great depth of the water, 

 but when adopted is a sort of modification of the old 

 system, but using much finer hooks, baits, and tackles. 



In many parts the brandling has entirely ousted the 

 lob-worm for hook bait during the summer months. The 

 modus operandi of night-fishing has often been explained 

 in angling books. Of night-ledgering little need be said, 

 save that as fish can be taken in fair numbers (a sackful 

 at a time) during the day in the same places, the writer 

 much prefers spending his nights in bed. 



For his night-fishing, however, the articles required 

 are the rod, preferably raw bamboo ; a running line, a 

 pipe-lead, like that used for jack live-bait tackle ; a No. 

 5 hook, fairly thick in the iron on an 8-in. hook-link; and 

 a yard of gut, on which the pipe-lead is threaded ledger 

 fashion with a shot nipped on eight inches from the 

 lower end. Ground-bait with bread, bran, greaves, and 

 meal, stirred into a lumpy mass. Place the ground- 

 bait in the river about seven in the evening, and begin 

 fishing at midnight, and fish till the fish stop biting. 

 Use for hook-bait, lob-worm. 



Light a dark lantern, and wait watching the point of 

 the rod. Don't strike till the line runs away, then lift 

 and hit hard in order to get the lead level with the fish, 

 which always rises on taking the bait. 



The new method, now very popular in the district, is 

 day-ledgering for bream. It was first practised at the 



