24 A BOOK ON ANGLING 



bread, and what not ; an occasional ball or two mixed up with 

 clay of about the size of a plum, is useful to keep the ground 

 baited ; but this is a very different thing from casting in 

 five or ten at a time, as big as large oranges. 



For casting in loose, in eddies, either gentles scalded 

 greaves, or chopped worms, may be used ; these baits are 

 likely to attract barbel to the swim also ; or any of the above- 

 named hook-baits, as bran (wetted) with ground barley, 

 boiled wheat, grains, rice boiled, or baker's raspings Some 

 anglers use bread, but I cannot bring myself to like this 

 plan it goes entirely against my grain to take a half-quartern 

 loaf and cast if to the fishes ; it smacks too much of taking 

 the children's bread and casting it to the dogs," and seems 

 to me too wholesale a waste. When used, it is soaked and 

 squeezed up with the bran ; but a handful or two of refuse 

 rice is a much better and handier bait. It is a very good plan 

 to damp the bran slightly, and mixing with a handful or two 

 of pollard or meal and a little rice, to squeeze it, and work 

 it lightly together over a small pebble into balls about 

 size of large plums. This can be used instead of the clay bait, 

 when the stream is only moderately rapid ; it breaks directly 

 it touches the bottom, and scatters all over the swim ; but as 

 it is soon swept away, a small ball now and then of clay, as 

 recommended above, is advisable. If fishing with paste a 

 few pellets thrown in now and then near the float, will 

 found advisable. Other anglers use bullock's brains as a 

 ground-bait ; but as it seems that it is necessary to chew 

 them raw a process my gorge rises at the thought 

 have never tried them. In the midland counties, however, 

 particularly on the Trent, the bait is in great request, and is 

 called by anglers " pith." But if gentles, greaves, worms, 

 pearl barley, rice, and paste fail, the angler may very reason- 

 ably give up fishing. Although roach are not supposed to be 

 fish-eaters, I have often seen and heard of their running at 

 and taking a spinning bait ; but I look upon such fact 

 mere aberrations. 



THE RUDD (Leuciscus Erythrophthalmus) 

 is a widely distributed fish, being found in many lakes, ponds, 

 and rivers throughout the kingdom. The Norfolk Broads 

 contain great quantities of them, as do some of the Irish 

 lakes. I have taken large numbers in Osterly Park. They are 



