THE BARBEL 33 



The scales of chub, as well as those of bleak, were formerly 

 valuable for the nacre upon them to the artificial pearl-makers, 

 but a better substitute has long rendered them valueless. 



It is but seldom the angler would either spin or use a live 

 bait for chub, as their taking it is rather the exception than 

 the rule, though they do take both spinning and live baits 

 at times. Besides cheese and greaves for bottom baits, chub 

 are very partial to various grubs and caterpillars, to the black 

 slug, to snails, gentles, and worms. The chub likes a large 

 and fat mouthful, so that the hook may be well covered. 



I always look upon the chub with somewhat of veneration ; 

 for was it not that historical chub, that chub Dagon in fact, 

 with the white spot on his tail, that was the first fish that 

 introduced me to old Izaak ? I trow it was, and well do I 

 remember, although so many years have passed away, how 

 from that chub I devoured the work to the end. Venator and 

 Auceps I cared nought for. I care nothing for them now. 

 They were simple nuisances ; they are excrescences, wens, 

 which should be cut off. Indeed, I doubt if ever I waded 

 through their conversations. 



THE BARBEL (Barbus vulgaris) 



So named from the barbs or wattles that depend from the 

 sides of the mouth. It is a coarse, watery, flavourless, bony 

 fish, and of little value for the table unless it be used as stock 

 for fish-soup. Albeit I have seen fishermen eat them, first, 

 however, splitting them down the back, and taking out the 

 backbone. Barbel spawn in May or June, and get into con- 

 dition about the end of July, before which time, therefore, 

 they ought to be spared by the angler. Bottom-fishing 

 commences on the Thames in June, and numbers of barbel 

 are often caught in a gravid state. I have seen them captured 

 at that time, when the spawn and milt was running from 

 them at the slightest pressure. The barbel is gregarious, and 

 is a widely distributed fish, being found in abundance in many 

 of the Continental rivers. It abounds also in the Crimea. 

 With us it is seldom found to reach above sixteen pounds in 

 weight, and one of twelve pounds, though not very uncommon, 

 is not taken every day. The barbel, from the size of its fins and 

 its powerful muscles, affords great sport, the sport being much 

 enhanced by the very fine tackle which is often employed in 

 his capture ; and a day's good barbel-fishing with fine float 



