BARBEL AND BREAM. 67 



differs of course according to the circumstances of 

 each individual case, is a matter often requiring 

 both nicety and judgment, upon the display of 

 which the success of the bottom fishing will in a 

 great degree depend. 



The Barbel spawn in May or June, and as soon 

 as they have recovered a little strength, make their 

 way into the swiftest streams they can find, such as 

 weirs, mill-tails, &c., to scour and brace themselves ; 

 beginning to get into condition again in a few 

 weeks, and being in the best season for the angler 

 until September or October, when the frosty nights 

 drive them from the streams and shallows into the 

 deeper waters. Here they will be found until the 

 spring ; and in these quiet deeps and eddies they 

 are to be caught, if anywhere, during the winter 

 months. At this period, however, especially if the 

 weather is very cold, it is of comparatively little 

 use to fish for Barbel, as they lie in a sort of 

 semi-torpid condition, and refuse to move. So 

 inanimate are they, that the fishermen not un- 

 frequently provide themselves with hoop landing- 

 nets, which they place near the fish, and with a 

 pole literally push them in ; and I have known 



