70 BOTTOM OR FLOAT-FISHING. 



hook should be a size or two smaller, say a No. 8 ; 

 the worm itself, the tail of which is to be used, 

 should be also rather slenderer, or a whole worm of 

 a smaller description, or gentles may be sub- 

 stituted. The float also should be lighter, and the 

 tackle generally more like that recommended for 

 Roach. Broken worms, and carrion gentles mixed 

 with wet bran, are the two best pond ground baits 

 for Bream that I am acquainted with. Only a 

 small quantity should be thrown in at a time, and 

 with intervals after the first few castings, of not 

 less than five minutes. Bream are almost in- 

 variably found in large shoals, so that if they are 

 once attracted to a spot, they will consume more 

 ground bait without danger of surfeit than either 

 Barbel or Roach. 



The largest Carp Bream I ever saw weighed five 

 pounds and some ounces, but specimens are on 

 record which have nearly doubled this weight. 

 The average "run" of Bream differs very much 

 in different waters. It thrives best in large open 

 lakes, and in slow rivers alternating with " broads'* 

 or lagoon-like reaches. 



Bream spawn in May, and after scouring for a 



