76 BOTTOM OR FLOAT-FISHING. 



successful. As liver gentles are the best general 

 bait for the hook, so carrion gentles are the best 

 ground-bait both for Roach and Rudd. In ponds 

 and still waters they should be used alone, or at 

 any rate mixed with nothing heavier than wet 

 bran ; but in running waters, unless in eddies or 

 the gentlest currents, soaked bread or meal should 

 be added, without which it is very difficult to regu- 

 late with any degree of nicety the point at which 

 they will reach the ground. The stronger and 

 deeper the stream the stiffer should be the mix- 

 ture. If gentles in sufficient abundance cannot be 

 obtained, the above ground baits, singly or in 

 combination, are the best substitutes. Meal by 

 itself, or mixed with boiled rice, makes a very fair 

 ground bait for streams, as it possesses the requisite 

 consistency arid weight for withstanding the action 

 of the water ; chewed bread-crumb is also a by 

 no means contemptible substitute in ponds and 

 lighter waters. If possible, it is better to bait the 

 place it is proposed to fish beforehand ; and on 

 this point, the principle laid down under the head 

 of Barbel and Bream fishing should be observed. 

 Roach being both smaller eaters and commonly 



