78 BOTTOM OR FLOAT-FISHING. 



The tackle and methods of Roach fishing are 

 those already described in the general remarks on 

 Tackle and Nottingham fishing, the last-named 

 being preferable ; and in either case it is of the ut- 

 most importance that the tackle and line used 

 should be of the finest. A long, light, stiffish rod 

 is most convenient, and many Roach fishers keep 

 a rod expressly for the purpose, made of light 

 East India cane, or bamboo. For gentles and 

 paste a No. 3 or 4 hook will be found the most 

 convenient size, a very small piece (about the six- 

 teenth of an inch) of the shank end being nipped 

 off. If the gentles are large, four will be found 

 the best number to bait the above hooks with. 

 They should be made into a " bunchy" looking 

 bait, by the hook being passed through the first 

 three gentles laterally, or across, about the middle. 

 If threaded up to the hook in the more usual way 

 the gentles follow its curve, and form a suspicious- 

 looking half-circle of bodies. The point of the 

 hook should be entirely concealed in the fourth 

 gentle, so that when complete no part of the hook 

 should be seen. 



The bait should swim three or four inches clear 



