ROACH AND RUDD. 79 



of the bottom in rivers, and in ponds at from about 

 eight inches to a foot from the ground, according 

 to the depth. The best depth for a river Roach 

 swim is usually from five to seven feet, over a 

 gravelly or sandy bottom, and the best time to 

 strike a bite is just when the top of the float is 

 disappearing, or is held for a moment level with 

 the top of the water. In order to strike effectually 

 it is advisable to fish with a short line, and the 

 float as nearly under the point of the rod as 

 possible. A violent and sudden darting away of 

 the float usually indicates the bite of a small fish, 

 which is generally missed. A heavy Roach rarely 

 makes any great demonstration, but after one 

 or .two preliminary "bobs," quietly takes the float 

 down. 



All the foregoing observations on Roach fishing 

 apply equally to fishing for Rudd. 



Roach and Rudd will both take a fly occasionally 

 in hot weather, and when basking at the surface. 

 Any small black fly will take if the fish will : but 

 the latter occurrence is so uncertain that fly-fishing 

 for Roach cannot be recommended under ordinary 

 circumstances. 



