60 BARBEL HAUNTS. 



means of a plummet or otherwise ; and, firstly, I shall 

 treat of float-fishing for barbel. The barbel's powerful 

 fins enable him to frequent the strongest and heaviest 

 streams ; and in these, if there be a ledge or a deep hole 

 or eddy in which he can rest, he will be found, and usually 

 with many friends in his company. Having discovered 

 his whereabouts, the next thing is to decide upon the 

 swim, and how to bait and fish it most advantageously. 

 There are many places which barbel affect, and where 

 the largest fish will often be found, which, owing to the 

 turbulence of the water, can only be fished with ledger 

 tackle ; but for the float choose a moderately sharp part 

 of the stream, as near the supposed hole as may conveni- 

 ently be. It should have a fairly level bottom without 

 large stones or other obstructions, and be of tolerably 

 equable depth, with a steady current and not too much 

 eddy or boil. If the float on the first trial be drowned 

 or sucked under, a heavier one, with a weighter set of 

 tackle, should be chosen. Eight or ten B B shots as 

 sinkers will fish most streams, but the lightest tackle 

 which the stream will carry is the best, provided the float 

 swims easily and steadily. It is advisable that the swim 

 should not be less than five feet in depth, nor for the 

 comfort and convenience of the angler should it be more 

 than from eight to ten, or the tackle will need to be heavy, 

 and the depth will be unmanageable for comfortable fish- 

 ing. Of course I am here referring to the choice of a 

 swim, and to ordinarily clear water. There are plenty of 

 cases where there is no choice, and the angler may be 

 obliged at times to fish in fifteen or twenty feet of water, 

 though the last is excessive and unusual. On the other 

 hand, if the water be heavy and coloured much with rain ? 

 he will sometimes get good fishing in three or four feet. 

 Having found out where there are barbel, and selected the 

 swim, all that the angler has to do is to bait the stream 



