00 SIZE OF BARBEL. 



now, remembering what the stream was, I wonder how I 

 did <ucceed in landing him, as a fish so hooked, having his 

 broadside opposed to the water, has great power of resist- 

 ance. Indeed I consider that the accomplishment was 

 equal to killing a fish of double the weight, if fairly 

 hooked. The feat may sound incredible three hours and 

 a half with only a single horsehair, a fin-hooked fish, and 

 a heavy stream nevertheless it is strictly true. Had the 

 hold been in the mouth instead of the hard, tough fin, it 

 would probably have cut out in half the time. Now I 

 give this piece of advice to all anglers who may be fishing 

 from a punt with roach tackle, and who chance to hook a 

 big one and it is a wrinkle worth remembering. Let the 

 punt go from the poles and get below him if you can, 

 before he knows what he is about, so as to lead him down 

 stream as far from his hold (and big fish always have 

 one) as possible. For if you continue to play him about 

 the spot where you hooked him, sooner or later he will 

 make a bolt to his hold, when you .may wish him good- 

 bye. Therefore get him, if possible, to travel into a 

 strange country, when, if the bottom be fairly clear and 

 the grip good, you may easily reduce it to a question of 

 patience. 



The largest barbel I ever took or saw taken weighed a 

 little over twelve pounds, and was taken on the ledger 

 with lampern bait, as noted above. 



