ROVING FOR BARBEL. 69 



here no need to draw off line in the left hand as in dace- 

 fishing. In roving for barbel the process is similar to that 

 for roach and dace, but larger worms are used, and the tail 

 of a nice lively lob is placed upon a hook some two or 

 three sizes larger. Eoving for barbel is not often resorted 

 to if the angler can manage to bait a pitch the day before. 

 Indeed, in order to increase the chance of sport, it is not 

 unusual to bait two or three days before and to repeat the 

 baitings at some twenty or twenty-four hours' interval two 

 or three times. 



It will often happen that the hole or swim to be fished 

 is some distance from the shore, and is deeper than can be 

 conveniently cast from the rod deeper, perhaps, than the 

 length of the rod. When this is the case a float called ' a 

 slider ' is used. The slider, as may be supposed from its 

 name, is not a fixed float ; it has a ring at the top and 

 another at the bottom, standing out sideways so that the 

 line may travel freely through them. To use this float it 

 is slipped on the line through both rings, and finds its 

 resting-place upon the uppermost shot of the sinkers. 

 When it is dropped into the water it floats in its proper 

 position, but the sinkers carry the bait to the bottom, 

 drawing line enough for that purpose with them down 

 through the float-rings. Now, the depth having been 

 carefully plumbed previously, is marked on the line by the 

 tying on' of a little fragment of indiarubber elastic, which 

 offers just enough resistance to prevent the line running 

 any farther than is requisite through the small float-rings, 

 upon which therefore the bit of indiarubber rests, keeping 

 the bait at the required depth below. Should a fish bite, 



tackle backwards, bring it forward again with a steady regular sweep, and 

 release your hold of the line without any abrupt action, and keep the little 

 finger close to the circumference of the reel so as to be able to put on pres- 

 sure to prevent overrunning of the line or to stop it altogether, as may be 

 desired. 



