THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 79 



are dusky blue, paler down the sides, white on the belly, 

 and the cheeks and gill covers silvery white. They spawn 

 in April and May, and very soon get into condition. Dace 

 afford sport to the young angler, and will take all varieties 

 of bait, but especially a bright lively red worm. The angler 

 must be very quick in striking. They give a good deal of 

 sport with the fly, principally little black or red palmers, 

 very fine tackle, and a light rod. It makes the lure more 

 enticing if there is a maggot or a gentle put on the barb of 

 the fly hook. They need to be approached cautiously when 



'.'HE DACE. 



whipping for them, as they are easily frightened. The best 

 weather for them is when it is warm and dull, with no 

 ripple on the water ; they rise quickly, and blow out the 

 fly if not struck the moment the stir is seen on the surface. 

 The style of fishing for roach will do for this fish as 

 well. When in good condition they are esteemed by many 

 for the table. In bottom fishing it is well to ground bait, 

 or to stir up the mud so as to discolour the water, then the 

 lure, whether maggot, worm, or gentle, should be about four 

 inches off the bottom. Use a cork float. 



Dapingf, Dipping 1 , or Defobing? is the term ap- 

 plied to angling for fish with the natural insect or fly. 

 The rod required is one inclining to be stiff, but it must 

 be handy and light, as it is used single-handed. The 

 line may be either floss silk, or silk and hair, with a very 

 fine casting line of gut or horse hair ; this casting line 



