BAIT FOR GUDGEON. DACE. 47 



is folly is proved by the result of a trial of the two 

 systems in the weight of fish taken. If you wish to 

 take perch or chub, why not angle for them? Do 

 not use unsuitable tackle upon any pretext. We 

 have often known anglers spoil all prospects of sport 

 by their stupidity in this respect, rigging up trout 

 baits with gimp because of the probable presence of 

 a pike, for instance, in which case the result is, 

 generally speaking, simply nil. 



The best bait for these fish are worms, gentles, 

 and the cad-bait grub, the latter found in its sheath 

 at the bottom of the water. The small worm known 

 in the Midlands as the " Cockspur " is the favourite 

 lure, and the brandling, too, often does great execution. 

 In striking even a gudgeon, a little art and aptness 

 tells marvellously in a day's fishing. No slack line 

 should intervene between the rodster and the feeding 

 fish, as, though a bold biter, it is equally energetic 

 in rejecting the bait when the hard substance of the 

 hook is detected. A rapid striker will hook two fish 

 to a dilatory angler's one. The bait, which should be 

 very minute, should be so arranged as to just escape 

 the bottom. 



From an edible point of view, the gudgeon is 

 superior to many, we may say the majority, of fishes 

 that inhabit fresh water. 



DACE. This fish seldom attains more than f Ib. 

 weight, though occasionally may reach I Ib. Dace 

 are numerous in most trout streams, more especially 

 in those of Wales and the southern counties of Eng- 

 land. They afford excellent sport when feeding in 



