ROACH TACKLE. 49 



differently, and their statements may then have been 

 justified by their comparatively unsophisticated fish, 

 and are still in the case of under-fed pond fish. 

 With river roach, however, the case is widely different ; 

 to bag a decent take, the rodster must be a practical 

 hand of no mean attainments and experience. This 

 branch of angling is so popular in these days that 

 upon all the most noted rivers these fish are marvel- 

 lously well schooled, so much so upon some waters as 

 to rival in wiliness the trout upon some streams ; but 

 the accomplished roach fisher will make a respectable 

 bag, even in adverse circumstances, always supposing 

 the fish are there to catch. With regard to the suit- 

 able equipage, the rod demands the first attention. 

 This should be stiff, light, and of fair length. Some 

 anglers use implements of prodigious dimensions. 

 We recommend an East India cane, of 10 or 12 feet, 

 as being well adapted for every useful purpose. Some 

 capital roach rods are made from lancewood, red deal 

 being employed for the butt-piece. When good ma- 

 terial is employed, a rod of the following dimensions 

 for a three-part rod will combine lightness with 

 strength. The diameter of the ferrules at the top 

 of the butt joint should be f inches inside, that of 

 the end of the middle piece T 5 of an inch, reel fittings 

 and terminating ferrules on the foot of the butt about 

 \\ or ij in diameter. This ratio will be found to 

 form a well-proportioned taper from the hand up- 

 wards, the wood, of course, tapering so as to fit the 

 ferrules without the metal being sunk in the joints. 

 Incalculable disasters ensue from a non-observance 

 E 



