The Carp 



is to take especial care and keep out 

 of sight, as the carp is very shy. A 

 forked stick can be put in the bank for 

 the rod to rest on while the angler moves 

 back out of sight. Approach the water 

 cautiously and drop the bait exactly in 

 the spot you have plumbed the night be- 

 fore, and again leave the bank a few steps, 

 lying down on the grass, taking care still 

 to see the float. When there is a touch 

 give time, even until the float begins to 

 move off, then strike and, as the carp has a 

 tough mouth, there is little chance of losing 

 him. The angler will find that catching a 

 carp with rod and line is always a difficult 

 and uncertain operation, especially if the 

 fish is a large one ; they are very wary and 

 patient, sometimes swimming round the 

 bait for a long time before they touch it. 

 Young carp of two pounds or less are 

 much the best to take the bait, and it con- 

 stantly happens with the best anglers that 

 large carp will not be taken with this or 

 any other mode of fishing; but if they are 



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