128 BOTTOM FISHING IN THE NOTTINGHAM STYLE. 



reach a very heavy weight, and are found in England of the 

 weight of from twelve to twenty pounds, but the latter, how- 

 ever, being by no means common, from six to ten pounds 

 makes a very good fish. In Germany, carp reach to an 

 extraordinary weight, thirty and forty pounds being a com- 

 mon size, while it has been put on record that " a carp was 

 caught in 1711, near Frankfort on the Oder, which was more 

 than nine feet long, and three round, and which weighed 

 seventy pounds ;" and in the lake of Zug, in Switzerland, 

 one was taken which weighed ninety pounds. Carp are 

 found in lakes and ponds, and sometimes in rivers, the big 

 ones being the most shy and suspicious fish that swim in our 

 waters. Small ones of a pound or so will sometimes bite 

 very freely, but the big ones are not to be had except with 

 great difficulty ; indeed, it often happens that when the angler 

 has exhausted all his patience and ingenuity, the carp has not 

 come to hand and rewarded him for his trouble ; for as the 

 poet justly remarks, — 



" Of all the fish that swim the watery mead, 

 Not one in cunning can the carp exceed." 



All sorts of baits are recommended in carp fishing — pastes 

 of all sorts and colours, sweetened with honey and sugar, or 

 flavoured with gin or brandy ; green peas, small green beans, 

 while others swear by a bit of half -boiled potato, a bunch 

 of gentles, or a few grubs. Perhaps, however, as good a bait 

 as can be used is a well-scoured worm, a brandling, or a 

 cockspur. If you know of a lake or pond that contains carp, 

 it will be as weU to bait a pitch. If you keep your eyes open, 

 you will soon see which is a favourite feeding-ground, and a 

 day or two before you fish, get the right depth. Having 

 done this, throw in a handful or two of chopped worms the 

 first thing in the morning, or whatever ground bait you pro- 

 pose trying, and, if possible, repeat this for two or three days. 

 When you come to fish, if you can keep quite out of sight. 



