SOME BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 209 



trees here and there overhanging the deep water. 

 " Perch ? Oh yes, there are plenty high up the 

 lake near the bridge, where the stream runs pretty 

 briskly," said the keeper, who interviewed me 

 immediately on my arrival. Red worms were 

 undoubtedly the correct bait ; but not a nibble 

 did I have for an hour. So I tried for roach, as 

 I had tangible evidence there were plenty of 

 them. 



Seated on a gravelly beach was an elderly 

 mill-hand, a Lancashire "lad" (they are all lads 

 and lasses in the Duchy) " at play," l and he was 

 using a beautiful roach rod, Nottingham tackle, 

 and a quill float that lay flat on the surface. 

 "Had much luck?" I inquired. " Neowt to boast 

 on," he replied. "Oi've bin here sin' six i' th' 

 mornin', and now it be noon, an' these be all Oi've 

 getten," pointing to some dozens of roach scattered 

 around him. " You have some fine ones amongst 

 them," I answered. " I only hope I shall be as 

 lucky." 



Hut I was not. Neither gentles, nor paste, 

 nor anything I had, would tempt more than a 

 few small, inexperienced fish to come near the 

 hook. 



At last I thought I would consult the "lad," 

 ' There was a strike on at the cotton-mills. 



