330 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



appears to be perpetually wide open, with three little prongs or 

 forks protruding. In colour the whole creature is of a bright 

 crimson, and its structure, which is always sufficiently curious, 

 becomes positively beautiful when placed under the magnifying 

 glass. Near Whitehall Stairs the surface of the mud has a deep 

 reddish tint, owing to the innumerable quantity of blood worms ; 

 and it is the common superstition that this appearance was never 

 seen before the decapitation of Charles I. 



Blood worms, however, are impossible, or next to impossible, 

 to bait with, from their extreme smallness, and practically the 

 best bait for gudgeon is the tail of a small well scoured brandling ; 

 the tackle used being the same as that for the roach, but with a 

 size smaller hook, say, a No. 2 or 3, and the depth plumbed 

 with great accuracy so that the bait may just brush along the 

 bottom. It is best to strike as soon as the float is taken under 

 water or held steadily down, but not when it is merely disturbed 

 by nibblings. No ground bait is commonly used for gudgeon- 

 fishing, and if there be any which is really of any use it will be 

 found quite inferior to the process of raking above recommended. 

 A long heavy iron rake, especially suited for the purpose, is 

 generally kept by every Thames puntsman in his boat. A gravelly 

 bottom with a depth of from 4 to 6 feet of water is the most 

 favourable locale, and the best time of the year, summer, and 

 that rather late on, as the gudgeon, as well as the bleak, spawns 

 in May. 



When gudgeon-fishing it is recommended to put out a 

 paternoster for jack and perch, which may both add to the 

 basket on its own account, and also keep away, in the most 

 effectual manner, intruders who would be otherwise likely to 

 ' spoil sport.' The gudgeon is a very bold biter, and when he 

 comes on the feed will give constant work to the fisherman as 

 well as to his attendant in taking off the hooked fish and re- 

 baiting. Perhaps, primarily owing to its instinctive readiness 

 to bite and general simplicity of behaviour, it has many ad- 

 mirers amongst the fair sex, who frequently become very skilful 

 in its capture. I once had the pleasure of forfeiting a pair of 



