THE BARBEL. 87 



feet deep on ordinary occasions. However, there had been a 

 lot of rain a few days before, and the water was just rising, 

 and it was the luckiest chance in the world (as it afterwards 

 turned out) that the bait was put in where it was. The 

 water rose a yard during the day, and at night they had one 

 of the best catches of barbel he ever saw. If the bait had 

 been put in the hole, ten to one if they would have caught a 

 single fish. This case goes to prove that barbel rove about 

 the shallows during a fresh. 



I have always found that just when the water is rising, 

 you can catch barbel ; but it is no good to bait a swim during 

 a fresh. The first day the water conies on is worth all the 

 rest of the time it is up put together. 



A piece of a lampern on the ledger tackle is a very good 

 bait for big barbel ; these baits (lamperns) are a peculiar eel- 

 shaped fish. Very heavy fish have been killed by its agency, 

 especially late in the season when the lamperns were running. 

 There is one thing finally I must mention as a caution to the 

 angler. It is this, don't overfeed the barbel while they are 

 biting. Many a day's sport has been spoilt by this very 

 foolish plan. If the fish go off biting a little, throw in 

 about half a dozen broken worms to set them on the feed 

 again ; this number will generally be found sufficient. 



As a fish for the table, the barbel is one of the very worst ; 

 it is coarse, watery, bony, and flavourless ; but if the angler 

 fancies he should like one cooked, he can prepare it the same 

 as I directed for big chub. 



