AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 321 



Autumn flood. Many scores of times I have had 

 success there that has astonished those who have 

 only tried these boughs in summer-time or when 

 the river was low. 



The Bucks withy-clad bank from Old Windsor 

 lock to below " The Bells" is the best mile of free 

 winter roach fishing that I know of. 



The Lea fisher may not approve this method 

 of hanging on for catching roach. He prefers to 

 sit behind a bush or the rushes that fringe the pool 

 where his hopes are centred. Sparingly he uses 

 the ground-bait and carefully casts it to just within 

 the reach of his long rod. Have you seen him 

 watch the cocking of his float until the merest tip is 

 visible ? Battles may be won or lost, governments 

 may come or go, but he can only think of the little 

 black speck that is gliding on its way, hoping that 

 it will go under before it reaches the end of its 

 allotted course. 



Roach at times swim quite a distance from the 

 bottom, and then the ground-bait and the paste, 

 or gentles, are, of course unnoticed. Try a plan I 

 have often known succeed. 



Chew and throw in some bread, and fish mid- 

 water with a pinch of dry soft bread pressed upon 

 the hook with the forefinger and thumb of each 

 hand. Immediately this bait settles in its place, 

 by the aid of two small shot and the smallest float, 

 the rough edges spring out from their compressed 

 positions and there is quite a lively stir of bread 



Y 



