BOTTOM FISHT^G. 49 



knows, being easily deceived. Poets, too, adopt the bold 

 little gudgeon as an analogy to convey the same impres- 

 sion, as Gay serenely sings 



4< What gudgeons are we men, 



Every woman's easy prey ; 

 Though we felt the hook, again 



We bite, and they betray ! " 



Notwithstanding all this, the finest tackle and a nine or 

 ten-foot rod, stiff and light, are essential to moderate suc- 

 cess. The telescope Japanese bamboo rods answer well 

 for these fish, though we cannot commend their use for 

 fish of heavier calibre. The finest possible line should be 

 used; as to whether it be twist or plait is immaterial. A 

 light cork, or better still, a small quill float, and small 

 No. 12 hook, complete the equipment. Some fishermen 

 advocate the use of extra strong tackle to meet exceptional 

 emergencies; as for instance, when angling for gudgeon 

 they will employ a hook and line equal to landing a heavy 

 tench, perch, or chub. That this is folly is proved by 

 the result of a trial of the two systems in the weight of 

 fish taken. If you wish to take perch or chub, why not 

 angle for them ? Do not use unsuitable tackle upon any 

 pretext. We have often known anglers spoil all prospects 

 of sport by their stupidity in this respect, rigging up 

 trout baits with gimp because of the probable presence 

 of a pike, for instance, in which case the result is, gener- 

 ally speaking, simply nil. 



The best bait for these fish are worms, gentles, and the 

 cad-bait grub, the latter found in its sheath at the bot- 

 tom of the water. The small worm known in the Mid- 

 lands as the "Cockspur" is the favorite lure, and the 

 brandling, too, often does great execution. In striking 

 even a gudgeon, a little art and aptness tell marvellously 

 in a day's fishing. No slack line should intervene be- 

 tween the rodster and the feeding fish, as, though a bold 

 biter, it is equally energetic in rejecting the bait when 

 3 



