50 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 



the hard substance of the hook is detected. A rapid 

 striker will hook two fish to a dilatory angler's one. The 

 bait, which should be very minute, should be so arranged 

 as to just escape the bottom. 



From an edible point of view, the gudgeon is superior 

 to many, we may say the majority, of fishes that inhabit 

 fresh water. 



DACE. This fish seldom attains more than three- 

 quarters of a pound weight, though occasionally it may 

 reach one pound. Dace are numerous in most trout 

 streams, more especially in those of Wales and the south- 

 ern counties of England. They afford excellent sport 

 when feeding in sufficient quantities, though they are 

 occasionally very annoying to the fly-fisher for trout; in- 

 deed, they are to be taken in large numbers by a gaudily 

 dressed fly, towards the end of the summer. The small 

 palmers (red, gray, and black), bumble, and red tags, etc., 

 are the description that find most favor in the eyes 

 of this fish, though sometimes they are by no means 

 partial in this respect. 



To the fly-angler for dace, we would observe that when 

 these fish are fastidious in rising, a gentle, or a wasp- 

 grub, or even a tiny strip of flannel, when placed so as to 

 hide the hook, will render the thing effective; but the 

 usual mode of angling for these fish is by bottom fishing. 

 The tackle and hooks hereafter recommended for roach 

 are equally well adapted for dace fishing, and as both 

 are found upon the same swims, the angler frequently 

 extracts a mixed bag. Like the gudgeon, the dace is a 

 bold biter, and is sharp, often incredibly so, in discharg- 

 ing the lure if not struck speedily. It is unlike the roach 

 in the latter characteristic. As regards gameness the 

 dace has considerable repute. Bait fishing for dace is 

 mostly followed, and is most productive in winter. His 

 flesh is not, however, much appreciated for the table. 



