BOTTOM FISHING. 59 



CHAPTER IV. 



BOTTOM FISHING Continued. 



ANGLING FOR CARP AND CHUB. 



The Carp* (Genus Cyprinus) is a very wily fish ; in 

 waters much fished they come rather as an exceptional 

 prize to the angler, whose attentions and baits were 

 intended for the allurement of other fish. In well-pre- 

 served and little-fished waters they are to be occasionally 

 taken of very large size. The smaller fish, under three 

 pounds or so, are far less cunning. 



The angler for carp cannot be too careful and quiet in 

 his movements, nor too skillful in the use of the tackle, 

 which latter cannot possibly be too fine, so long as a 

 reasonable amount of strength is retained. We put forth 

 the above, notwithstanding the exhortations of the early 

 writers as to the use of. strong " harnessing" and tackle, 

 for if any fish is gifted with reasoning powers it is the 

 carp; as even when hunger-bitten it displays the most 

 tantalizing caution in what it absorbs. An all-round 

 inspection is invariably given to the bait before it is cau- 

 tiously closed upon; sometimes the rodster in clear water 

 plainly discerns a yellow monster, which, after describing 

 a number of circles around the bait, traces the line to the 

 surface, which done, the carping critic waves a courteous 

 or contemptuous farewell flourish of his broad tail and is 



* Our author certainly presents us with a pleasing picture of the 

 "cuteness" of the carp as a rod fish. American, anglers, however, 

 should not become enthusiastic over this fish until, after clue trial and a 

 full probation, he is found to merit the honor. Change of habitat some- 

 times creates a vast difference in the game qualities of a fish, but I am 

 disposed to discredit the possession of such qualities by any fish that 

 feeds, from choice, on a vegetable diet. 



