42 ANGLING. 



rounded, compact body, pointed head, and large fins being 

 peculiarly adapted to these rapid and heavy waters ; the 

 roughest water in a river being frequently the most 

 favourite haunt of the big barbel, while the swifter and 

 heavier streams are nearly always their chosen resort. 



Barbel are taken with the ledger or with float tackle, 

 either while roach fishing or with the traveller in the 

 Nottingham fashion for which purpose the slider float is 

 chiefly used, as it accommodates itself to any slight varia- 

 tion in the depth of the swim better than any other. 

 They are also taken by expert fishers with a light pistol 

 bullet and no float, the bullet being fixed a yard above 

 the hook, and the tackle and bait allowed to trundle 

 naturally along the bottom ; when a bite is felt at the rod 

 point, or seen by the stoppage of the tackle any slack 

 line being gathered up a smart backward strike, well 

 over the shoulder, usually succeeds in fixing the hook. 



The ledger for barbelling should always be as light as it 

 is possible to hold the bottom with, a moderate-sized pistol 

 bullet often being quite heavy enough, though in some 

 heavy streams a much heavier lead is needed. There 

 should be at least three or four feet of tolerably fine but 

 sound gut below the bullet, so as to give the bait plenty of 

 play, and as fine a running line should be used as is 

 possible, as it holds less water, and enables a lighter lead 

 to be used. The rod should not be too heavy, as the 

 lighter it is in reason the easier it is to feel the bite. A 

 rod somewhat bigger than an ordinary punting roach rod, 

 but rather stiff er, and made of solid wood, is best. The 

 hook should be of the long- shanked, round-bend sort, 

 and not larger than No. 4 or 5, and tied on tolerably fine 

 gut. Do not strike at the first touch, but when the tug is 

 repeated once or twice, strike smartly upwards. The best 



