THE BLEAK. 77 



THE BLEAK 



Is called by some " the fresh-water swallow," and by 

 others " the fresh-water sprat:'' its length is about five or 

 six inches ; the back is of a olive green, the scales thin 

 and of a silvery colour. It is found in many of our rivers, 

 and it haunts both deeps and streams. It spawns in 

 May. When you angle for them use a single hair line, 

 with a slender rod, a small quill float, with two or three 

 No. 1 hooks on your line, and fish at mid water. You 

 may also take tbem with the fly, such as you use for 

 dace. The best baits for the bleak are gentles, small cad- 

 dies, house flies, and small bits of reddish paste. Bait 

 the ground the same a for roach and dace. 



THE GUDGEON 



Is to be met with in most of our small rivers and rivulets, 

 particularly those which are connected with lakes and 

 ponds with sandy and gravelly bottoms ; its length is 

 about five or six inches. The back is of a pale olive co- 

 lour, the sides of a silvery hue marked with black spots, 

 and the belly white. It spawns in April or May. In 

 summer it resorts to gentle shallow streams, in winter to 

 deep still waters. It is an excellent bait for the pike. 

 They are to be angled for at the bottom, with fine tackle. 

 The baits are gentles and small red worms. 



