36 COARSE FISH. 



about in numbers and feeding freely, I seldom 

 trouble to hold the rod when fishing from the bank, 

 indeed, I consider it a disadvantage to do so when 

 the stream is not powerful enough to shift your 

 tackle. In a strong stream, legering is best, the 

 bites being felt by touch, and not seen by the action 

 of a float. 



For bream, I employ very fine, light tackle. It 

 is seldom that they have to be held out of weeds or 

 dangerous stumps, not being in the habit of seeking 

 much cover, except, perhaps, that of depth of water. 

 They do not as a rule lurk behind or under great 

 roots or branches, but are most frequently found in 

 nice open water that is delightful to fish, and in 

 swims that are unencumbered with stumps and 

 stones. Early morning, in the Thames especially, 

 is a favourable time : but I have caught bream at 

 all hours of the day when I can get the water quiet 

 and undisturbed, and, what is sometimes important, 

 not too bright. I like a dull summer or autumn 

 day for bream-fishing, though in mild, open weather 

 they may be taken freely in January and February. 

 September is my favourite month, and I find I get 

 most fish in still, quiet weather ; having seldom 

 taken many bream when there is much wind 

 blowing. I have fished the Wey for bream more 

 than any other river, and the fish there are pretty 

 well educated and consequently are very shy. It is 

 rare indeed to get many in the lower Wey ; but 

 their quality makes up for it. Nine out of ten of 

 my Wey fish have been three pounds in weight or 

 over, but then I use a large bait in most cases, for 

 reasons hereafter given. 



It is occasionally most difficult to find what bait 

 bream will take, though at times they will not be 



