44 COARSE FISH. 



water ; that is, in dead water or very gentle swims. 

 In the quicker runs the float must be capped in 

 the ordinary way, or it will not show bites correctly. 

 The float will perhaps stick up some two inches out 

 of the water ; this being the case, the line must be 

 tightened a little, which pulls the float down. The 

 lead will sink the float if you are too shallow, so you 

 must keep on adjusting the tackle till you get it 

 right. When fishing in the evening the line should 

 be kept slacker ; the float then rises, and is more 

 easily seen in the dusk. Never be in a hurry to 

 strike bream, as they usually take time in sucking 

 in a bait, though sometimes the float sails steadily 

 under at once ; even then, give a little time before 

 striking. There is no doubt about a real bream 

 bite ; the float gives a quick, very gentle quiver, not 

 a " bob," like a roach-bite, but more of a shake. 

 Do not attempt to strike yet ; it is only the fish 

 just lifting or touching the bait. Perhaps the float 

 will rise (in nearly every case, if you are fishing with 

 fixed shots on the line), then it will disappear slowly 

 and steadily in a slanting direction. This is the 

 best time to strike, with a long, sweeping stroke ; 

 not a light gentle upstroke, but with rather a long 

 pull of the rod. 



When the quiver is first noticed, take firm hold 

 of the rod, taking the greatest care not to shake it 

 or disturb the float, lift the rod out of the fork and 

 make the strike in one action. Leaning forward to 

 grasp the rod and watching the float at the same 

 time may seem difficult, but it becomes almost 

 mechanical. When adjusting your line, see that it 

 is placed outside the fork of the stick, or the rod 

 will probably rest on it, and prevent the line running 

 without check to a feeding fish. By fishing a swim 



