THE CARP. 61 



the running line can go through the rings to the 

 pull of a biting fish with the utmost freedom. For 

 large carp, use solid wood rods, not too stiff, and 

 strike hard. Carp are tough-mouthed, and the 

 hook rarely breaks out ; in the majority of cases, 

 indeed, the fish is hooked well down in the gullet. 

 In nearly every case you must hold your fish 

 hard, so do not use a weak rod. 



The winch should be free-running, in order to 

 throw out a long way. It should hold 

 plenty of line, and be fitted with a check, 

 as in night-fishing the check announces when 

 a fish is on. When the line is thrown in, the 

 rod should be placed on the ground with the 

 winch-handles uppermost ; a yard or so of line 

 is drawn off the winch and left loose on the 

 ground (this, of course, in pond- or lake-fishing) 

 and the check is slipped on. Should there be 

 wind enough to blow the line about, a piece of 

 stick or lump of clay or ground bait should be laid 

 on the line just below the ring next the winch ; 

 place this stick or lump in such position that the 

 line will run easily to a feeding fish. When fishing 

 in shallow water, I go far away from my rod, as 

 the fish will not usually draw in round the edges 

 even at night unless you are very still and quiet. 

 The fish, on taking the bait, swallows it after a 

 time, he then goes off a yard before the winch 

 sounds, and has got the bait well down. A big 

 carp does make the winch scream, and you dash 

 frantically for your rod at the sound, clutch it, 

 strike, and then stop your carp with all your might. 

 It is only by leaving the rod like this that you may 

 expect to kill big carp where they are shy. A rug 

 and waterproof sheet are not to be despised in 



