70 COARSE FISH. 



weather be fine and warm, they are to be seen, 

 literally in hundreds, on the gravel beds, the 

 largest numbers in some two feet of water. The 

 sight must be seen in the very early morning 

 to be realised, for the whole shallow seems alive 

 with fish To the trout-fisher, the chub is a great 

 nuisance, greedily taking his spinning or live bait, 

 and repeatedly awaking false hopes. To a great 

 extent, as the season advances, chub leave the 

 weirs, though sport is to be had with the fly on the 

 weir shallows well into July ; but chub are not in 

 good condition until about September. July and 

 August are the best months for fly-fishing under 

 the boughs. 



A winter or spring chub is a different creature 

 from a summer chub, firm and strong, and 

 affording far better sport, though I can say but 

 little in favour of his edible qualities. To catch 

 many chub, special tackle is requisite, and a full 

 knowledge of the water will add many a big 

 fellow to your bag. After trying different swims, 

 the angler in time discovers those that reward him 

 best, and he knows, almost to a few inches, the spot 

 in which he will get his fish. 



Preference may be given to a greenheart rod for 

 punt-fishing, and a cane rod, with green- 

 heart top, for bank swims. A punt-rod 

 should measure about ten feet, while a length of 

 twelve to fourteen feet will be found serviceable for 

 fishing from the bank. Holroyd, of Gracechurch 

 Street, worked out a pattern punt-rod from my 

 directions with which I have killed hundreds of 

 chub. There is plenty of power in it ; it will hook 

 a. chub, and hold him, at times most important ; 

 for I have a most vivid recollection of some of the 



