THE ROACH. 173 



be sunk so deeply, or the bites will not be seen. 

 Always fish with the lightest tackle that will suit 

 the swim ; and in reaching, strike at the slightest 

 bite or indication of a bite. The strike cannot be 

 made too quickly, except when large worms are 

 used for bait, when time should be given. Roach 

 have small mouths, and take a little while to suck 

 in a lobworm. Avoid any slack line between rod- 

 top and float ; when fishing with a long rod, not 

 even an inch of line should be allowed to rest on 

 the surface if it can possibly be avoided ; but the 

 float should be under the rod-top and the rod 

 lifted the instant any indication of a bite is given. 

 When fishing long swims in the Nottingham or 

 Thames style, the running line must float, and it 

 must be kept as straight as possible on the surface, 

 or fish will often be missed. The greatest quick- 

 ness of eye and touch are essential in roach-fishing ; 

 for the roach is a very sharp, quick biter, but will 

 puff out a small bait the instant he finds anything 

 wrong about it. The float bobs, comes up again, 

 and you strike just an instant too late ; the bait 

 has been in the fish's mouth, but has been ejected, 

 the weight of line, shot, or float having warned the 

 fish that there is something unusual about the 

 tempting morsel. All depths of water should be 

 tried for roach ; in very heavy floods, a shallow 

 eddy or shallow water where there is protection 

 for the fish should always be carefully searched. 

 I have had many a pound roach out of a foot and 

 .a half of water in heavy floods, particularly when 

 the water is very thick indeed. Try swift swims 

 .In the early season,- especially between beds of 

 weeds ; deeper water gives better sport, as a rule, 

 later in the year, when the river is in normal con- 



