THE RUDD. 



THE angler sometimes thinks he has caught a 

 " queer " roach, but the fish is really a rudd. 

 The dorsal fin is set much further back in par ed 



rudd than roach, and the rudd has a witl * 

 , . , roach 



larger mouth, more blunt in its shape ; the 



rudd is also a deeper, clumsier fish than the roach, 

 and the fins are more vivid in colour. Moreover, 

 the upper lip is more hard and rigid in the rudd. 

 Although rudd are frequently caught in roach-swims 

 in the Norfolk and Huntingdon waters, it is rare to 

 take them in the Thames. I am told that Slapton 

 Ley swarms with these fish. In hot weather, rudd 

 swim in large shoals in shallow water, and are best 

 caught by surface-fishing, either with paste, gentle, 

 or fly. I find I get the largest rudd with large 

 lumps of paste, the little ones being an incessant 

 nuisance when gentles are used. Employ roach- 

 tackle and hooks, using a light, springy rod. 

 Attract the rudd by throwing pieces of bread on 

 the surface, and throw as near the bread as pos- 

 sible, taking care to keep out of sight ; but allow 

 time in striking, letting the float run well away. 

 The bait should swim from one to two feet below 

 the surface ; even in deep water this will be sufti- 



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