130 ROACH. 



stream, I insert a small pebble, arid cast in about the 

 float, at the beginning of the swim. With baits and 

 ground-bait of this description, I have, in the counties 

 of Norfolk and Suffolk, frequently taken from twenty 

 to thirty pounds of roach in a few hours, much to the 

 surprise of the resident anglers, who, with their strong 

 tackle, wool- paste, worms, and gentles, seldom took one 

 fish to my dozen. On one day, in the summer of 1845, 

 between the hours of ten and four, I caught over forty 

 pounds of roach, twenty of which fish weighed fifteen 

 pounds and a half; and in October last, on a very un- 

 favourable morning, I caught, near Hurleston, in Nor- 

 folk, a dish of fine roach and dace, one of which (a 

 roach) weighed exactly two pounds. With the red 

 paste, at Waltham, I also took an eel weighing fifteen 

 ounces and a half ; and on another occasion, a rudd 

 (which I have had preserved for the inspection of the 

 curious) weighing two pounds and a quarter, both 

 with single hair and tight lines. I should have ob- 

 served, that when fishing with single hair, I have 

 always with me a small, light landing-net to land the 

 fish with; for if attempted to be weighed out, except- 

 ing when small, they would undoubtedly break the 

 line, and sometimes probably the rod also. Hence the 

 necessity of striking very gently, and after playing the 

 fish a little, landing him with the net. In many 

 places, fresh grains are a very good bait, throwing in a 

 handful occasionally, and picking out a few of the 

 least bruised for the hook. With this bait I have often 

 taken a quantity of bream. At Oundle, on one occa- 

 sion, I caught ten bream before breakfast, and they 

 weighed more than thirty pounds. I have always 

 found it best to be particular in accurately plumbing 



