10 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



bind a little waxed silk on my cap also, to 

 make it thick, which causes it to rest on 

 the water more steadily. By adopting these 

 methods, you will be able to see the finest 

 bite possible, which is very important in roach 

 fishing. 



THE BAIT. 



Roach at different seasons of the year, arid 

 in different waters, will take various kinds of 

 baits worms, gentles, grubs, blood-worms, 

 may all be used, if anglers feel disposed to use 

 them, but for our own part we never use any- 

 thing but paste. In the Lea, in the spring, 

 sometimes blood-worms may be used with 

 advantage, and in the summer, gentles in the 

 docks, but, even then, we always use paste in 

 preference. We should not, indeed, consider 

 that we were roach fishing if we were not 

 using paste. To make it really good, the 

 bread must be the best, about one day old, 

 not more, nor less ; be particular in that re- 

 spect, for if it be too new your paste will be 

 too stickey, and not white, and if it be too 

 stale, it will be too loose to hold on the hook. 

 When at the water-side, and not till then, for 

 it spoils in a short time, take a piece out of 



