76 ANGLING. 



The tench has been called the physician of the pike, the latter 

 being supposed to rub himself against its soft mollifying skin when 

 sick or wounded. This notion does not seem to rest upon any 

 sufficient foundation, and yet it is almost universally credited. 



The flesh of this fish is rich, luscious, and delicate, although 

 somewhat muddy in its flavour, but the ancients, who have offered 

 some illustrious examples of their familiarity with the gastronomic 

 art, and the appreciation of the delicacies which nature supplies, 

 considered the tench very difficult of digestion, and held him in 

 light estimation. And an old Silesian physician, who seems to 

 have shared these prejudices, says " The tench is a vile neglected 

 fish, very flabby and glutinous, bad for digestion, a food fit only 

 for paupers and serfs." If he had ever eaten the fish when under 

 the influence of Dr. Kitcnener, or Mr. Soyer, he would have 

 smacked his lips, and revoked his opinion. 



The tench is by no means a shy fish, but he bites, perhaps, slower 

 than others. He will play with and _ mumble the bait some time 

 before he will take it. so that he requires a great deal of indulgence, 

 and must be allowed to have his own way for some minutes before 

 the angler can venture to interfere with him. 



The baits commonly recommended are the same as those sug- 

 gested for carp-fishing, and the ground-bait, when required, may be 

 made up from the recipe just given. 



Some anglers, and very skilful ones too, have a few pet baits 



Eeculiar to themselves, which they pronounce irresistible in angling 

 3r this fish. We are acquainted with a clever artist, who never 

 fishes for tench with anything but a large dew worm, and he boasts 

 ot his extraordinary success. In France, the small white garden 

 slug is recommended in wot weather, just after showers of rain. 

 But Captain _ Guillaume affirms that merac is the best and most 

 attractive bait for tench that it is, in fact, perfectly unequalled. 

 We have never submitted this hint to the test ol experience, but 

 the captain is a high continental authority, and may be safely relied 

 upon by his brethren of the craft. 



As a general rule, perhaps, a clear^ red worm will be found the 

 most taking and useful bait, especially in the heats of summer. 

 The bait should always touch the ground in any water, and in all 

 seasons. 



In rivers, the tench may be caught from April to October, and 

 in still waters from May to September, although we once had a 

 capital day's sport in the middle of November, in a small pond, 

 during fine onen weather. These fish bite best in the morning and 

 evening, but in mild showery weather they will feed all the day, 

 and offer good sport. 



In fishing for tench the angler must be cautious, circumspect, 

 and still, as the fish, in the event of any noise or alarm, will miry 

 himself in the mud as quickly as possible. If, on being hooked, he 

 endeavours to rush into the mud, hold him firm, but without 

 pulling ; this will keep his mouth open, and prevent him rooting 



