BARBEL. 65 



and pulls the float down suddenly, therefore 

 you should strike the instant you perceive it ; 

 when you have hooked one permit it to run out 

 with the line to some distance before you make 

 any attempt to check or turn it, then use every 

 endeavour to prevent it getting among weeds or 

 stones, or under the shelvings of the bank, all 

 which it will try to effect, and should it succeed 

 you will have very little chance of killing it ; 

 if you hook one in a current the best way you 

 can manage it is to draw it as quickly as possi- 

 ble into still water, and tire it well before you 

 attempt to land it, which, if a heavy fish, will 

 sometimes occupy nearly half an hour ; but be 

 not afraid, for when the hook, although small, 

 is fairly fixed in its fleshy lips, it will never 

 draw. The Barbel is chiefly prized by anglers 

 on account of its being a very game fish, it af- 

 fords them excellent sport, mixed with some la- 

 bour and much anxiety. 



RUD. 



THE Rud partakes very much of the nature 

 both of Bream and Roach, indeed it is called 

 by many a bastard Bream; some say it is 

 produced by the one shedding its milt over the 

 spawn of the other. It is frequently caught in 

 the Thames when angling for Roach or Dace ; it 



