186 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



gible baits better than the former. Worms are early summer baits; pastes 

 autumn and early winter ones. 



The barbel is one of the largest of the carp tribe, and it is known to 

 naturalists by the names, Cyprinus Barbus, and Barbusvulgaris; it has 

 two beards, or wattles, at each side of the upper jaw, which is much 

 longer than the lower one. It not unfrequently attains three feet in 

 length, and is often caught in the Thames and Trent, weighing ten, 

 twelve, and occasionally fourteen pounds. They are plentiful in all the 

 deep running waters of those large rivers, from Twickenham to Sonning 

 in the former, and several miles above and below Nottingham in the 

 latter. It is a handsome and very powerful fish ; olive-coloured on the 

 back, and silver-hued on the belly. Its fins are large, especially the 

 pectoral ones, and by their means it can stem the most rapid currents, 

 and fight fiercely, when hooked, with the angler. In playing this fish, 

 the line should always be kept taut, for if it be relaxed the fish will make 

 for the bottom, or some stronghold, and seize between his leathern lips a 

 root, or any substance he can with tenacity adhere to. Being a flat- 

 bellied fish, he feeds close to the bottom, and should be angled for with 

 the bait lying upon it. In the summer months fish early and late for the 

 barbel in deep streams. As soon as light frosts set in, barbel retire to 

 still sheltered waters, and should be angled for only in the forenoon 

 and afternoon. They do not bite well in long-continued dry weather, but 

 do after heavy rains. ED.] 



CHAPTER XV. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE GUDGEON, THE RUFFE, AND THE BLEAK; 

 AND HOW TO FISH FOR THEM. 



PiSC. The Gudgeon is reputed a fish of excellent taste, 



and to be rery wholesome : he is of a fine shape, of a silver 

 colour, and beautified with black spots both on his body and 

 tail. He breeds two or three times in the year, and always 



