210 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



below mid-water at great depths. In shallows of two or three feet 

 deep only, particularly in such as lie in the angle of two sharp streams, 

 or where a swift brook enters a river, or between the race-courses of mill- 

 wheels, where there is a sort of still back-water, set the bait to within 

 four inches of the ground. In these spots dace are usually found waiting 

 for the worms and insects that may be brought down, and which, as the 

 eddy whirls them into the still, by its circular impetus, present them- 

 selves to the fish in the most tempting form. To imitate this, use a 

 light line with a very fine cork, or large quill float, drop it within the 

 edge of the current, so as to gain from it the circular motion for the 

 bait you offer, which may be worm, gentle, or caddis, etc. By this 

 method dace after dace may be taken, as fast nearly as you drop in the 

 line ; and we have ourselves, in such situations, basketed two or three 

 dozen at a time. In most other cases, however, they are not so sta- 

 tionary as roach, and it is necessary to shift the fishing ground often to 

 meet with them. Dace bite sharp, and must be struck quickly; they 

 also plunge violently at first, and should the tackle be very fine, they must 

 be guardedly played, or they may endanger it." Ground-baiting for dace 

 over-night is not absolutely necessary, but follow Captain Williamson's 

 advice, viz. : "In dace-fishing throw in now and then some balls made 

 of brown (by roasting) oatmeal and treacle, or some coarsely ground 

 malt." The roach is called Cyprinus Rutilus, from the red colour of its 

 fins ; the dace Cyprinus Alburnus, from the bright hue of its scales and 

 belly. I recommend the latter to the patient pursuit of the incipient 

 fly-fisher ; the former to the steady perseverance of the young bottom- 

 fisher. ED.] 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



OP THE MINNOW OH PENK, OF THE LOACH, AND OP THE BULL-HEAD 



on MILLER'S THUMB. 

 Lf iftf) Baa.] 



Pise. There be also three or four other little fish that I 

 had almost forgot, that are all without scales, and may for 

 excellency of meat be compared to any fish of greatest value 

 and largest size. They be usually full of eggs or spawn all 

 the months of summer ; for they breed often, as it is observed 

 mice, and many of the smaller four-footed creatures of the 

 earth do ; and as those, so these, come quickly to their full 

 growth and perfection. And it is needful that they breed 

 both often and numerously, for they be, besides other accidents 

 of ruin, both a prey and baits for other fish. And first, I 

 shall tell you of the MINNOW or PENK. 



