80 ABT OE ANGLING. 



noxious ; the roe in particular is said to operate as a 

 very strong emetic and cathartic, and is sometimes 

 taken in a small quantity as common physic. It is 

 in its prime in August and September. 



The Barbel usually spawns in April and May, 

 according to the warmth of the season ; and at this 

 period it rushes up the river and deposits the spawn 

 in stony places, in the most rapid parts of the current. 

 The best time to fish for Barbel is during the 

 months of July, August, and September, early in the 

 morning and late in the evening ; the most killing 

 baits are the spawn of Salmon, Trout, or indeed of 

 any other fish, especially if it be fresh, respecting 

 which the Barbel is very cunning ; well-scoured lob- 

 worms, red worms, and maggots, and chandler's 

 greaves, are all good baits ; it will sometimes take 

 toasted cheese, or sheep's suet and cheese made 

 into paste with a little honey. It is advisable to 

 bait the places three or four times before you begin 

 angling, either with spawn, or a quantity of worms 

 cut in pieces. The rod and line with which you 

 fish for Barbel, must both be extremely long, the 

 bottom tackle equally fine as for Carp, the hook 

 "No. 7 or 8, using a large quill float 5 the line to be 

 well leaded about nine inches from the hook, as it 

 is a fish that invariably feeds on the bottom. 



The Barbel is a very sharp biter, and pulls the 



