THE BARBEL. 65 



weedy, gravelly, rising grounds, in which this fish 

 is said to dig, and rout his nose like a swine. In 

 the summer he frequents the strongest and swiftest 

 currents of water, as under deep bridges, wears, 8cc. 

 and is apt to settle himself amongst the piles, hol- 

 low places, and in moss and weeds. In the autumn 

 he retires into the deeps, where he remains all the 

 winter and beginning of the spring. The best baits 

 for him are salmon-spawn, lob-worms, gentles, bits 

 of cheese wrapt up in a wet linen rag to make them 

 tough, or steeped in honey for twenty-four hours, 

 and greaves : observe that the sweeter and cleaner 



?>ur baits are kept, the more eager he takes them, 

 ou cannot bait the ground for him too much, 

 when you angle for him with any kind of garbage : 

 as lob-worms cut in pieces, malt and grains incor- 

 porated with blood and clajy&c. The earlier and 

 later you fish for him in the months of June, July, 

 and August the better. Your rod and line must 

 be very strong: the former ringed, and the latter 

 must have gimp at the bottom, but I think twistefi 

 gut is better. A running plummet must be placed 

 on your line, which is a bullet* with a hole through 

 it : place a large shot a foot above the hook, to 

 prevent the bullet falling on it. The worm wilt of 

 course be at the bottom, for no float is to be used, 

 and when the barbel takes the bait, the bullet wilt 

 lay on the ground and not choak him. By the 

 bending of your rods you will know when he bites, 

 and also with your hands will feel him give a strong 

 snatch : then strike him, and he will be your own 

 if you play him well ; but if you do not manage 

 him with dexterity, he will break your tackle. 



* I have found lately that the flat plummet is much better. 

 G 2 



