228 PLUMBING THE WATER. 



raise him on land promptly, and not allow him to 

 dart about under water like a mad thing, else he 

 will give the word to his mates, and cause them to 

 disperse as diversely and as rapidly as the seizure 

 of one out of the gang of young pickpockets by 

 the police causes the dispersion of the remainder 

 of the shoal. 



If you fish with a float you must exactly plumb 

 the depth of the water, in order that you may 

 know on what part of your line you are to fix the 

 float. For barbel, tench, and gudgeons, you must 

 fish close to the bottom ; and for the generality 

 of other fish of the carp tribe, from three to six 

 inches from it. When the plummet sinks the 

 float so that the upper tip is even with the surface 

 of the water, you have the exact depth. With- 

 draw your plummet, and move the float down- 

 wards on your line, as many inches as you wish 

 your hook and bait should be from the bottom of 

 the water. Fasten your float properly by the 

 usual means, and see that it stands in the water 

 clear of any obstruction to its yielding to the 

 slightest nibble. Green, dark yellow, or brown 

 are the best colours for floats. 



BOTTOM-FISHING BAITS. Worms are the 

 most general baits, and, except at certain seasons, 

 the best of all. No river fish will refuse them. 

 They are decidedly the best baits in spring, and 

 at all times when the waters are clearing after a 



