254 CARRION GENTLES. 



they are only fit for ground-bait. This idea is 

 indeed groundless, for when duly prepared these 

 will be found for barbel singularly attractive, and 

 for all other fish also they appear nearly, if not 

 quite, equal to those procured from any other 

 source. Of the value of gentles as a bait but one 

 opinion we believe exists, or we should not have 

 dwelt so long on them ; neither are they a mere 

 local bait. In all the districts we have travelled 

 through they are highly prized for all winter- 

 taking fish, roach, dace, and grayling especially." 



The gentles got at the knackers' are generally 

 called carrion gentles, and their proper use is for 

 ground-bait. They are nasty things to handle, 

 and are never so good for hook -baits as the gentles 

 produced by putrefying liver. When used for 

 ground-bait they attract fish to the locality, but 

 fish easily distinguish the nice, clear, well scoured 

 gentle on your hook from them, and will take it 

 in preference. They are a great nuisance to 

 carry, as they will eat their way through the 

 stoutest bags, and crawl about in every direction. 

 A bag of them in a railway carriage will furnish 

 very pleasant travelling companions. 



The caddis, or straw-bait. I have a better 

 opinion of this bait than the generality of anglers 

 have. I have killed a great many trout with it, 

 particularly by placing it on the hook in conjunc- 

 tion with an artificial fly. Though the gentle 



