HOW TO FISH FOR CHUB. 61 



he should be struck firmly and delicately at the slightest 

 nibble. Pastes are largely used to attract roach, and good 

 sport is sometimes obtained by this means. Koach seem 

 to like sweet paste, and that made with a little honey, gin, 

 and new bread, is often successful when plain paste fails to 

 attract. When the fish are on the feed, a plain paste, pro- 

 vided it is made with clean hands, will be found all that is 

 necessary. I have sometimes found that the addition of a 

 little essence of anchovies to the paste have a killing effect 

 when all other means failed. The principle of success in 

 roach fishing, and with the majority of other members of 

 the carp tribe, is to have fine tackle, a delicate hook, 

 a sharp eye for a nibble, and plenty of patience. The 

 home of the roach is on the deep side of streams, and 

 under bridges. 



The CHUB is to be found in nearly all our English rivers. 

 He is a long, powerful fish, not very attractive in a gusta- 

 tive sense, but tolerably handsome-looking, a bold feeder 

 when he thinks nobody is looking, and not very fastidious 

 as to what he eats. He haunts deep holes, lies at the 

 bottom of old walls, and likes overhanging banks. He 

 spawns early, and is in season again about May. He has 

 what the phrenologists call large inhabitativeness, and may 

 generally be found in the same spot year after year. In 

 summer weather, where no trout stream is near, the chub 

 affords some tolerable sport. He will rise freely at an arti- 

 ficial fly. Red spiders and palmers of various colours seem 

 to be his favourites. Imitate a humble-bee or a blow-fly 

 and they will rise freely. In the evening their fondness is 

 for moths. In dipping for them, the grasshopper, beetle, 

 and cockchaffer may be used, and even a butterfly will 

 not be rejected. The rod must be like a fly-fisher's, 



