166 ANGLING. 



CHAPTER XX. 

 THE FISHERMAN'S CALENDAR. 



AFTER describing the angler and his equipment, what to 

 fish for, and where, the question naturally arises, When are 

 we to fish? We have known tyros, and even people who 

 ought to have known better, rush to the river side on the 

 first fine day with their rods, creels, and tackle, heedless 

 that the fish were out of season, and consequently unwhole- 

 some. I will therefore review the angler's year, and show 

 what to fish for in each month, in answer to the question 

 of when to fish. 



JANUARY. Chill and inhospitable as January some- 

 times is, it is one that sometimes affords a little sport to 

 the angler on a mild and open day. Jack and perch will 

 bite freely at a live bait if you can procure one. Minnows, 

 which may be caught by thousands when you do not want 

 them, are somewhat scarce now, and without them you 

 may fish for perch in vain. If, however, you search in a 

 quiet retired nook in the creeks and brooks, you may find 

 them ; but you will have to do it quietly. You may find 

 them in an out-of-the-way hole, and secure them by means 

 of a hand-net ; nay, I am not certain that the minnow- 

 bottle would not answer the purpose best. If you are bent 

 upon securing the sharp-set jack, by all means secure a fair- 

 sized dace rather than a gudgeon, it will be seen better in 

 the murky waters. Towards the latter end of the month, 

 the finest roach may be taken. A fine red worm will be 

 found the most tempting bait if you know where there are 

 any red worms to be found. Boiled pearl-barley, allowed 



