THE ROACH.* 



The carp has been named the " water-fox," on 

 account of his subtlety, and the roach the " water- 

 sheep," by reason of his silliness. This fish makes 

 good soup, though very bony, and otherwise not 

 much esteemed. The season for roach fishing in the 

 Thames, where the species attains to a larger size 

 than elsewhere, commences about the end of August. 

 " Next, let me tell you," says Walton, " you shall 

 fish for this roach in winter with paste or gentles, 

 in April with worms or caddis, in the very hot 

 months with little white snails, or with flies under 

 water ; for he seldom takes them at the top, though 

 the dace will. In many of the hot months roaches 

 may be also caught thus : Take a May-fly or ant- 

 fly ; sink him with a little lead to the bottom, near 

 the piles or posts of a bridge, or near to any posts 

 of a wear I mean any deep place where roaches 



* Leuciscus rutilus, Cuv. Cyprinus rutihts, Linn. 



