l8 OBSERVATIONS 



your tine. The best baits are gudgeons and 

 dace, of a middling size, if these are not to 

 be had, roach, bleak, small trout, or salmon 

 fry will do very well ; I know some anglers 

 who prefer salmon fry, but these are only 

 to be procured in the River Trent in the 

 spring, and though I have tried them repeat- 

 edly never found them equal to dace or 

 gudgeons. In order to bait your hook, you 

 must be provided with a fish-needle (which 

 may be had at any of the shops) they have 

 open eyes and are of various sizes ; put the 

 needle in at the mouth of the bait, and out 

 at the middle of the tail, drawing the gimp 

 and hook after it, fixing the point of the hook 

 near the eye ; some sew up the mouth of the 

 bait, it will however be necefsary to tie the 

 tail close to the gimp, not only to keep it in a 

 proper position, but to prevent the tail catch- 

 ing against weeds and roots in the water ;. 

 the hook thus baited, hang upon your line, 

 which ought to have a noose large enough 

 to admit the bait, and will save time and 

 trouble. Thus ecjuipt, drop your bait gen- 



