44 OBSERVATIONS 



them in fishing for gudgeons, by going in 

 and stirring up the sand and gravel. I never 

 caught one with a minnow, probably those 

 I used were too large ; very small minnows 

 with hooks proportioned to their size, might 

 be tried with some prospect of succefs, 

 though I do not recommend this bait,, not- 

 withstanding Walton's authority. 



FLOUNDERS 



Spawn in June and July, and are in sea-- 

 son the rest of the year ; they are to be found 

 near eddies where the stream is gentle, with 

 a gravel or sandy bottom, especially if there 

 is a gentle declivity, where they delight to 

 sun themselves. They bite all day, but best 

 in warm weather with a little wind ;, the bait 

 for them is a lob-worm well scoured, your 

 hook must be as small as you can conveni- 

 ently bait, and you must fish at the bottom ; 

 if you use a float, the lead to poise it being at 

 the bottom, it will lie flat on the water ; when 

 it cocks up, you may conclude a flounder 

 has hold of the bait, ease the rod for he will 



