46 BOTTOM FISHING. 



July and ends with September. The following is 

 the system mainly resorted to upon the Thames and 

 Trent. A punt is moored in a moderate flowing 

 stream, four or perhaps five feet in depth. The 

 bottom is disturbed by a large and heavy metal 

 rake, brought for the purpose, when the fish (which 

 are gregarious, going in large shoals), congregate in 

 great numbers in the water thus discoloured to feed 

 upon the grubs and larvae of insects. But little skill 

 is needed to catch this fish. Its excessive gullibility 

 is well known. The meaning expressed by being 

 " gudgeoned," is, as everybody knows, being easily 

 deceived. Poets, too, adopt the bold little gudgeon 

 as an analogy to convey the same impression, as 

 Gay serenely sings 



"What gudgeons are we men, 



Every woman's easy prey ; 

 Though we felt the hook, again 



We bite, and they betray ! " 



Notwithstanding all this, the finest tackle is essential 

 to moderate success, and a nine or ten foot rod, stiff 

 and light. The telescope Japanese bamboo rods 

 answer well for these fish, though we cannot com- 

 mend their use for fish of heavier calibre. The 

 finest possible line should be used ; as to whether 

 it be twist or plait is immaterial. A light cork, or 

 better still, a small quill float, and small No. 12 hook, 

 complete the equipment Some fishermen advocate 

 the use of extra strong tackle to meet exceptional 

 emergencies ; as for instance, when angling for 

 gudgeon they will employ a hook and line equal to 

 landing a heavy tench, perch, or chub. That this 



