48 BOTTOM FISHING. 



sufficient quantities, though they are occasionally 

 very annoying to the fly-fisher for trout ; indeed, 

 they are to be taken in large numbers by a gaudily 

 dressed fly, towards the end of the summer. The 

 small palmers (red, grey, and black), bumble, and 

 red tags, etc., are the description that find most favour 

 in the eyes of this fish, though sometimes they are 

 by no means partial in this respect. 



To the fly-angler for dace, we would observe that 

 when these fish are fastidious in rising, a gentle, or 

 a wasp-grub, or even a tiny strip of flannel, when 

 placed so as to hide the hook, will render the thing 

 effective ; but the usual mode of angling for these 

 fish is by bottom fishing. The tackle and hooks 

 hereafter recommended for roach are equally well 

 adapted for dace fishing, and as both are found upon 

 the same swims, the angler frequently extracts a 

 mixed bag. Like the gudgeon, the dace is a bold 

 biter, and is sharp, often incredibly so, in discharging 

 the lure if not struck speedily. It is unlike the 

 roach in the latter characteristic. As regards game- 

 ness the dace has considerable repute. Bait fishing 

 for dace is mostly followed, and is most productive in 

 winter. His flesh is not, however, much appreciated 

 for the table. For live bait fishing for pike the dace 

 is valued, and justly so. 



THE ROACH (Genus rutilus) is rightly awarded no 

 mean position in angling literature. This cannot be 

 said to be on account of its weight and size, or its 

 edible qualities, but purely because of the skill requi- 

 site for its capture. The early authors we know write 



