iv A BRACE OF TENCH 61 



cork that marks the whereabouts of the 

 angler's neglected worm. 



A cork float with crimson tip is very 

 necessary to proper angling for tench ; it 

 supplies the one touch of colour that is 

 wanting in the landscape, and it is a satisfy- 

 ing thing to look upon. A severely practical 

 mind might argue that it is as visible to 

 the fish as to the fisherman, and might 

 suggest a fragment of porcupine quill as 

 being less ostentatious. But, however one 

 regards it, tench fishing is a lengthy occupa- 

 tion, and must be approached with leisurely 

 mind. The sordid yearning for bites should 

 not be put in the balance against artistic 

 effect. Besides, it may be said of tench 

 more emphatically than of most other fish : 

 if they are going to feed they are, and if they 

 are not they most certainly are not. As a rule 

 they are not, and their feelings are therefore 

 not so important as the angler's. 



In this canal, at any rate, their feelings 

 receive but the scantest consideration. Even- 

 ing by evening the villagers come forth, 

 each armed with a bean-pole, to which are 

 attached a stout window cord, the bung of 

 a beer-cask, and a huge hook on the stoutest 



