The Fishes of the Lower Wharfe Basin. 223 
have no means of ascertaining this. As the species is dormant 
during the spawning period generally assigned to the Salmonoid 
races, it is quite harmless in a trout stream. 
THE GUDGEON is distributed throughout the Wharfe Valley, 
and may be found as far up as Grassington. In shape it 
resembles the Barbel, but never attains a greater weight 
than a few ounces. It possesses one barbel at the corner of 
the mouth as against a total of four in its greater prototype. 
It grows to a larger size in lakes or ponds, than in the streams, 
and can be taken on the rod during most of the year. At 
spawning time, the gudgeon collects in large shoals and can be 
readily caught on the shallows with a small net, and often by 
the hand only. Cooked in a similar manner to Whitebait, 
they make an excellent and edible dish. They are in great 
demand among Pike fishermen as a live bait, and on the 
Eden is more commonly used than any other in “ spinning’ 
for salmon. It is readily caught with a small red worm, or 
with gentles ; more especially if the water is naturally, or even 
artificially discoloured or disturbed. 
THE Roacu is perhaps the best known fish of any in the 
British Isles. It lives in association with Bream and 
Rudd, and others of its kind, often producing hybrids with 
the former. In suitable waters it increases rapidly in numbers, 
the fish then remaining small and apparently ill fed. The 
Roach seldom grows to a greater weight than two pounds, 
large ones usually. being taken from rivers. In this country 
the roach spawns in May, and in ponds even as late as June. 
The eggs form excellent food for the Trout, and Pike will 
take the young fish readily. The Roach is more frequently 
met with in the sluggish portions of the Wharfe, though 
above Collingham it is rarely taken in great quantities. Though 
Wharfe Roach never reach the size of Thames fish, they are 
well proportioned and brilliantly coloured. The best time of 
the year in which to angle for them is during the autumn and 
winter months, and baits such as gentles, paste, etc., are 
generally used. 
THE CHUB can be distinguished from the Roach by its 
larger head and the wider gape of the mouth. It is a powerful 
fish, and specimens have been taken in the Trent weighing 
as much as seven pounds. At certain times of the year it can 
be taken with the minnow either employed as a live bait or 
by “ spinning.”” The Chub is very shy, and caution has to be 
exercised in its capture. It spawns in May, and afterwards 
continues to frequent the scours or rapid streams, and feeds 
on worms, insects, etc., in the swims. Chub live for eight or 
nine years, and at the third year will weigh from three-quarters 
to one pound. From the third year its growth is rapid, more 
especially if the food supply be plentiful. Its appetite is 
Igt3 June r, 
