THE BARBEL 



127 



whioli hang about his mouth ; and when he is young 

 and very small, he is called in France "Barbillon." 

 "With these beards or wattles," says "Walton, "he is 

 able to take such a hold of weeds and moss that the 

 sharpest floods cannot move him from his position. He 

 seems to have the power of rooting into the mud, and, 

 pig-like, wallowing in the mire and weeds at the bottom 

 of deep holes, and under overhanging banks." 



This fish feeds on flies, bees, bugs, wasps, maggots, 

 worms, slugs, snails, and similar kinds of bait; but 

 anglers have invented or adopted various other baits to 

 entrap this wary, shy-biting fish, which we shall soon 

 notice. 



The eggs of the barbel are supposed to be injurious ; 

 and an opinion once prevailed in the north of Europe, 

 that they who partook of them copiously would " shrink 

 up in great danger of life." 



The barbel is a strong and powerful fish, and strong 

 and powerful tackle is commonly recommended in 

 angling for him. This is not necessary. The same 

 tackle that will kill the salmon will, in skilful hands, 

 bring the most powerful barbel to the creel, and 

 therefore the angler who uses light tackle with this 

 cautious fish has a much better chance of deceiving 

 him than one who employs a coarser sort. The fishing 

 materials suggested for carp and tench will be found, 

 under all circumstances, the best adapted for this 

 description of fish. 



The baits recommended are worms, tallow greaves, 

 slugs, gentles, grubs, and bits of cheese. To these the 

 French anglers add maggots found in dead rats, leeches, 

 meat, cheese used in cooking maccaroni, called La 

 Gruyere, and the yolk of eggs, all mixed up together 

 to a proper consistency. The common red -worm, 

 when clean and tough, is as good a bait as any of 

 these mentioned, and will be most effective if allowed 

 to trail on the ground; indeed, in barbel-fishing, the 

 bait should always touch the bottom. 



Eunning water is preferable to any other for the 

 sport, and a large shot, cased in sand-coloured leather. 



