136 ANGLING 



Eoach spawn about June, and they may be fished for 

 two or three weeks after this process is consummated. 

 They cast their spawn in narrow, weedy, grassy places, 

 and are very prolific. In the ovarium of an ordinary- 

 sized roach were counted 125,000 eggs. 



At a certain season — the spawning season — roach have 

 been observed to migrate like the salmon, the trout, etc. 

 etc. " In the spring," says a French author, " the roach 

 mount up the rivers in a very singular order. The 

 males and females separate themselves so as to form 

 distinct troops. One troop of males takes the lead, a 

 troop of females follows without mingling with the 

 other, and at last a second troop of males closes the 

 march. They go very close together j and if any 

 accident separates them on their route, they quickly 

 form their battalions, and resume their march when the 

 danger is passed." We never noticed this habit our- 

 selves ; we never heard of any sportsman who did ; and 

 we never before saw any account of it in any book ; it 

 may, however, be true, although it savours something of 

 the fanciful. 



The roach attains a large size. They are said to have 

 been killed in England of the weight of two pounds ; 

 but in many Continental waters they reach a larger size 

 than this, and give the angler a good deal of trouble, as 

 they require delicate tackle to deceive them. The roach 

 is by no means the stupid, reckless fish some represent 

 him to be ; on the contrary, he demands a fair amount 

 of skill and caution, and affords very respectable sport 

 when of good size and in full season. 



Walton calls this fish the " water-sheep," on account 

 of his simplicity and foolishness. However this may be 

 applicable to the small fry of roach during the summer, 

 and in turbid and thick waters, the larger fish are 

 unquestionably timid, shy, cunning fellows, undeserving 

 the reproach cast upon them by so high an authority. 

 It is, indeed, very difl&cult to catch a large roach in 

 bright water, unless you use very fine tackle, and care- 

 fully keep yourself out of sight. 



The rod for this fish should be light, supple, and 



