58 ANGLING. 



weather is colder, the bleak may be taken by a paternoster 

 line, made somewhat similar to that described in fishing 

 for gudgeon, but without a bullet. The hooks should be 

 baited with gentles, and the angler should choose a spot 

 near a rapid run of water, where the current flows quick 

 from a sluice, and near the whirling eddies of a mill-tail. 

 They bite freely, and when gentles are scarce a little bit of 

 white leather from a kid glove may be placed on a hook 

 on which a small artificial fly has been whipped. The 

 float, if one is used, should be light and small. They are 

 socked similar to sprats, which they much resemble. 



The Dace, like the minnow, belongs to the carp tribe, 

 and is equally reckless. He is somewhat elegant in shape, 

 and he is one of the best fish for the young angler. He is 

 not particular as to the bait you offer him ; he will spring 

 at the natural or artificial fly at the surface of the water, 

 and take the fine red brandling, your paste, or gentle, at 

 the bottom. The tackle must, however, be as fine as that 

 recommended for roach-fishing. He varies somewhat in 

 size, and when large wUl tax all the skill of the youthful 

 fisherman. He is gregarious, loves the society of his fel- 

 lows, and delights in the scours and rapid currents of most 

 rivers. He loves the free moving waters of a mill-tail, or 

 the smart stream of a narrow arched bridge. The junction 

 of two streams aflFords him a suitable home. The dace 

 spawn early in the spring, and in May they are in condi- 

 tion. They seem almost to fly through the water, so rapid 

 are their movements. They will bite freely at the artificial 

 red and black palmers or spiders, particularly if the point 

 of the hook is tipped with a live gentle. They afford good 

 sport with the natural fly, as described in " dipping." The 

 eflsh-fly, house-fly, or ant-fly may be used. In hot weather 



