THE CARP. 



Caep deposit their spawn in May in shallow retired water where 

 there are weeds. From this time until July they are out of 

 season and should not be molested. The Carp is a good fish, 

 and should be well protected in its wea!k and unconditioned 

 state. The best months for Carp fishing are February, March, 

 and April, July, August, and September. The latter three are 

 most preferable, as Carp will not bite in sharp cold weather. 

 They are delicate fish and cannot stand the cold, for even in the 

 hottest weather in summer they will not venture into the rapid 

 water of rivers but remain in gentle streams. Carp can only 

 be fished for in the first three months when the weather is fine 

 and open ; they will then be found in deep still water. Carp 

 are fonder of ponds, lakes, and stagnant waters than rivers, and 

 may be found in almost every pond in England, and in some they 

 attain to a very large size. I know several ponds full of large 

 Carp, but they are preserved, and those who angle for them do 

 not understand the art. The Carp is shy and crafty, and the 

 angler must be possessed of much skill and patience that can 

 successfully fish the rascal. I know gentlemen who have the 

 privilege of fishing these Carp ponds, but always with such bad 

 fortune that they call the Carp " Old Fox." He will refuse all 

 sorts of baits, and defeat every attempt to catch him, and, 

 apparently, glorying in his superior sagacity, vrill maliciously 

 sport and leap around the boat, roll over the line, and defy the 



