43 



Barbel deposit their spawn in May, under weeds, and in a 

 gentle stream with a gravelly bottom. After spawning they 

 lie in a weak, sickly, and torpid state for a week or two, but 

 they should not be molested for a month. I am sorry to say I 

 know that many are taken in this state by the net, spear, and 

 other foul means ; but the genuine Angler would scorn to do this, 

 and those who could be guilty of such cruelty ought to be 

 severely punished. The Barbel, as- soon as he has gained a little 

 strength, makes his way to the sharpest streams he can find, to 

 scour and clean himself. In the latter end of June or begin- 

 ning of July, whUe he is in rapid streams, he affords the Angler 

 first rate sport, but it requires a good stomach and a deal of 

 patience to fish such places with the float. Towards the latter 

 end of July, or beginning of August, he returns into deeper 

 water, and remains there all the season excepting on bright hot 

 days, and when there is a rise of water, when of course he 

 takes to the shallow streams. Wherever you once find Barbel, 

 if in a scouring place, you may catch them more or less through- 

 out the season, till October, when the frosty nights put a stop 

 to Barbel fishing in the streams. The only chance you have 

 then is to fish the deepest water you can find ; or wherever 

 there is a shelving bank, or a deep cover of any sort, that 

 win make him a home for the winter months. He wiU. re- 

 main in such places up to March, unless a rise of water or 

 flood comes to force him out against his will. My opinion is 

 that Barbel lie in a torpid state in the coldest winter months, 

 and feed but little, and I think it useless attempting to find out 

 a bait that wUl catch him as well in winter as in summer. I 

 have tried this for many years, but without success, and will 

 now give it up and leave it for some one else to discover. 



The best months for Barbel fishing are July, August, and Sep- 

 tember, and October if the weather is fine and the water clear. 

 April is also a good month if the weather is fine and warm, and 

 the water is low and clear. I have had some good Barbel fishing 

 in April, and I have also taken them freely up to the Mth or 15th 

 of May, but never later before spawning. But in the season 



