98 



paste, but the float should be smaller, and the hook No. 10, 

 It does not matter much about the colour of the water, so long 

 as it is not too thick. Por my own part, I prefer it being a 

 little coloured. If it is so, a water of three feet deep will be 

 quite sufficient. I should recommend you to take both baits 

 with you for summer fishing, for the fish will sometimes take 

 one and then the other, and the change will often work a difference. 

 Select a water nearly still, for if there is a moTe either one way 

 or the other it wiU be sufficient. Get the depth, allowing the 

 bait to swim two inches from the bottom. Sit down of course 

 to Eoach fish, unless you are fishing a great distance from you. 

 Chew a small piece of white bread and blow it in, if you can, to 

 the place you intend fishing, and repeat this every five minutes. 

 Ton will find this to answer the purpose better than throwing 

 in two or three lumps the size of a potatoe. If the fish don't 

 come on to bite in twenty minutes, I should advise you to seek 

 another place ; but before you leave, see that you have been 

 fishing the place properly. One little manoeuvre will make a 

 difference. Alter your float a little higher or a little lower, fish 

 closer in or further out ; throw in a little more ground bait in 

 another place. Give the place a fair trial, then if you find the 

 fish do not bite seek another. White paste is an excellent bait 

 for Eoach all through the winter till April. 



The worm is more suited for winter fishing for Eoach than 

 for summer fishing, although I know several places on the Trent 

 where Eoach take the worm well in August and September, 

 but I consider October and November as good or even better 

 than any other two months in the year for Eoach fishing with 

 the worm. I have, however, caught Eoach in eyery month of 

 the winter when the water was as clear as gin, and freeziug 

 sharp, and also when there has been a rise of water and coloured. 

 In winter if you fish when the water has risen, it must be when 

 it is caused by rain, and not by " snow-broth" as it is called. It 

 matters not how fine the water is, so long as snow remains in 

 it fishing is useless. If the water be risen, and a little coloured, 

 seek a gentle swim, with a sandy or gravelly bottom, and from 



