THE TENCH. 257 



ing (to speak generally and unscientifically) in a carp 

 show a higher development than in almost all other fish. 

 Thus, as I have said, we might expect the carp to be a 

 particularly intellectual and subtle fish ; and, of course, 

 the older he get's, the more are his mental faculties ex- 

 panded. Eightly does Walton say, " The carp is accounted 

 the water-fox for his cunning." 



Is it not, then, almost, if not quite, a hopeless task to 

 set oneself — to catch big carp ? Anglers and angler- 

 authors admit it is a most difficult one by the various and 

 almost numberless expedients they suggest. Here is one 

 which would I think exhaust the patience of even the most 

 patient fisherman : — • 



" A correspondent not long since wrote to me for advice. He had a 

 pond in which were many large carp, and although he had angled for 

 them in due season, from February to October, during seven years, he 

 had not succeeded in taking them. I advised him to line with hurdles 

 the bank of the pond at the spots where he meant to fish ; to ground- 

 bait those spots with red worms, gentles, and especially with sweet 

 paste, for three or four days ; to then take his rod, and, supporting it 

 on a bifurcated prop (cut off the branch of a tree) inserted in the bank 

 behind the hurdles, to place on his line a hook broken off at the bend — 

 that is, without barb or sharp point ; to bait the harmless hook with 

 sweet paste, and to sink it nearly to the bottom of the already ground- 

 baited water. The carp will soon take this bait ; and, finding they can 

 do so with impunity, they will become bolder hourly. Replacing the 

 bait every time it is nibbled off, and continuing to do so for three or 

 four days (.' .'), commence then angling in earnest with the same 

 rod and line, but with a barbed hook, baited exactly as before, come 

 behind the hurdle, and with very light float angle cautiously." 



Is the " game " thus played " worth the candle " ? 



Mr. Francis and Mr. Pennell both seem to agree in 

 recommending that the bait should he on the ground some 

 inches (say six) from the perpendicular gut bottom, which 



