THIS BAEBEL. 271 



bodily, which penetrates ad ima medulla, and, as the 

 Devonshire folks say, makes one " cream " from top 

 to toe. 



The great difficulty with the barbel-fisher is to deter- 

 mine when to strike — a matter on which no definite rales 

 can be laid down, as this depends partly on the theory of 

 the angler and partly on the humour the fish are in on 

 any particular day. This, however, is certain, that when 

 two sharp definite tugs have been given, or when the line, 

 lightly held between the finger and thumb, is subjected 

 to a sudden and prolonged " draw/' you may safely 

 strike, and strike with determination. Beyond this I 

 shall say no more on the disputed question of "How to 

 strike,'" whether by a sharp jerk or by a " sudden and 

 prolonged draw " corresponding with the occasional ac- 

 tion of the fish just mentioned ; but the barbel-fisher 

 must remember that he has a "lead" to move before the 

 biting fish gets the full benefit of his strike. 



Nor shall I enter into the vexed question of ground- 

 baiting for barbel, whether it should be done at some 

 considerable interval before fishing a swim, or proceed 

 simultaneously with the fishing. For learned discussions 

 on this point I would refer my readers to the pages of 

 Mr. Francis and Mr. Pennell, both of whom have dis- 

 cussed the subject, and, if called upon, are capable of 

 writing as long disquisitions on it as Bishop Middleton 

 has done on the Greek particle, and as Mr. Gladstone 

 can do on anything or nothing. To record my own 

 experience, I would say that I have had fair days' barbel- 

 fishing, without previous baiting, only throwing in ground- 

 bait in the shape of worms, and that sparingly, as I fished. 

 As to " previous " ground-baiting, I prefer expending my 



