THE ROACH. 301 



traditional single horsehair bottom, but gut can be got 

 with a little trouble as fine as hair, and it does not " mag- 

 nify" in the water — certainly not if it is slightly stained. 

 It is a matter of great importance that your float is suited 

 to the strength of the stream ; and in slow and clear waters 

 a " self-cocking " one is often used with effect, as you then 

 get rid of the line of " chain-shot, " which makes the bait 

 sink too rapidly, and also frightens the fish by its unnatural 

 appearance. Strike sharply, shortly, and decisively, but 

 not violently, directly the top of the float is level with the 

 water, the top never being much more than an inch above 

 it, except when rutilus is troubling it. No slack line 

 between your float and the top of the rod, or you are no 

 artistic roach-fisher. 



Use ground-bait but moderately, and if possible bait a 

 swim or two the day before you fish it. Gentles, paste 

 (I don't believe in scented pastes), and in the winter 

 brandling worms as well, are your baits ; and remember, 

 there is a great art in baiting. Your hook should always 

 be well covered but not overloaded, and don't be too idle 

 to put on a fresh bait pretty frequently. Sodden gentles 

 and worms have no attraction for a roach of taste and 

 education. Good roach are often taken in the Thames 

 when you are legering or " Nottingham " fishing with a 

 lobworm. The bait should be about three inches, or less, 

 from the bottom in a river, but not so deep in a pond. 

 Some anglers fish on or as near the bottom as they can. 

 I don't hold with them. It is all very well to fish on the 

 bottom for barbel and gudgeon. Their mouths look 

 downwards, and are on the bottom. The roach has a deep 

 belly, and cannot take a bait at the bottom without stand- 

 ing on his head, and this I do not think he is in the 



