318 NOTES ON FISH AN.D FISHING. 



For, as Dr. Badham quaintly says, " A gudgeon is as in- 

 capable of refusing a lively young brandling when it falls 

 in bis way, as a lion a succulent kid." 



But to the credit of our little fish, let it be added tbat 

 be is not only a bold biter, but a bold fighter when 

 hooked. As John Williamson, an angler-poet, 1740, 

 (whose name, by the way, I did not include in my list of 

 such poets in the Note on Pishing Literature), says, — 



" Tho' little art the gudgeon may suffice, 

 His sport is good, and with the greatest vies." 



For his size he is as strong and vigorous as a barbel, and 

 quite after the style of a barbel, which, 1 hold, is the most 

 powerful and most resistant of capture of all our fresh- 

 water fish ; he makes his rushes and persistent borings 

 downwards with a pluck and endurance which excite the 

 angler's admiration. Indeed, if we multiplied, say a 3 oz. 

 gudgeon up to the weight of a 31b. barbel, adding a pro- 

 portionate increase of fighting power, I doubt whether any 

 ordinary barbel tackle could hold him. 



Let no one, therefore, despise a day's gudgeon-fishing. 

 Where is there a happier party in the wide world than 

 paterfamilias, materfamilias, and a lot of master and miss- 

 familiases in a Thames punt engaged in this sport ? I must 

 confess I don't like children in a punt, for the simple 

 reason that I am in a state of continuous trepidation lest 

 one or other should fall overboard ; but if I wish to make 

 young people supremely happy, I take them for a day's 

 gudgeoning expedition. Nor need full-grown, bearded 

 men think lightly of gudgeon-fishing. There are many 

 worse recipes for " spending a happy day " than taking a 

 Thames punt and giving up oneself body and soul to this 



