70 COARSE FISH. 



weather be fine and warm, they are to be seen, 

 hterally in hundreds, on the gravel beds, the 

 largest numbers- in some two feet of water. The 

 sight must be seen in the very early morning 

 to be realised, for the whole shallow seems alive 

 with fish. To the trout-fisher, the chub is a great 

 nuisance, greedily taking his spinning or live bait, 

 and repeatedly awaking false hopes. To a great 

 extent, as the season advances, chub leave the 

 weirs, though sport is to be had with the fly on the 

 weir shallows well into July ; but chub are not in 

 good condition until about September. July and 

 August are the best months for fly-fishing under 

 the boughs. 



A wmter or spring chub is a different creature 

 from a summer chub, firm and strong, and 

 affording far better sport, though I can say but 

 little in favour of his edible qualities. To catch 

 many chub, special tackle is requisite, and a full 

 knowledge of the water will add many a big 

 fellow to your bag. After trying different swims, 

 the angler in time discovers those that reward him 

 best, and he knows, almost to a few inches, the spot 

 in which he will get his fish. 



Preference may be given to a greenheart rod foi 

 punt-fishing, and a cane rod, with green- 

 heart top, for bank swims. A punt-rod 

 should measure about ten feet, while a length of 

 twelve to fourteen feet will be found serviceable for 

 fishing from the bank. Holroyd, of Gracechurch 

 Street, worked out a pattern punt-rod from my 

 directions with which I have killed hundreds of 

 chub. There is plenty of power in it ; it will hook 

 a chub, and hold him, at times most important ; 

 for I have a most vivid recollection of some of the 



