CARP FISHING. 295 



quill-float, that will carry two small shot, and bait with a well-scoured 

 red worm. 



" Now plumb the depth with the greatest nicety, and let your bait 

 just touch, or all but touch, the bottom ; but you are not yet pre- 

 pared ; for a forked stick must be fixed into the bank, on which you 

 must let your rod rest, so that the float will fall over the exact spot 

 you have plumbed. Now throw in a suificient quantity of ground- 

 bait, of bread and brand worked into a paste, and made into little 

 balls ; or, in want of these, throw in the garbage of chickens or ducks ; 

 and all this is to be done on the evening of the day before you intend 

 to fish. 



" The next morning, if in summer, be at the pond-side where you 

 have baited and plumbed your depth, by four o'clock at least, and, 

 taking your rod and line, which is already fixed to the exact depth, 

 bait with a small, bright, red worm ; then approach the water cau- 

 tiously, keeping out of sight as much as possible, and drop your bait 

 exactly over the spot you plumbed over night ; then rest part of your 

 rod on the forked stick, and the bottom of it on the ground. 



" You must now retire a few paces, keeping entirely out of sight, 

 but still near enough to observe your float ; when you perceive a bite, 

 give a little time ; indeed, it is better to wait till you see the float 

 begin to move off, before you strike, which you may then do smartly ; 

 and, as the Carp is a leather-mouthed fish, if you manage him well, 

 there is no fear of losing him, unless the pond is very weedy. Be 

 careful to have your line free, that, if a large fish, he may run out 

 some of your line before you attempt to turn him ; as he is a very 

 strong fish, and your tackle rather light, you must give him careful 

 play before you land him. 



" The extreme shyness of the large Carp make all this somewhat 

 tedious process necessary to ensure success ; but I can safely assert, 

 that I scarcely ever took this trouble in vain. Various baits are 

 recommended for Carp — such as green peas, parboiled, pastes of all 

 descriptions, gentles, caterpillars, &c. ; but 1 have found the red worm 

 the best, and next to this, the gentle, and plain bread-paste. Those 

 who prefer a sweet paste may dip the bread in honey. Paste and 

 gentle will answer better in autumn than spring. April and May are, 

 in my opinion, the best months for Carp fishing ; and very early in 



