Favourite Haunts of Fish 301 



are as dangerous to all kinds of game as any weasel, crow, 

 or hawk. 



Tench lie in the deep muddy holes. "With the excep- 

 tion of the tench, the greater number of the fish in this 

 mere haunt the sandy and stony shores. When the lake 

 is full there are broad stretches of water which are shallow 

 and where the bottom is mud. You may look here in 

 vain for fish : of course there are some ; but as you glide 

 over noiselessly in a punt, gazing down into the water as 

 you drift before the gentle summer breeze, you will not 

 see any of those shoals that frequent the other shores 

 where the bottom is clearer. Other favourite places are 

 where the brooks run in and where there are sudden 

 shallows in the midst of deep water. The contour and 

 character of the bottom seem to affect the habits of fish to 

 a large extent ; consequently those who are aware of the 

 form of the bottom are visually much more successful as 

 fishermen. 



