186 
THE EISHING GAZETTE 
pVlARCH 18, 1893 
THE BOOK OF THE ROACH. 
By the Late John Geeville Fennell. 
Edited and Revised by John Bickeedyke. 
{Continued from page 132.) 
CHAPTER YllL—continued. 
G-rotind-Bait. —We have elsewhere remarked 
upon the great diversity of opinion which exists 
in different localities as to the methods to be 
adopted by anglers when pursuing their favourite 
sport. This is especially the case in reference 
to ground-bait, the most opposite notions as to 
its composition and use prevailing around the 
metropolis and in distant counties. The London 
angler, for instance, would as soon think of setting 
forth unprovided with ground-bait, or the assur¬ 
ance of finding it ready for him, as he would of 
leaving home without his tackle and gentle-box. 
Nor, when he had arrived at his swim, would he 
for one moment dream of wetting his line, unless 
to plumb the depth, before he had cast in sufii- 
cient of this ground-bait to draw the fish together. 
And this practice is absolutely necessary in those 
waters—notably the Thames and Lea—in which 
the custom has obtained for years past; and 
thereby certain places in' which the fish have 
been regularly fed are as regularly frequented by 
the angler. In fact, it would be almost useless to 
fish at any other spot, unless it were ground- 
baited some time previously. [On the Upper 
Thames, so far as my experience goes, the best 
sport is obtained in new swims. The fish get very 
shy in oft-frequented swims.—J. B.] Mr. Salter 
(who was an excellent bottom fisher) very justlyob- 
serves that “ if, however, ground-bait is neglected 
by the inexperienced, or avoided by the idle 
fisher, little success will attend his efforts in 
bottom or float fishing.” Of course, he means in 
those waters in which the fish are few in number 
or have been long accustomed to be thus fed. 
And it may be further observed, that it is chiefly 
by the judicious use of ground-baits, and by fish¬ 
ing at a proper depth, that one angler is more 
successful than another, although fishing with 
the same baits and within a few yards of each 
other. 
“Nor is this surprising,” remarks Blaine, 
“ w'hen the rationale of the action of ground-bait 
is considered. Fishes naturally congregate where 
they have been led by any singularity of appear¬ 
ance in the waters they inhabit; thus they are on 
the alert, and take every kind of bait eagerly 
when a flood is coming down; conscious that 
food of different kinds is forced along by tbe 
sweeping current, they are on the look-out to 
receive it; and thus, also, when ground-bait is 
thrown down it attracts the attention of the fish, 
and draws them together; and although their 
naturally roving disposition may carry them 
away again, fresh appetite renders their absence 
short, and they instinctively return to the scene 
of former plenty.” But, it must be remembered, 
that the principle of ground-baiting may be 
abused, and judgment ought to be exercised to 
determine when and how large a supply is re¬ 
quired, so as to attract the fish without glutting 
them. For the same reason the ground-bait 
ought always to be of a less tempting descrip¬ 
tion than that used upon the hook. If fish are 
biting pretty well, be satisfied to leave things 
alone; if but slowly, and other causes are 
obviously at work to prevent their feeding, it 
is folly to throw in any more ground-bait, as 
it would only accumulate, and enable tbe fish to 
glut themselves as soon as they became disposed 
to feed. 
A prevailing opinion exists that the Thames 
puntsmen over ground-bait, and they certainly 
do so to a very great extent, if quantity be con¬ 
sidered ; but when the composition of the 
“doomps” furnished by most of these men is 
taken into account-—that is, in comparison with 
the ground-bait you would make yourself—the 
puntsman’s three-parts clay, seasoned with a little 
bran, a few pigs’ potatoes, and sometimes a little 
.sour bread; your own, a quartern loaf, pollard, 
bran, and a small piece of clay, or a stone, to sink 
a ball of it, the fish may need greater bulk in the 
former case to attract them at all. 
On the principle that from memory fish will 
repa ir to spots where they have before found 
food in considerable quantities, it is the practice 
of all experienced anglers not only to ground-bait 
during the time they fish, but also the evening 
before, if possible, which is sure to detain the fish, 
or bring them again in the morning to revisit the 
place; and it collects into one focus those fish 
whichotherwisewould radiate everywhere around. 
So convinced are anglers of the advantage of 
a previous evening’s ground-baiting that many 
who cannot be present themselves, send or give 
directions to have it done for them. When fish 
are very scarce, it is politic to ground-bait a 
place for several successive days previously to 
angling, to give the distant fish a habit of coming 
to the spot daily. [I have already pointed out 
that, besides attracting the fish, ground-bait 
makes them incautious. The Trent angler uses 
very little ground-bait, so little that it cannot 
have any collecting powers on the fish. It simply 
causes them to feed on a particular bait. The 
Trent angler is most particular in using the 
same hook-bait and ground-bait, but the latter 
inferior in quality to the former.—J. B.] 
In the use of ground-baits, the nature of the 
water and the kind of fish should be considered. 
It is essential that the ground and hook-baits 
be of the same character, but not necessary that 
their qualities be the same ; the latter should, on 
the contrary, be more attractive, or, as we might 
say, piquant: A quick, rapid stream must have 
massive ground-bait, that will resist the current; 
in still waters that which is more easily diffused 
is to be preferred, there being no current to carry 
it away. 
Roach and dace, chub and bream frequent spots 
where malt and malt-house sweepings, chaff, bran, 
&c., have been previously scattered, and particu¬ 
larly where grains, wash, or like refuse find their 
way into the river from brewhouse or distillery. 
Carrion unscoured gentles are largely used for 
ground-bait for roach and barbel, those clean and 
tough from being cleaned in sand or bran being 
generally supposed to be preferred by the fish, 
but this preference we believe to be entirely con¬ 
fined to the angler. Scoured gentles are cleaner 
and tougher, but, as we have stated elsewhere, we 
consider that a large black and white gentle, 
fresh from fish or carrion, is far more tempting, 
even to the most fastidious fish. 
Bran and clay ground-bait is the one most 
commonly used amongst fishermen and anglers 
for roach, dace, and bleak. Take some adhesive 
clay, and mix with it a quantity of bran or coarse 
pollard. Of this mixture drop in here and there 
around you masses of the size of a small hen’s 
egg. If the current be strong, put a stone within 
each ball sufficient to sink it, and cast it in rather 
above the part of the water you wish it to rest in. 
“ This ground-bait,” says Blaine, “ we recommend 
as the most proper for swift streams and currents 
of large rivers, as the Thames, &c. In such 
watep a large supply is necessary to meet the 
driftings and solvent powers of the rapid flow; 
and this, not being costly, can be thrown down in 
liberal quantities, on which success so much 
depends ; and, there existing nothing to glut the 
fish, there is no fear of satiety.” 
A meal ground-bait is one which is particularly 
calculated for the deep pools of rivers and gentle 
eddies which form the strongholds of roach, dace, 
chub, and carp. Among the London anglers we 
think it is in more common use in the Lea than 
in the Thames, which, perhaps, is owing less to 
its extreme lightness of texture than to the 
cupidity of the puntsmen who usually accompany 
the angler, and are very frequently allowed to 
find ground-bait for him, for which they make a 
charge; and as a shilling or eighteenpence for 
bran and clay will pay better than two shillings 
or half a crown for bread and pollard in sufficient 
quantities, so bran and clay are usually recom¬ 
mended ; and, for reasons before stated, are per¬ 
haps sufficient for all ordinary fishings, but a 
meal ground-bait is certainly more attractive, and 
where much is expected much must be done to 
deserve it. 
Mr. Salter’s method of making this ground- 
bait is One of the best, and agrees with our own 
in essentials. He says, “ For a day’s angling a 
(juartern loaf is necessary, the crust of which will 
* Say, rather, desirable than “ essential,” for do we 
not g-round-hait with bread and bran, and bait our hooks 
with gentles. But, without doubt, the angler will suc¬ 
ceed best who mixes into his ground-bait gentles if he 
be fishing with gentles, wheat if ho he fishing with 
wheat, and so on.—J. B. 
cut off,* the crumb to be cut in slices about two 
inches thick, and put into a pan, or some deep 
vessel, and covered with water ; when the bread 
is quite soaked squeeze it nearly dry, then add 
the bran and pollard by handfuls, equal quantities 
of each, and knead them together similar to 
making bread, until the whole is nearly as stiff as 
clay. In making this ground-bait it requires 
some labour and time. The qualities of this 
ground-bait for cleanliness, and its tendency to 
attract fish will, however, amply repay any 
trouble in the making of it. It is to be observed 
of it, that it is more calculated for ground-baiting 
still deeps or very mild currents, it being neither 
heavy enough to withstand rapids, nor will it, 
from its very solvent properties, bear a stone well 
within its masses. The best ground bait is that, 
in every situation, which remains stationary and 
dissolves slowly.” 
Take barley meal one part, mashed potatoes 
three parts, and stiff, clean, adhesive clay or 
marl two parts; work these well together and 
they will form a cheap and excellent ground-bait 
for almost any waters, and for all the usual fish 
for which ground-bait is used. 
A very useful ground bait for rivers with still 
deeps, where fish of almost every variety abound, 
as in some parts of the Trent, the Severn, and 
the Wye, may be made as follows;—Mix with 
some stiff clay as much coarse pollard as it will 
bear without destroying its adhesiveness. If well 
worked it will retain its tenacity with an equal 
weight of meal nearly. At the water side, 
separate pieces about the size of a goose’s egg, 
into which stick a few worms and a few gentles. 
As these escape from the dissolving clay they are 
seized on by the fish, who continue to wait in 
the expectation of more, and are thus ready to 
take the angler’s bait also if it show a more 
tempting appearance than the other. It will add 
to its good qualities if some well soaked greaves 
be mixed with it. From long experience we (;an 
recommend this ground-bait strongly, as a most 
excellent one for the still deeps of very large 
rivers. 
Fresh brewer’s grains are often used on the 
Trent, and form a good ground-bait, particularly 
when they come from a private family, as these 
have more substance than those from a brewery. 
Sand may be mixed with them, but they are only 
fit for still water or very gentle currents. 
Many anglers have a strong and, we cannot 
help feeling, well-founded aversion, to the use of 
any ground-baits for roach which contain clay, 
mud, or even sand, although they do not consider 
the last very objectionable. A favourite ground- 
bait with them is composed of barley meal two 
quarts, toppings or pollard two quarts, and bran 
one quart; it should be mixed with hot water, 
and thoroughly kneaded until quite tough. A 
few boiled potatoes are supposed by many to 
improve it ; this bait should be made up into 
small balls, with a little clean gravel or a small 
stone in each. If well made it is so tough that it 
will stand well in the strongest stream. 
For ponds a little chewed bread may be used 
from time to time, or some stale crumb of bread well 
kneadedup with a little cold water until it will sink 
when thrown in. These last disperse directly they 
reach the water, and are very effective. 
Carrion Gentles. —We must not omit this 
favourite bait, but we think it ought not to be 
used on the same day the place is to be fished. 
They should be thrown in the day before; this 
may be managed either by enclosing them in clay 
balls, or, what perhaps is better, by tying them up 
with a quantity of sand in a piece of coarse open 
canvas, and throwing the “ pudding ” into the 
place intended to be baited ; of course taking the 
precaution of attaching a string to the canvas, to 
draw it out when done with. The gentles will 
work through the cloth and soon reach their 
destination. 
When fishing the next day two or three gentles 
may be added to each small ball of ground-bait, 
but if many be used the fish will gorge them¬ 
selves and neglect the hook. 
* The crust should be left on. It undoubtedly renders 
the ground-bait more attractive, and there is no difficulty 
about breaking it up small and intimately mixing it in 
with the rest of the mass if it is scalded and soaked for 
an hour. Old, but not mouldy, crusts from the bread- 
pan are economical and useful additions to the ground- 
bait.—J. B. 
{To be continued.) 
