Three Hundred Things a Bright Boy Can Do

by Unknown

It is important to see that the hair or gut on which this is tied is perfectly round and clear.

With regard to baits, the very best are wasp-grubs; but these are often unobtainable, and gentles (the maggots of the friendly bluebottle) answer fairly well. A cleaner and pleasanter bait to use is paste, made from bread one day old. This should be dipped in water, and then quickly squeezed dry with clean hands, or in a cloth. In some rivers—the Ouse for instance—boiled wheat is a very good bait.

In order to find the depth, use a little roll of lead, called a plummet. This should be attached to the line, close to the hook, by being partly unrolled, to admit the hook, and then fastened again; and the depth should be plumbed as soon as the tackle is ready, and before bait is prepared. The operation necessarily disturbs the fish, and time must elapse before they will feed. It is desirable to keep well away from the water while putting your rod together, and, if possible, even while fishing.

Many roach fishers carry a light square box, or basket, which serves for a seat. These anglers will sit still for hours, patiently waiting for the roach to come on; they are often very successful. When a roach is hooked, the angler retains his seat, and in order to bring the fish to the net, will remove the butt and second joint of the rod. This is also done when rebaiting. It is the great length of the rod and the shortness of the line that makes this necessary. But to return to the method of fishing: the depth being ascertained, the float should be so placed that the bait will just touch the bottom at the shallowest part of the swim, and only a foot of line should be used between the float and the top of the rod.

Calm weather is best for roach-fishing, as it is easier to see the bites; but if there is a gentle wind from south or west, sport is often good.

In summer, evening is much the best, but at this time of year roach will often feed all day. Let us suppose that you start fishing on a calm afternoon in February or March, and on reaching the river, which is free for fishing, wonder where to begin. It is lined with rushes, but here and there are gaps, and on the banks at some of these points you notice scraps of ground-bait on the ground, and you also see that the grass is trampled and worn. This shows that anglers have found the spot a good one. Seat yourself, or stand quietly near one of these points, and put your rod together. Then attach your line and plummet as described, and when all the rest is ready put in a little ground-bait, some yards above your swim. Chewed bread will do if you have no bran to mix with it.

If your tackle is in order, and the roach are there, you will have a nibble before many minutes; but at this stage of your education it is useless to strike at nibbles. Keep on the alert, and you will find that if you can manage to strike as the float is sinking, when a bite occurs, you will hook your fish; not otherwise. A gentle jerk is enough, as your little hook is sharp, and the roach’s mouth soft.

Violence risks breaking the line, and in any case disturbs the fish unduly.

If the roach is of good size, remember that your tackle is weak, and play your fish carefully; and don’t attempt to get it out, whether with net or otherwise, till quite exhausted. Even if you have only a small fish it is well to land him gently, or you will scare others.

When placing the line do not flop it in, but let it sink bait first, and be prepared for a bite the moment the float cocks, for the first few seconds are the best. There is also a good chance at the end of the swim. If there is a stream the top of your rod must follow the course of the float. The rule, as to only a foot of line above the float, may be relaxed if the swim is long, for to walk along is most undesirable; it scares the fish by shaking the banks. You should stand still, or better sit still while roach-fishing. Even this rule has many exceptions. If, for instance, the stream is very rapid, the saving in time effected by following your float may more than compensate for the disturbance caused by your footsteps.