If you have a bamboo rod, which is hollow throughout (through the knots), it is a good plan to pass the line through the middle, instead of the rings. In this way one disadvantage of using running tackle is avoided—the rod can be pushed through bushes, etc., without entangling the line.
Another and more lively plan for chub catching is to whip for them with the artificial fly; and in this case running tackle is, of course, necessary.
In the shallower parts of the rivers you will get more dace and bleak than chub in this way, and very pretty sport it is, only second to trout-fishing.
When you are trying for roach only, it is best to use a sunk fly, and to move it up and down very gently. You can feel the roach bite if you have a delicate hand, but if you find this difficult put on a small gentle with the fly. This can be seen at a considerable depth, and will disappear, of course, when the roach takes the fly.
It also forms an additional attraction, and at a pinch will do alone; but I have found the house fly generally more effective. Single hair is best for your line, unless you see large chub cruising about, which is often the case.
In this sort of fishing you can generally watch your quarry, and you have to be very careful that they do not see too much of you.
It will be found far more interesting than regular bottom-fishing, and requires more thought and more resource for its successful prosecution.
Among the insects most useful for bait, the grasshopper stands (or jumps) pre-eminent, but is not often obtainable much before July. The cow-dung fly has a brilliant yellow colour, which is very fascinating to roach; and the green caterpillar (to be obtained by tapping the boughs of oaks) is almost irresistible, especially to trout. The oak-fly, called also “the up and down fly,” from the position it always assumes on the oak trunk, is equally attractive, and no doubt would be appreciated also by other fish.
The hottest and calmest weather is best for this sort of fishing, as it is usually worst for the other sorts.
In case the day should be windy or otherwise unsuitable for dapping, and yet the season too early to fish the deeps, a good plan is to put on a very small quill float, and one shot; and, using a No. 10 or 11 hook and a single gentle, to fish the shallow gravelly runs from as great a distance as you can manage.