The “Nottingham” method is very useful for this purpose. This consists in using a free running wooden reel, and a light line, and throwing from the reel. It is difficult, but very useful on open rivers, where fishing fine and far off is essential.
Of course, you have to fish down-stream by this method, and will often miss your fish when striking; but that is better than getting no bites—the usual result of fishing under your nose at this time of year. Occasionally you may get hold of a barbel in this way, when using gentles for bait; and, if so, it will not be easy to land him, though he is not so strong now as he would be later on.
Bream-fishing will be coming on before long, and the early boy will get the bream. Before sunrise is the best time, and for this fish-tackle of a different sort is required. A strong rod with rings is useful, and the gut and reel line may be stout.
If the water is deep, use a long float and fairly heavy lead, and fish on the bottom with a worm (a small lob by preference) on a large hook. Put in ground-bait, over-night if possible, and lose no time when fishing. A three-pound bream can be got out in two minutes, and twenty or thirty may thus be had in an hour or two of early morning, and, perhaps, not another all day, though in the Norfolk broads I’ve known the bites continue till mid-day.
Roach-fishing proper is not in season till August, and has been described in these pages.
Jack should be let alone for a month or two yet, and perch are scarcely in order.
In conclusion, let me suggest that all fish found to be out of condition should be gently returned to the water.