Читать книгу The History of Esculent Fish - Roger North - Страница 5

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Is, according to the Artedian and Linnæan system, a species of Cyprinus, and is called by the French the Vilian and Testard, and was called by the ancient Romans Squalus. The resorts of this fish are easily found; being generally holes over-shaded by trees; and on a hot day, they may be seen in great numbers, floating almost on the surface of the water. For the table they are very poor fish, full of bones. They afford much entertainment to the angler, and are easily caught. The best manner of fishing for them is thus: prepare a very strong rod of sufficient length; fix a grashopper to the hook; place yourself so as not to be perceived by the fish, and drop in the bait about two feet from the place where a Chub lies; if he does not see the angler, he rarely fails biting, and is taken directly; but he is so strong a fish, that he should be taken out carefully, after a great deal of play, otherwise the tackle will be in danger; a beetle, or any large fly, will answer the purpose in the place of a grashopper; and if none of them are to be had, the method of fishing must be altered, and the line be long enough for fishing at the bottom.

In March and April, this fish is to be caught with red worms; in June and July, with worms, snails, and cherries; but in August and September, the proper bait is good cheese, pounded in a mortar with some saffron and a little butter. Some make paste of cheese and Venice turpentine for the Chub in winter, at which season the fish is better than at any other; the bones are less troublesome in this season, and the flesh more firm and better tasted. The roe is also generally well flavoured. The angler must keep his bait for this fish at the bottom in cold weather, and near the top in hot. The fish will bite easily.

Asellus Major. The Cod-fish. E. Albin Delin: March 29. 1739.