The Old Story of Roach Part 2

After Andrew sent his intriguing account I kept the thought in mind whilst reading old mid Victorian literature that I have been addicted to for both the language (Very modern) and the tackle verification of items we have found in mixed bundles of old boxes that occasionally drop on the bench.  

Sure enough one of them from the very very esteemed Angling writer of the day, Francis Francis, in his book ‘A Book on Angling’ There are numerous chapters on the methods to catch common species of British fish. 

It wasn’t’ until I had read almost to the book’s end that there was a section on ‘The Bait Table’. To my utter disbelief there was a very specific bait for Roach, namely ‘Silkweed’. I sent this information to Andrew and he was very happy to hear my findings… imagine the ‘old’ angler 50 yrs prior might have been Francis Francis in person… well in spirit anyway. What a wonderful world when we think some information is new just happens to be at least 175yrs in its common use.