This section is from the book "The Art Of Angling Greatly Improved", by An Unknown Author. Also available from Amazon: The Art of Angling Greatly Improved.
The Loach is an inhabitant of clear rivulets, and commonly resides at the bottom among stones and gravel, and is on that account sometimes called by the name of Groundling; it is generally about three inches long; is of a dirty yellow colour on the back, and somewhat spotted, and white on the belly. In point of delicacy, it is said to be equal, if not superior, to most other fishes, and is cultivated with much care in some places as an article of diet. The Loach is observed to spawn in March, and is very prolific. It is frequently taken when angling for Minnows.
 
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