With its signature metallic flash of silver as it breaks the waters surface and is drawn towards the anglers net there can be no disputing the sleek and slender red eyed Roach is a very handsome fish.

Although generally not attaining any great size there is something intrinsically enjoyable about catching the humble Roach, perhaps it simply transports us on a nostalgic journey back in time to those halcyon days of youth, now long gone but remembered with great affection nonetheless.

Whilst at times mistaken for the Rudd there are a couple of distinguishing features that will allow you to differentiate between the two.

Firstly the dorsal fin on the Roach is set further forwards towards the head when compared to the Rudd and secondly it is the top lip of the Roach that protrudes beyond the lower lip, indicative of being a bottom feeder, whereas on the Rudd it is the slightly upturned bottom lip which is set slightly more to the fore.

Although also known as “red fin” the Roach - at least whilst young - tend to have mainly orange fins and only as they age do they take on a deeper red hue whereas in contrast the Rudd consistently displays a much deeper red fin colouration.

If uncertainty remains a Roach has a scale count along the lateral line of between thirty nine and forty nine scales.

A member of the Carp family the Roach is never going to rival its heavyweight cousins with a Roach of over a pound considered a very good fish whilst the capture of a two pound Roach is a very fine specimen indeed and from an angling perspective an achievement to be rightly proud of.

That said - as with so many other branches of angling - it is rarely the quantity or size of fish encountered that wins the day but rather the experience and simple pleasures of being out amongst nature that lives long after the days sun has set.

Found widely in Europe and throughout the UK - though less common in Scotland - the Roach inhabits lochs, canals and slow flowing rivers and can tolerate a certain degree of salinity, organic pollution and also survive in nutrient-poor waters 

More commonly found at a length of around twenty five to thirty five centimetres they are predominantly a shoal fish that tend to lead a rather nomadic lifestyle preferring to roam rather than sticking to any specific area.

Roach are highly social and often form large shoals living a rather nomadic existence rather that sticking to any particular area and will be found feeding at differing water levels depending on water temperature and availability of food.

Being omnivorous they exist on a very eclectic diet of aquatic invertebrates such as worms, snails, insect larvae as well as plants, seeds, fish eggs and occasionally even fish fry.

They themselves are viewed as a tasty meal by several predators with otters and pike taking their fair share whilst also featuring high on the menu of the Grey Heron - frequently seen statuesque on the waters edge waiting motionless for an unsuspecting Roach to swim past.

More to follow . . . ;o)