Hardy Roach Rutilus rutilus

The inexperienced may be forgiven for finding it hard to tell the roach from the rudd. Judging from the numbers of hybrids between the two species, the fish themselves find identification difficult. Both have large scales and greenish backs but the flanks of the roach are silvery whereas the rudd has a golden sheen. Roach-bream crosses are also quite common, as are hybrids with chub and bleak.

Fry and very young roach feed on plankton but as they grow they include algae and invertebrates such as snails and insect larvae, especially bloodworms, in their diet. Large specimens, particularly roach-bream hybrids, can become cannibals and feed mainly on fry. Roach do most of their feeding on the bottom, though at times they feed in mid-water and even come up to take insects that have fallen on the water surface.

Roach are widespread throughout England but are much less common in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. They prefer slow-moving rivers and still waters but are also found in faster-flowing rivers that are reasonably deep. They do not do well in fast, shallow streams. They are a fairly tolerant species and can even be found in quite barren or polluted waters.

In some waters roach are not subject to much perdition and this can lead to overcrowding, with large numbers of small roach up to about 113g (4oz). Stunting can also occur in acid waters that are poor in nutrients.

In reservoirs, gravel pits and chalk streams which are nutrient rich and where pike, perch and trout tend to reduce numbers, the roach are far fewer but larger, it is at waters like these that specimen and record roach can be caught.

On average it takes about nine or ten years for roach to reach full size though this depends on the availability of food.

Spawning takes place in the shallows between April and June, the yellowish eggs sticking to plants and stones. Roach are prolific, averaging 20,000 eggs per 0.45kg (1lb) of body weight - another reason they are so widespread. With a mild spring, spawning takes place early and a greater number of the fry survive. Usually, though, this simply means there is more food available for the predators.

In common with many other members of the carp family, male roach develop grey-white warty lumps on the head (and occasionally the body) before spawning. These are known as tubercles and are about the size of a pinhead. Males can only be easily distinguished from females when these lumps are present.

Tring Reservoir, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Famous for fish around 1.4kg (3lb).

Hampshire Avon Contains specimens over 1.6kg (3 1/2Ib).

Stanford Reservoir, Northamptonshire Very good winter fishing with fish of up to 1.1kg (2 1/2Ib).

Not as good as in the 70s and early 80s, but still producing fish to 0.9kg (2lb) in its middle reaches with good nets of lesser fish In Norwich.

Great Ouse, cut-off relief channel, Norfolk Best around Hilgay Bridge area for good quality fish of 0.45-0.9kg (1-2lb).

River Nar, Norfolk Noted for its roach of 0.45-0.9kg (1-2lb).

River Hull, North Humberside In the Hemphoime area the roach are of a good size around 0.45-0.9kg (1-2lb).

A trout fishery which cannot be fished using usual coarse fishing methods. Huge roach of over 1.8kg (4lb) have been found dead here, though, so dedicated record breakers may like to try for them with the fly.

South Cerney gravel pit, Wiltshire Some of the pits yield specimens of over 0.9kg (2lb).

River Trent at Dunham, Nottinghamshire Excellent winter sport with fish of 0.45-0.9kg (1-2lb).

Weight: up to 2kg (4 1/2Ib); average 110-170g (4-6oz)

Length: 36cm (14in)

Life-span: 10-15 years

Favourite waters: slow-moving rivers and still waters

• Roach have large scales, greenish backs, silvery flanks, red eyes and red-orange fins.

• The slightly protruding upper lip shows that the roach is a bottom feeder.

• White lumps or tubercles on the head of the male are common to all members of the carp family during the spawing period.

• The front edge of the dorsal fin is in line with the base of the ventral fin. (In rudd, the front edge of the dorsal is behind the base of the ventral.) The lateral line has between 42 and 45 scales.

The British rod-caught record was taken by Ray N. Clarke in late October 1990 from a reedy swim on the Dorset Stour. It fell to double caster on a size 16 hook and weighed 1.899kg (4lb 3oz).

The specimen weight for a roach is 0.9kg (2lb). Anything over 1.4kg (3lb) is rare and well worth a celebration

In rivers, roach spend much of winter in deep water which is often found on the outside of a bend They head for the shallows in spring to spawn. Roach will be found all year round in a steady glide of water - 2.4m (8ft) deep. In winter, roach gather in deep water. In summer they often roll on the surface at dawn and browse on silt beds during the day. At dusk, they move into shallow water to feed during the night.