HOW TO CATCH THE BLACK BASS 



43 



Dew-worm 



according to the fancy of the angler and the nature of the 

 fishing grounds. Isaak Walton gives the following instruc- 

 tions in his "Compleat 

 Angler," for the proper 

 baiting of a hook with 



a dew or lob-worm: Dung-worm 



" Put your hook into 

 him somewhat above 

 the middle, and out 

 again a little below the 

 middle; having so done, 

 draw your worm above 



the arming of the hook; but note that at the entering of 

 your hook it must not be at the head-end of the worm but 

 at the tail-end of him, that the point of your hook may 

 come out toward the head-end, and having drawn him above 

 the arming of your hook, then put the point of the hook 

 again into the very head of the worm, till it come near to 

 the place where the point of the hook first came out; and 

 then draw back that part of the worm that was above the 

 shank or arming of your hook, and so fish with it." 



Walton gives this method for the 

 benefit of those who may fish along 

 the banks of a stream or in any place 

 where the water is shallow and the bot- 

 tom is strewn with branches, logs, or 

 rough stone, and where, consequently, 

 the worm is liable to breakage at the 

 point if threaded in the ordinary way, 

 beginning at the head and leaving about 

 an inch of the tail hanging from the 

 point. 



This latter way of baiting is objectionable, even in deep 

 water, because the weight of the free portion and its constant 

 motion gradually cause a break at the point; which, although 



