DIBBING FOB CHUB. 131 



though very troublesome, where I have been 

 forced to creep under trees and bushes, dragging 

 my rod after me, with the very top of it in my 

 hand, to get near the water ; and I have been well 

 paid for all my trouble. .Whilst you are getting 

 in your rod, throw a brandling or grub, or what 

 you fish with, into the place, which will make the 

 fish take your bait the more boldly.' 



The grasshopper is a most valuable bait for 

 dibbing for grayling and chub. The former fish 

 will take an artificial grasshopper well, by sinking 

 it in the water and drawing it up gently to the 

 surface. The natural insect is the best, however, 

 for chub. On the next page is a representation 

 of an angler intent on dibbing for chub. 



You see that he is hiding himself as much as he 

 can ; and thinking that there are fish peering 

 from beneath the leaves on the surface of the 

 water, he drops his bait first on one of those 

 leaves, and then by a sliding motion causes it to 

 slip off, and fall on the water. The fish, taking 

 this fall for a natural one, is not scared, but seizes 

 the bait boldly. Practise a similar ruse whenever 

 you can wherever there are branches hanging 

 over the water, rocks, or other substances in it and 

 above the surface. On them first drop your bait, 

 and by a second motion cause it to descend on to 

 the surface of the water. Do this whether your 

 baits be grasshoppers, flies, caterpillars, beetles, or 



K 2 



