276 ANGLING WITH THE LOB-WORM. 



When angling for trout with any tripping or 

 running baits, be they worms, caddies, gentles, or 

 salmon-roe, it is necessary to have as many shot 

 on the line, about nine inches from the hook, as 

 will readily sink the bait ; because, if the stream 

 be rapid, the bait is carried away without coming 

 near the ground, and consequently few trout will 

 take it. While thus fishing with the running line, 

 keep as far from the water as you can, and let the 

 bait be carried down into the trout haunts, and 

 when a fish begins to bite, do not strike the first 

 time you feel a slight tug, but rather slacken the 

 line, and when you feel one or more sharp tugs 

 together, then strike smartly. If it is a heavy 

 fish, do not be too eager to land it. To these 

 directions it may be added, that when a lob-worm 

 is used as a tripping bait, but little lead is neces- 

 sary on the line, the weight of the worm being 

 nearly sufficient, and the absence of shot or lead 

 advantageous. Allow the worm to roll of itself, 

 or rather with a little less speed than the current, 

 over the ground, yftiich it will do in a natural 

 manner if unencumbered with too much lead; 

 and where there are large trout this bait well 

 managed proves irresistible. As a general rule, 

 lob-worms are most adapted for deeps, and for 

 coloured or thick waters, and red worms or 

 brandlings are best for brighter waters moderately 

 profound. It will be found an excellent plan, 



