WORM-FISHING. 33 



We think it unnecessary in this short paper to 

 describe the various kinds of worms ; we simply 

 advise the angler to use them as smal] as possible, 

 except during a spate. 



CASTING. In casting, the line is carried back 

 with an easy swing and urged forward with more 

 or less force according to circumstances, the rod' 

 top making more of a circle than in fly-fishing. 

 If a long line is being used, or if the wind is 

 blowing down stream, the point of the rod must 

 be lowered almost to the surface of the water. 

 This causes the worm to fall lightly and the line to 

 be fully extended. The rod is then slowly raised, 

 leaving only a few feet of gut in the stream. It 

 is difficult to perform this last movement, great 

 delicacy of touch being required, for if done too 

 quickly the worm is dragged down stream. A 

 short line does not require the rod to be lowered 

 to the same extent, and is more easily managed. 



On other occasions the rod top requires to be 

 kept well raised. Take, for example, a cast over 

 a rough current to quieter water beyond. If the 

 line is all immersed, the strong rush at once pulls 

 the worm from the desired spot ; whereas, if only 

 a few feet of gut are permitted to alight, the 

 intervening current has no power over it. This 

 is best accomplished by checking the forward 

 movement of the rod, and not lowering the point 

 as we have already alluded to. 



