34 WORM-FISHING. 



The angler, it will thus be seen, has often to 

 vary his style of casting to suit different kinds of 

 water, and in like manner the length of his line ; 

 but 10 to 15 feet on ordinary-sized streams is 

 long enough to fish most places. 



THE STRIKE. The strike is easily accom- 

 plished ; it consists in tightening the line down 

 stream. Anglers are usually far too rough. The 

 small wires forming the tackle are exceedingly 

 sharp, and take firm hold with a minimum of 

 force. This pull or strike when using the tackle 

 must be instantaneous with the first indications 

 of a bite, but should never be a sudden jerk. 

 This is sometimes done involuntarily, and should 

 be guarded against, as it is certain to result in 

 breakages. If only a small quantity of line is 

 kept in the water, there should be no difficulty 

 in the matter. The bite is then easily perceived, 

 and the point of the rod being always in advance 

 of the worm, it is only natural to pull down 

 stream. Beginners should remember to place 

 uppermost the hand nearest the river; this of 

 itself is sufficient to ensure the correct direction 

 of the strike, but it lies entirely with the angler 

 to estimate the requisite amount of force. We 

 have said that every bite should be responded to 

 at once. Now if too much line is kept in the 

 stream, the angler has no exact knowledge where 

 his bait really is ; a trout may have taken and 



