CRUB-FISKING ON TEE THAMES . {fLT.) 141 



and poise it in air while nearing Lim, then cast the fly 

 over him once or twice without actually allowing it 

 or the line to touch the water ; thus his attention is 

 attracted, and when at the next cast it does fall, he is on 

 it like a knife, and should there be a few fish lying 

 together there probably will be keen competition. 



This makes rather pretty fishing and many a chub 

 may fall a victim to it before breakfast on a hot misty 

 summer's morning, after which those remaining will 

 retire to safer strongholds. 



Many anglers put a few gentles on the tail of the 

 hook; but this is dirty work, and detracts from the 

 pleasure of fly-fishing pure and simple ; but no doubt 

 they aff'ord an additional attraction. Another plan is 

 to whip at the tail of the hook a piece of white kid ; 

 this has much the same effect and has the advantage 

 of being cleaner. Gentles are not pleasant companions, 

 especially on a hot summer day, and the odour they 

 impart to the hands and rod can easily be dispensed 

 with. 



The addition of the white kid or gentles is said to 

 make the bait represent the real larva in a transitory 

 stage, but as neither bee nor caterpillar has much to 

 do with white eggs or empty cases at those periods of 

 their existence, it may be that the conspicuous white 

 lump gives the additional attraction. 



Green, black, and red palmers are considered the 

 correct flies for chub ; we prefer the latter dressed 

 with gold tinsel rib and butt ; sea-trout flies are also 



