32 " LIVE-GROUND-BAITING." [PART I. 



Whilst on the subject of dodges, I may men- 

 tion the following simple and ingenious one for 

 "live-ground-baiting," (if it maybe so called,) which 

 has been lately hit upon by a friend of mine, and 

 practised by him with considerable success, several 

 good Thames Trout, which had been proof against 

 every other temptation, having at length yielded 

 to it. 



Above the bait-hook, which is simply passed 

 through the upper lip of a live Bleak, he fastens 

 one or two bob-flies tied on straight pieces of wire, 

 or hooks minus the bends. 



The live bait is then quietly dropped in as 

 near the Trout's haunt as it can be ascertained, 

 and the bob-flies kept in motion on the surface of 

 the water. These naturally attract the neighbour- 

 ing Bleak, the old Trout all the time watching 

 their movements from his hiding-place. At length, 

 when a number have been thus collected, he can 

 stand it no longer, and makes a dash at them. 

 Away they go instanter, none remaining but the 

 unfortunate individual on the hook, who is forth- 

 with bolted. The presence of the free Bleak 

 would probably be sufficient to disarm the sus- 

 picions of the most wily Trout. 



