FISHING, 51 



In tr on ting with the worm in clear waters, all 

 able anglers cast up stream. Angling up stream 

 with the worm possesses all the advantages which 

 have been mentioned in fly-fishing ; and to fish 

 up a clear water, a proper casting of the line is of 

 primary importance. The two things to be at- 

 tended to are first, to throw highly, so as not to 

 break the worm ; and secondly, to throw with 

 certainty to any required spot. In casting a 

 worm, you should allow it to go out behind, then 

 urge it forward slowly ; all sudden jerks must be 

 avoided, as they are apt to tear the worm. The 

 point of the rod should go nearer the water than 

 in casting a fly; and extend the rod to the full 

 length, in order to get the bait as far out as 

 possible. In doing this you must not lower the 

 point of the rod till you have given the worm all 

 the forward impetus intended; then lower it 

 slowly almost to a level with the water, and the 

 worm will go to the full stretch of both rod and 

 line. Whenever the worm alights, raise your rod 

 gradually, but take care not to rais^ it so quickly 

 ns in any way to interfere with the motion of the 

 worm. It is of great importance that there should 

 be very little line in the water, not so much be- 

 cause it is calculated to alarm the trout, as that 

 the action of the stream upon the line will in some- 

 cases bring the worm much faster down than it 



