52 FISHING. 



would otherwise come ; in others it will bring it 

 nearer the surface, and in either case giving an 

 unnatural motion to the lure. As already re- 

 marked, all able worm fishers invariably cast up 

 stream ; in so doing they take up their stand 

 below where the trout are presumed to lie, never 

 allowing the bait as it is carried down to pass 

 bolow them. This practice embodies two advan- 

 tages, both of which demand attention. In the 

 first place, he is kept better concealed from the 

 wary eye of the trout, which, as is well known, 

 when resting fronts the current, and, although 

 possessed of visual organs sufficiently prominent 

 to detect objects above or on either side, can 

 descry but very partially what takes place in its 

 rear ; and secondly, from his position he can strike 

 with greater ceitainty and effect. In this par- 

 ticular he acquires a very decided advantage over 

 the old f angled mode of worm-fishing, that, 

 namely, of casting down stream, adopting which 

 system the angler, when striking, is more apt to 

 pull the hook fairly out of the mouth of the fish 

 without even pricking it, than when he throws 

 against the current and strikes downwards to 

 bring the bend and barb in contact with the mouth 

 of the trout. A third advantage obtained by the 

 mode of casting recommended is that the water is 

 less disturbed, the unavoidable plunging of the 



