WORM AND MINNOW FISHING 79 



cast slightly with one or two small split- 

 shot. In clear-water worming, however, it 

 is inadvisable to do this, because it interferes 

 with the free passage of the worm. Worms 

 are best carried in a kidney-shaped tin box, 

 attached to a waist belt. This device will 

 be found much handier than a bag. The 

 box should contain two compartments, one 

 for the worms, the other for a small quantity 

 of fine sand, into which the angler's fingers 

 can be dipped, thus making the handling of 

 the worms much easier, and less disagreeable. 

 Approaching a likely reach, the angler 

 swings the bait upstream, and allows the 

 current to trundle it down, raising the point 

 of his rod so as to keep a fairly tight line. 

 The first indication of a fish will be shown 

 by the stoppage of the bait. Now and then 

 the latter is held up by some obstacle ; but 

 if a trout seizes it, a tremor of the line gives 

 warning of the fact. Using the single hook, 

 the angler should strike when the trout starts 

 to move off with the worm ; but with the 

 tackle he should strike at once. Trout take 

 the worm best in the early morning, some 

 of my best baskets having been made soon 

 after daybreak. They will, however, often 

 afford good sport during the hottest part 

 of the day. 



