66 



TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



think are called ' marshworms,' very common in 

 garden ground. Some of these are greyish-pink 

 worms ; others, of same colour, have a yellowish 

 or orange knot and are the original form of the 

 brandling. Beyond these two 

 sorts the worm-fisher for trout 

 need not go. A very common 

 garden worm is the squirrel-tail, a 

 dark red worm with a flat tail, but 

 though excellent baits, they are 

 more brittle than the first-named, 

 and do not last well on the hook. 

 The best length of worm for clear 

 water is two and a quarter inches, 

 or as near that length as possible 

 i.e., in their normal state before ex- 

 tension. It is well to have a depot 

 or large receptacle at home for storing the main 

 supply. Earthenware answers best, but, failing 

 this, two or three of the largest-sized sweet-tins 

 stocked by grocers do well enough, a few air-holes 

 being drilled through the covers. Receptacles are 

 packed tightly with soft moss, the sort which 

 grows in thick clumps, which is first soaked in 

 cold water and then thoroughly squeezed. About 

 one hundred and fifty worms would be enough 

 for one of these tins. They are laid on the top of 



Fig. 9- 



Worm baited, 

 actual size. 



