THE WORM IN SPATES 89 



slow currents, the sides of pools, the gentle eddies 

 outside main currents, these will be the feeding- 

 grounds, and there you will get bite after bite, 

 and fish after fish and good ones, too. At the 

 same time, it must not be supposed that little 

 trout have no share in the general conviviality. 

 Unfortunately they have, though they do take a 

 back seat, and the sportsman if a spate-fisher 

 can be so denominated will be careful to return 

 all under the J Ib. if uninjured. 



The method of fishing the worm in floods, with 

 due regard to these remarks, is very similar to 

 that in clear water. It may be sunk and raised a 

 little more, and if the place be almost dead 

 water, or very slow, it may be moved about more. 

 Less time need be given to biting fish than in 

 clear water, as they are apt to gorge worms in 

 spates ; say two or three seconds before striking. 

 In a light freshet the angler had better lie low, 

 but he need not do so in thick water, and can 

 enjoy the standing position anywhere. The 

 traces are better made of sound refina gut, and 

 the hooks may be a size larger with advantage. 

 Moreover, as there are sure to be undercurrents 

 in most places, it is well to put on two shots 

 (together) to keep the bait down, and to slow it. 

 The day after a big spate will not be nearly so 



G 



