64 THE TROUT 



leave the river to get it out, but have a short handy 

 landing net, so that you can secure it in mid-stream, 

 thereby saving time and preventing unnecessary alarm 

 to the adjacent fish. It is wonderful how determined 

 trout are, when fairly on the feed. They will then some- 

 times seize the worm almost at the fisherman's feet ; 

 and should a lively fish on such an occasion take it 

 into his head to charge the angler, it is more than 

 likely that a very pretty complication and ultimate 

 catastrophe may occur. 



Large baskets are made by Stewart tackling in 

 bright weather, and it is a branch of trout fishing 

 which necessitates to a considerable degree a keen 

 sight, a quick and light hand, and much practical 

 knowledge of the habits and customs of trout under 

 the weather conditions in which it is usually pursued. 



But there is yet another way in which the worm 

 can be utilised for trout fishing, and I have known 

 this fashion to yield excellent results and to afford 

 capital amusement. Wherever this bait is permitted 

 it is feasible. I mean worm fishing with a single 

 small hook and one or two shot on the casting-line. 

 The strength, size, and volume of the river must 

 decide how much the line will require to be 

 weighted. The hook is as a rule of the size 

 numbered i in fig. 7, p. 106. 



