212 CHUB-HOLES. 



created by the weeds, to resort to, when they 

 wish to avoid that necessity for exertion, which 

 their being constantly at the surface would im- 

 pose upon them. It is strange how fond fish 

 sometimes are of avoiding the light, as though 

 their deeds were evil ! Under dark arches and 

 culverts large trout are almost sure to be met 

 with. But the bait must not be the artificial fly 

 rather a worm or a minnow that is, if you 

 choose to turn poacher occasionally, and with this 

 propensity, you are always sure to find trout 

 ready, either for worm or minnow, under the 

 roots of bushes, where deepish water rushes past 

 them, and hollows away the bank. The shade of 

 trees is always very inviting to fish. 



Herb. You spoke of a chub-hole. How do 

 you distinguish it ? 



Theoph. Don't ask too much, or you'll beat 

 me. Chub love to lie in deep sluggish water; 

 consequently, where there is mud or clay, rather 

 than gravel at the bottom of the river, and in 

 deep water, where the banks are much under- 

 worn by the stream setting in directly on to them, 

 consequently in acute bends of the river : a hol- 

 lowed bank is their chief delight ; and it is not 

 rapidity of stream which drives them thence. I 

 know the head of one of the aits on the Thames, 

 a little below Hampton (I think it the one which 

 extends, down to Hampton lock), where the stream 



