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CHAPTER IX. 



V/ORM-FISHING. 



Modern and old systems contrasted. Appropriate times and places for 

 worm-fishing. Existing tackles ; the theory of a perfect worm tackle 

 Nenv tackle described — Suitable for river-bottom fishing generally ? 

 Irace. Best worms : management of bait, &c. 



For the present scientific method of worm-fishing for 

 Trout we are chiefly indebted to Mr. Stoddart and Mr. 

 Stewart. This branch of the art was, until late years, 

 principally confined to rivers in a state of partial flood — 

 rising or falling. The performer, armed with a short stiff 

 rod and extra coarse tackle, walked down the river or 

 stream, fishing the pools and likely runs in front of him, 

 and hoisting out bodily any unlucky fish which the 

 purblinding condition of its own element was mainly 

 instrumental in transferring to ours. Now all this is 

 changed, and worm-fishing for Trout is a branch of 

 the gentle art requiring much nicety and skill in its 

 successful performance, and rapidly becoming second 

 only to fly-fishing and spinning in the estimation of 

 anglers. 



We have learnt that the real time for the use of the 



