THE CHUB. 219 



and the favorite resort of these fishes in a deep tranquil pool, 

 partially shadowed by some wide spreading tree that 

 overhangs the steep banks, and whose roots afford them 

 hover, and a place to fly to for protection when alarmed. It is 

 in the deep and quiet holes in the more woody parts of a river, 

 that chubs most frequently abound, and there are certain localities 

 they are never known to forsake. " Once a chub hole always so," 

 is a proverb most anglers are familiar with. Spots of this kind 

 should be fished in the mode above described by Walton ; but it is 

 not always necessary that you should see the chubs on the surface, 

 as in cold and windy weather they may swim deeper, and yet a 

 tempting bait may coax them to the top. 



In dapping it is a good plan when these fish do not show them- 

 selves to float the bait very gently all down the pool, trying first 

 the deep sides near the bank, and allowing the fish to turn when 

 he bites before you strike, which honest Izaak forgot to mention, 

 but it is doubtless a plan he always pursued. One great object you 

 must never lose sight of in chub fishing, which is to keep your- 

 self well concealed from the fish, and not only to keep yourself, 

 but also as much of your rod as you can out of sight ; therefore 

 some greater length of line will be required than is usually used ; 

 or at any rate sufficient to allow the rod to be elevated some height 

 above the water : few indeed of the uninitiated are aware of the 

 number of fish they deter from rising by using too short a line, 

 and holding the rod in a horizontal position, only three or four 

 feet above the surface of the water, particularly where a yellow 

 bamboo top, with the black splices and ringties is employed, which 

 has a very traplike appearance. Properly speaking for dapping 

 the top should be of one uniform colour with the rod ; for though 

 it will not look half so pretty, depend upon it you will kill many 

 more fish with it. A good length of gut foot line will be desira- 

 ble, and at least one double swivel should be used. The rod 

 ought to be a powerful one in the lesser streams one of fifteen or 

 sixteen feet long will be sufficient and when you have hooked a 

 fish you must take care to keep him in good play, and do your 

 best to prevent him from running towards the banks, and entang- 

 ling your tackling among the roots or weeds, which if he be a 

 lusty one he will very probably attempt, and which if he succeeds 

 in, it is ten to one but you lose both him and a considerable portion 

 of your tackle into the bargain. 



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