THE CHUB. 125 



day, finds the cheese fail him, let him try the pith and ;brains in the 

 same way, baiting with pieces of pith. But here I must not omit to 

 say how the said pith and brains must be prepared before starting on 

 a " chubbing ' ' expedition. The pith is the spinal marrow of a cow or 

 bullock, and when taken from the bone possesses two skine. The first 

 must be removed by cutting the column open with a pair of scissors, 

 and then " skinning" it off with the finger and thumb. Then boil the 

 "pith" a few minutes until the inner skin becomes brown, when it is 

 tough enough for use. The brains for the ground bait should be first 

 boiled, and then chewed into minute portions and spat into the river 

 while fishing. 



I have started out for chub with these two baits in all seasons and 

 times, and have never had to complain of the sport arising from one 

 or both. 



Greaves, or " scratchings," are also a capital bait in lieu of either of 

 the above. Procure the greaves, if possible, from a small tallow 

 chandlery (where a hydraulic press is not used), break them up and boil 

 for twenty minutes, frequently stirring to prevent burning ; leave them 

 until cold and stiff, and choose the whitest for bait. 



Of course there are other modes of fishing for chub and other baits. 

 Blakey advises a humble bee. A very effectual bait is the real white moth 

 at night, and a still more effectual bait is the black slug, before adverted 

 to, either thrown expertly under the boughs in early summer, or used 

 instead of cheese or pith. After being cut open and its inside removed, 

 it should be laid for a short time in the sun. If this bait be put on as 

 recommended for " dapping," immediately each fish is hooked it blows 

 the bait up the gut, so that the same lure will serve again and again. 

 Boiled shrimps and .prawns are capital baits, and my favourite dew worm 

 will sometimes obtain Piscator a splendid fish, giving the additional 

 chance of a good perch occasionally. Wasp grubs and meal worms, red 

 worms, brandling and minnow are all good for chub. Commend me, 

 however, to the cheese or pith above all other baits. 



Although I have pointedly alluded to Old Windsor Fleet as a good chub 

 ground, it must not be imagined that the Thames is destitute of such 

 spots. On the contrary, it may safely be said that there is no mile of the 

 Thames from Oxford, and even above there, to Teddington Weir, wnich 

 does not possess a chub swim, and when once they take up their posi- 

 tion they may always be found "there or thereabouts." 



