THE JOLLY ANGLER. 31 



the water, looking after the flies and other insects now 

 getting plentiful, (see " Dipping or Dibbing.") You may 

 at this time exert yourself to some advantage with the 

 artificial fly * (see " Fly Fishing.") Another way of catch- 

 ing them at this season is with a worm (see "Strolling"); 

 but the principal means, and by far the best used for the 

 purpose of taking Chub during the winter months, is as 

 follows : let your rod and line be the same as described for 

 catching Bream in rivers, the float rather larger, a neat 

 quill-tipped cap float is the best, that will carry 6 or 7 

 shot, or more+, according to the stream ; now having ready 

 a quantity of bullock's brains, as well as some of the white 

 pith out of the back bone, proceed to plumb your depth 

 cautiously, or you will scare them, as they only feed well 

 when the water is pretty clear; the proper places are deep 

 still holes, about trees, eddies, and other quiet places. 

 Having plumbed your depth, throw in a little of the 

 brains, beat up with something to make it sink, and 

 put a piece of the pith about the size of a filbert (they 

 like a large bait) on your hook; strike directly they 

 bite; if you do not soon catch one, try another place; 

 if you take one or two, and they leave off biting, do the 

 same, as they are easily frightened away, but they will 

 soon return ; in this manner I have taken a great quan- 

 tity of them. The best plan, if you are not over-deli- 

 cate, is to chew the brains, and spit them out of your 

 mouth into the water where you are angling; they will 

 sink when well chewed.; if you know the likely places 

 for Chub in the river you are fishing, (for where they once 

 harbour they always return to), and can guess the depth, 

 it is better to put your float near the mark without plumb- 



* Saltcr says, " the Lea affords no amusement to the FJy 

 Fisher." I am of a different opinion; the water from King's Weir 

 down for two or three miles, being as w<-II adapted for that purpose 

 as any pi^ce of water can be, but requires a skilful hand to manage 

 it ; the beds of weeds and trees in many parts render it necessary to 

 throw the line to a great nicety. I have seen many good Trout 

 brought from this water, but have never subscribed to it myself, 

 though I would strongly recommend Mr. Weston'i water as the best 

 piece on ilie river for Fly Fishing. 



+ An increased quantity of small shot is preferable to n smaller 

 number of largo on> j s; the line meets with !<** resistance from the 

 water when you strike, and they do not chafe the gut or line. 



