ON ANGLING WITH THE WORM 137 



his basket. All worm-fishers of the present day 

 that know anything about the matter invariably 

 throw their worm up stream. 



In trouting with the worm, a proper casting of 

 the line is of great importance. The two things to 

 be attended to are, to throw lightly, so as not to 

 break the worm, and to throw with certainty to any 

 required spot. To accomplish the first mentioned, 

 some recommend heaving or pitching the line for- 

 ward; but this is a very uncertain method, quite 

 impracticable in a windy day, and hardly practic- 

 able at any time, unless there is plenty of shot 

 on the line. We do not see that it mutilates the 

 worm less than the ordinary method; and at best 

 the line can never be thrown with the same cer- 

 tainty. 



In casting a worm, you should allow it to go 

 out behind, and then urge it forward slowly ; all 

 sudden jerks must be avoided, as they are apt to tear 

 the worm, and force it down on the bend of the 

 hook, thus exposing the shank. You must also 

 allow the point of your rod to go nearer the water 

 than in casting a fly, as it is necessary to extend 

 the rod to the full length, in order to get the bait 

 as far out as possible. In doing this you must not 

 lower the point of your rod till you have given the 

 worm all the forward impetus you intend ; then 

 lower it slowly almost to a level with the water, 

 and the worm will go to the full stretch of both 

 rod and line. Whenever the worm lights, raise 

 your rod gradually, so as to keep as little of your 



