MAY-FLY FISHING 155 



size of the creeper suits the tackle. Two hooks 

 possess this advantage over one, that the second hook 

 prevents the creeper from slipping down on the 

 shank of the hook, which, when one hook is used, it 

 always does. In large rivers such as Tweed, or rivers 

 inhabited by large trout, it may be advisable to use 

 two creepers, in which case they should be baited in 

 the same manner and upon the same tackle as will 

 subsequently be recommended for the May-fly. The 

 creeper should be used in the same manner as a worm 

 fishing up stream without a sinker, and in the same 

 kind of water, which, as we have fully described in 

 worm -fishing, it is unnecessary to repeat here. The 

 only difference is, that whereas the angler will 

 frequently catch trout with the worm in moderately 

 still water, he will scarcely ever catch one with the 

 creeper, and should therefore confine his operations en- 

 tirely to strong water. The state of water and weather 

 most suitable is exactly the same as that looked upon 

 with most favour by the worm-fisher a small clear 

 water and a sunny day, with a breeze. The best 

 time of day entirely depends upon the weather ; if 

 the weather is mild, trout will take readily early in 

 the morning, but in cold weather they do not com- 

 mence till 8 or 9 A.M., and leave oft' in about five or 

 six hours. 



The creeper in general will not be found effective 

 until trout are thoroughly in condition, as until they 

 are so they have not strength to lie in the streams, 

 where alone this bait is of any use. The longer 

 they remain on the water, the more readily trout 



