HOW TO USE THE CREEPER 195 



ON CRAB OR CREEPER-FISHING 



Here, again, is a method of bait-fishing very widely indulged 

 in, which is really very deadly in skilful hands, and which might 

 be held poaching if any bait-fishing is, nevertheless it is not. The 

 crab or creeper is the larva of the stone fly, and may be found 

 running about amongst the stones on the wet strands of rivers 

 where the stone fly is plentiful, during the month of April and on 

 through much of May, according to the season, a week or two 

 sooner or later. In appearance it resembles strongly a black 

 insect which we used to call in my early youth the " Devil's 

 coach horses," an insect which perhaps will be recognised by 

 its habit of erecting its tail, or the latter half of its body, in the 

 air, when disturbed. I believe its proper name is the rose 

 beetle. Like to it is the creeper, save that it has horns or 

 feelers on the head, and somewhat similar appendages to the 

 tail. It is not a prepossessing looking insect. It is very active, 

 and not so very easy to catch. However, the laddies by the 

 river-side will always collect the angler a good stock of them 

 for a consideration if they are to be obtained. 



The method of using the creeper very much resembles that 

 used in lob worm fishing in the larger brooks and rivers, but 

 with this remarkable difference, that whereas the lob worm 

 is most deadly when the water is coloured slightly, the creeper 

 is most deadly when it is low and bright. The later the creeper 

 can be fished in the season the better the chance is with trout. 

 The method of using it is as follows : The gut should, of course, 

 be of the finest, some two or three yards ; the hook a straight- 

 bend No. 7, with a longish shank. Some people prefer two 

 smaller hooks, one above the other, the lower hook hooked 

 crosswise through the tail, and the upper through the thorax ; 

 and doubtless with a tender bait like this, this plan is worth 

 consideration. I generally, however, when I have used it, 

 employed but one hook, as above ; but to prevent the fly 

 slipping down to the bend of the hook, I lash into the shank of 

 the hook a short bristle, leaving about a quarter of an inch of it 

 pointing out and upwards towards the gut, and this prevents 

 the bait from slipping down, while it forms no resistance 

 whatever to baiting. Choose the creeper with the most yellow 

 about it (as we believe do the trout) for preference. This, I 

 fancy, is the female, and trout favour the feminine gender with 

 more flies than the stone fly. Take the hook and insert the 

 point at the top of the thorax, threading the bait upon the 



