AXD HOW TO CAST IT. 275 



In casting a worm it is advisable to commence \vitk a 

 line no longer than the rod, and this may be increased 

 while throwing in the usual way. In bringing out the 

 line behind over the shoulder, the return must not be 

 made so abruptly as it is with the fly, or the worm 

 will speedily be whipped off or torn, but while bringing 

 the rod to the forward motion a much wider and rounder 

 sweep must be made. The line must be perfectly extended, 

 with the worm at the extreme end of it, and, if I may so 

 express it, * at rest,' before the return is made. The 

 worm will consequently fall so low that it touches the 

 surface of the water before it is again impelled forward ; 

 and, if a good worm-fisher is watched when at work, this 

 will be seen constantly to take place. To get into the 

 regular swing, to do it neatly, and to cast accurately, 

 require a good deal of practice ; and an expert worm-fisher 

 can cast a good long line with a worm at the end neatly 

 and effectively. If the water be coloured, a line a trifle 

 longer than the rod is sufficient, and the underhand lift or 

 throw will answer all purposes ; but clear water requires 

 a longer line and more careful manipulation. 



In fishing with the worm, more particularly with the 

 single hook, when you are not mid-water fishing but are 

 letting the bait ground, you should always cast so far up- 

 stream as to permit the worm to reach the bottom just 

 above the point where you expect fish, so that it may 

 come trundling along over the favourite feeding-ground 

 like the natural and free bait. In this style of fishing, 

 when the worm enters the water, sink the point of the rod 

 towards the surface, to allow it freely to find the bottom ; 

 but when you have reason to believe that it has reached it, 

 or nearly so, gradually raise the point as the line comes 

 home towards you ; but you are to remark that this must 

 only be done so as to draw up the slack line, not pulling 

 upon the worm in any way. Indeed, the progress of the 



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