266 THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 



gut. then thread the second worm as first mentioned and 

 bring it down to meet the other, so that the two tails will 

 hang loose together. If the worm is very large, thread 

 about a fourth of it on to the hook, bring the barb out and 

 take up a loop of the worm and thread another fourth part of 

 it, leaving a fourth of it free. Large worms as a rule should 

 be discarded by the trout angler ; the smaller kind are 

 decidedly the best to use. Worms being very slimy and 

 slippery in the fingers, it w r ill be found advisable for the 

 angler to have a little fine sand or dry soil in some 

 convenient pocket or bag, into which he can dip his 

 finger and thumb, thus obtaining a firmer grip, making 

 the baiting more satisfactory. If the angler is using the 

 three-hook or Stewart tackle, the baiting is somewhat 

 easier. The worm is taken out of the bag or box, and the 

 three hooks stuck into it ; it does not matter much how this 

 is done, so long as the hooks are holding. (See illustration.) 

 This plan is greatly practised in Scotland and also in 

 England. It is a very deadly method of using the worm, 

 and a debatable question is often raised as to which is the 

 better way, the single hook or the Stewart tackle. 



Worm Fishing 1 is divided into two sections heavy 

 or flood w r ater fishing and clear or low r water fishing. To 

 pursue the first style, the angler has a w r ell-scoured worm 

 threaded, on a round bend hook, armed to about one and 

 a-half yards of gut. Leads, either of split shot or any of the 

 other descriptions, are fastened on the line about eight or 

 nine inches above the hook, the number* of shot or weight 

 of lead varying according to the swiftness of the water. 

 These being attached to a strong reel line and short stiff 

 rod, the angler walks slowly along the bank of the river, 

 casting the bait out into the stream and allowing it to 



