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CHAPTER VIII. 



WORM FISHING FOR TROUT. 



ANTIQUITY OF WORM FISHING ; BUSH FISHING ; 

 TACKLE REQUISITE ; " TRAWLING " FOR 

 TROUT; SCIENTIFIC WORM FISHING. 



THE term Worm-fishing, to many minds, conveys 

 rather an obnoxious impression, anglers being 

 as a class rather apt to ignore what has for ages 

 been considered the most primitive bait for the 

 simplest and most ancient method of fishing. As 

 a lure for trout, until a recent period, the worm was 

 but little used. We shall endeavour to show that 

 this lure may be artistically and scientifically worked 

 in clear and rapid trout streams, wherever situate. 



Worm fishing in discoloured water, it is well known, 

 is practicable under circumstances when other experi- 

 ments usually fail. Here the simplicity of the system 

 pursued is exemplary of the art as practised by our 

 forefathers ; a cork float, leaded line, large hook, and 

 stout gut, constituted the customary rig-out. In 

 swollen streams fish congregate at the circulating 

 side eddies, whether in or out of the usual water- 

 course. Here the fisherman inserts the bait, and 

 as an undue advantage is extended to the rodster 

 by the thickened state of the water, the largest and 



