SIZE OF WORM. 145 



It is of a dark-red colour on the head and all 

 down the back, and of a pale-blue colour under- 

 neath. As a bait for trout it does not deserve 

 much attention. It is so thick in proportion to 

 its length, that if it is sufficiently long to cover 

 the hook, it makes too large a bait, and after it 

 has been a very short time in the water it loses its 

 colour, becoming quite dark, and consequently 

 not so attractive. 



With regard to the size of worm for fishing 

 where the trout are well fed and wary when the 

 waters are clear, worms can hardly be used too 

 small if they cover the hook. A worm from two 

 to three inches long, and about the thickness of a 

 hen's quill, is the largest size that should be used. 

 A small bright clean worm is always most enticing 

 to well-fed trout ; and it is quite common to meet 

 anglers using worms so large as effectually to pre- 

 vent their having the least sport. It is a great 

 error to suppose that a large worm insures a large 

 trout ; quite the reverse. A large worm will seldom 

 capture anything but some audacious little fellow of 

 a parr, or equally insignificant trout. 



Trout do not seem to evince any decided pre- 

 ference for one kind of worm before another, so 

 that the angler may use whichever kind he likes 

 best or can get most easily. The great point is 

 to have them of the right size and well scoured. 

 When newly dug, they are so full of earth as to 

 be unfit for use. Brandlings may be scoured in a 



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