102 FISHING IN EDEN 



as big as the copper bowl of Bob's warming pan. 

 The wasp grubs were used as bait for chub, which 

 were plentiful in some deep pools of the river, and 

 could be seen that year sailing about in shoals. 

 But we soon tired of that kind of kill-time sport. 



One evening whilst we were sitting by the river, 

 after a baking-hot day, watching the swifts at their 

 shrill play, Bob remarked, " There's nowt for ye 

 to dea but start that new fangled dodge of ' runnen 

 worm.' ' He had no thought of trying it himself, 

 had given up all idea of good water that year, and 

 thought I had better get to work at something before 

 my next exile to town. It was a habit of his to 

 sympathise with me in my forced absences from the 

 river. 



Although neither of us knew anything about 

 " runnen worm " " Bob " at least thought our 

 knowledge of the river was enough for an attempt. 



So we borrowed a friend's copy of " Stewart," and 

 set about making a long, light, double-handed rod 

 out of sundry discarded old butts and tops. 

 Stewart's directions were followed very carefully, 

 and the well-known three hook tackles were soon 

 ready. 



The dry weather had been too much for the 

 worms, and all ordinary places such as kitchen 

 gardens were drawn blank. Finally we found 



