BAIT-FISHING 53 



with such bottom bait now and then you will take 

 a trout upon the surface. 



I always fish the pool before I get to it. If 

 in an open meadow I cast from a distance of 

 ten or more feet, if possible, and never show 

 myself unless I catch a fish so large and ob- 

 streperous that I can neither lift him out by 

 strength of rod or coax him away from his fel- 

 lows in the pool. 



Some years ago I was fishing a stream with 

 a boon companion and luck had been against us 

 all the morning, a cold blustering day in April. 

 Finally my companion became disgusted and 

 suggested that we go home; but I was not satis- 

 fied, for I never give up a problem of the kind 

 while daylight lasts. Remembering a deep pool 

 which had attracted me when I first passed, 

 though not even a bite had it rendered me, I 

 retraced my steps until I stood within casting dis- 

 tance. Then, lying down in the brown grass, I 

 cast. Instantly my worm was taken. Lying 

 so, I caught ten fish and I think would have 

 taken more had not my companion blundered up 

 on the other side to see what I was doing. 



There are many little kinks of worm-fishing 

 that one learns through experience, employs 



