56 TROUT LORE 



out saying that no sinker, not even a single shot, 

 is used. 



I must devote a paragraph to the ways of trout 

 in flood time, for sometimes anglers reach the 

 stream when the water is over the banks, dark 

 and murky; to fly-fish is impossible, and bait 

 seems out of the question. At such times the 

 trout congregate in deep pools and lie upon the 

 bottom just gorging themselves with rain- 

 washed worms. After such a saturnalia of greed 

 they will not look at a worm or fly for several 

 days: hence, "Trout feed on a rising stream but 

 not upon a falling." A baited hook cast into 

 such a pool and allowed to sink to the bottom will 

 be seized with avidity, but there is little sport in 

 the fishing, only meat. 



One might dismiss the question of tackle for 

 worm-fishing with but a word were it not for the 

 fact that as a rule altogether too heavy tackle is 

 employed. The orthodox bait-rod is overly long, 

 stiff in the back, with reel-seat above the hand. 

 For all worm-fishing save that on little streams, 

 which will be taken up in a later chapter, I use 

 a nine-foot five-ounce fly-rod, with reel-seat be- 

 low the hand. The reel should be below the 

 hand ; you will agree with me after you have be- 

 come accustomed to the position, though at first 



