56 BOTTOM FISHING IN THE NOTTINGHAM STYLE. 



scouring these small worms that is very well worth repro- 

 duction here. He says : " If any of your angling readers 

 wish to have a lot of worms always in splendid order and 

 tough, let them get some flax waste, soak it well and gradually 

 in water, put a reasonable quantity of worms in a stout 

 wooden box, fill it three parts full with the flax waste, when 

 thoroughly soaked and soddened ; in place of a lid, cover the 

 box with a wet cloth, which should be wetted every two or 

 three days, and the worms will keep for three or more 

 months without changing the stuff or any further trouble. 

 A greased cloth put in among the waste is an advantage, 

 more so if the worms are wanted for immediate use." 



This is a plan that is well worth consideration, and will be 

 found to be a worthy companion to the breading-heap just 

 mentioned. I have been very particular in my description 

 of these worms, and in the method of treating them, because 

 they are the most useful baits that an angler can have, and 

 I know that two, three, or four of these sorts of worms, 

 according to their sizes, on a No. 8 hook, make a capital 

 chub bait, especially in the months of February and March. 

 At the beginning of the season, say about the latter end 

 of June, and all through July, the caddis will be found 

 a deadly bait for chub. These curious-looking insects are 

 found sticking to the stones, on the under side, next to the 

 bottom of the river. I have found them in the Trent from 

 May to August, and sometimes in September. In gathering 

 them, carefully pull up a stone, and as carefully turn it over ; 

 and sometimes you may see as many as a dozen sticking to it. 

 They are protected by an outside shell ; this shell is about 

 three-quarters of an inch long and a quarter of an inch thick ; 

 it is composed of very minute pebbles and shells on the out- 

 side, while the inside looks to me to be composed of sand and 

 slime from the insect. When you have gathered a quantity 

 of them, they are ready for use at once, the sooner the better, 

 for they become soft and flabby if kept any time. I have 

 tried various dodges to keep them for a few days, and have 

 put them in a vessel of water, changing the water two or 

 three times a day, but they soon become soft and useless. 

 Damp moss will keep them good for a few days. Once I left 



