AND HOW I HAVE CAUGHT MY FISH 31 



on the particular morning of which I write, to fill it. 

 Close by I gathered the moss, and in the kitchen 

 garden of the hotel I got red worms (a small worm 

 with a knot in the centre) and red heads (a small 

 dew-worm) from an old cucumber bed ; and from 

 some old and moist manure near the cowsheds, a 

 few gilt-tails or brandlings, which is a small worm 

 with alternate rings of red and yellow. That these 

 treasures might scour and brighten quickly I poured 

 a tablespoon of milk over them, and then I stood 

 possessed of all that was needed for any fish that 

 swims in discoloured waters in one little bag, with 

 a big mouth, out of which I could with ease take 

 the worm I most desired. 



" You must not every worm promiscuous use, 

 Judgment will tell the proper baits to choose." 



During the day the river gathered back within 

 its bounds, and by the next morning was just perfec- 

 tion for the art we meditated. I started with ex- 

 pectations of enjoyment as keen as if it were early 

 spring and Tay salmon the quarry. 



In the eddying pools we used a little float with 

 two twists of fine lead wire to cock it better than 

 split shot, as it can be easily removed a foot or 

 more above the hook ; and as it was sea-trout or 

 salmon we hoped for most, we had a No. 7 hook 

 baited with a medium-sized red-head or two brand- 

 lings. 



Here and there we got a fish, sometimes two, 



