72 WORM-FISHING FOR TROUT. 



am by no means clear, however, that this tackle 

 will not be found equally advantageous in all kinds 

 of worm-fishing, either with a float, as for Barbel, 

 Bream, Perch, &c., and especially in running water. 

 If Trout, which are in many respects a very shy 

 fish, will take it readily in the finest and brightest 

 water, there seems to be no reason why other and 

 bolder fish should not do so ; and if they will, I 

 cannot but think, for the reasons above mentioned, 

 that it must entirely supersede the present single- 

 hook system." 



The trace for worm tackle should consist of 

 about two yards of the finest stained gut ; one or 

 two shot, according to the depth and rapidity of 

 the stream, being placed on the line some 1 4 inches 

 above the hooks. The object of this is to weight 

 the bait, so as to bring it close to or touching the 

 bottom without checking or sticking fast ; but in 

 broad shallow water no sinkers at all will be found 

 necessary. A longish rod is most convenient for 

 the purpose. 



With regard to baits, any well-scoured worms 

 which are not much larger nor smaller than that 

 represented in the woodcut will do ; but for worm- 

 fishing for Trout, as for most other species of fresh- 

 water fish, the brandling, or striped dunghill worm, 

 is distinctly the best, probably owing to its 

 peculiar pungent smell and red colour. For the 



