PRACTICAL LESSONS IN THE GENTLE CRAFT. 495 



chub or two, are captured by using a gut bottom, of a yard 

 in length, attached to a running line of the finest Notting- 

 ham or Derby silk. Before attaching the bottom, fit up a 

 long cork float on the silk line, with a small well-drilled 

 bullet below it the hole through the bullet being suf- 

 ficiently large for the line to run easily and freely. Then, 

 having tied on the gut bottom, a split shot is fixed on the 

 silk, just above the loop, so as to prevent the bullet running 

 over the bow of the silk line. Selecting the place of 

 operation, the float must be so arranged that the bullet just 

 touches the bottom, and the proper depth being thus 

 obtained, select a flat, silvery lob from amongst the stock, 

 and note those with a red vein running down to the tail 

 are the best for the hook, and put the hook point in an 

 inch below the head. Threadle the worm until the shank 

 of the hook is just covered. Worms put on in this manner 

 show far better than when looped up on the hook, or 

 entirely " threadled," and hence must be a more attract- 

 ive bait. Then cast out, and draw the bullet, when it 

 is found to have reached the bottom, towards the point 

 angled from, until the gut length is likely to lie straight on 

 the bed of the river. If there is any current, the float, after 

 righting itself, must be " held back " from the point of the 

 rod, the light silk line being clear of the water ; and do not 

 be in a hurry if a dip of the float indicates that a fish is 

 attacking the worm. Recollect that it is likely to be a 

 big one, and, as a consequence, a far more cautious gentle- 

 man than the smaller of the tribe ; wait then, until after the 

 first preliminary dip or two, the float goes down clean out 

 of sight, then strike, not too hard, however, and look out 

 for storms and a long and strong pull at the top joint. 

 Brandlings found in old rotten manure, and red worms, 

 sometimes kill as well as anything, but I must confess to a 



