CHUB. 133 



found in shelves under banks, and in holes that are 

 shaded and protected by the roots of trees, bushes, &c. 

 They are a bold-biting fish, but are shy, and easily 

 driven away. It is material, therefore, to keep out of 

 sight as much as possible. The rod best adapted for 

 taking chub is a bag -rod, with a roach top, having a 

 winch and running line, and a line of double hair down 

 to just below the hook, and thence a single one. Or, 

 if you cannot yet manage such a line, which requires 

 good skill to avoid breaking, you must take a fine gut. 

 The float should be a neat quill-tipped cap, that will 

 carry six or seven shot, according to the rapidity of the 

 stream; and the hook a No. 8 or 9. You may bait 

 with worms, maggots, wasp-grubs, or snails. Bullock, 

 calf, or sheep's brains make a good ground-bait in 

 winter time. Greaves are also used, especially in 

 summer and autumn. It should always be borne in 

 mind, whatever material is used, that the chub loves a 

 large bait. When using gentles, or small worms, two 

 should be put upon the hook. As blowing brains is a 

 nasty practice (chewing them, and blowing them into 

 the river), the best plan is to cut them into small pieces 

 with your scissors, and mix them up with some bran 

 and house-sand. Having prepared your tackle, and 

 plumbed your depth, throw in some of your ground- 

 bait as quietly as possible, and then let your baited 

 hook fall in, so as to be a little way from the ground. 

 The moment you perceive a bite, strike, and then let 

 the fish have line to run freely, or it will break hook or 

 line. If managed properly, it is soon tired, and may 

 ber brought to land. If you are filing amongst trees 

 which you must do in winter then you should have a 

 stronger line, of a moderate length, and without a 



