THE TROUT. 51 



the other, shade-fishing:, which is practised in the hottest and 

 brightest davs, when the rivers are nearly dried up, and sport can 

 be obtained by scarcely any other means. 



Some anglers are very expert at both these methods, and often 

 kill considerable quantities of fish when the fly-fisher can do nothing. 

 The great secret is to know where the fish lie, to keep the line as 

 perpendicular as possible, and when the water is clear and bright, 

 to have the lightest and finest tackle consistent with the reciuisite 

 strength. 



The red-worm, which has been suficiently scoured in moss, is 

 the very best that can be used. Some, indeed, prefer the brand- 

 ling, but it never stands the water so well as the red worm. 

 There is a good worm to be found under old cow-dung in the fields, 

 but these are not always to be got when wanted. The worm ought 

 not to be large, for in bright days, when the streams are clear and 

 sparkling, the trout will scarcely even look at a big worm. 



^The hooks for worm fishing should always be straight. Those 

 with a bend generally break the worm speedily, and in clear weather 

 this is fatal to success. The hooks ought always to be as small as 

 is compatible with the easy threading on of the worm. 



In a suitable stream, shade or bush-fishing is one of the most 

 agreeable and amusing modes of angling for trout. It is the only 

 method which gives you an insight into the instincts and habits of 

 the fish. In the months of July and August, when the weather is 

 dry and hot, and the sun shines finely over head, and the streams 

 are nearly dried up, and ordinary anglers smile in derision, that any 

 one should be fool enough to take a rod in hand, go out with some 

 small red worms, to a shady part of the stream where there is a 

 fine stony or gravelly bottom, and as great a depth of water as you 

 can find. Here worm your way into the very thickest part of the 

 bushes, taking care to have the sun in your face ; for, if you get 

 with your back to the luminary of day, the shadow of yourself and 

 rod falling on the water will entirely defeat your object. Your rod 

 must be short and stiff, and the rings rather large, in order that, 

 when you hook a fish, there should be no obstacle in the way to 

 your giving him whatever length of line his size may require. 



When you have taken up the desired position, peep cautiously 

 into the deep water, and you will soon perceive nsh. Bait your 

 hook, and let it drop into the water, without any shot, as snugly 

 and lightly as possible; you will soon see how greedily the bait 

 will be seized. 



Though deep water is of course preferable, still, if the water be 

 only six inches in depth, it will answer your purpose. In such 

 situations, if you perceive trout, you will observe that almost every 

 fish has a certain space of water to himself, about which he takes 

 his regular rounds, always returning to the exact sp9t from whence 

 he set out. Watch when he starts from this position, and then 

 throw your bait behind him, in the snot he has just left, so that 

 when he returns, it may be lying still at the bottom. He will 



