BAIT FISHING 233 



sport ; but fish will sometimes take well even in 

 a frost. 



Many excellent and credible fishermen have in- 

 formed me that they have had good sport with the 

 worm in northern rivers, and in those of Ireland, 

 when the water was thick. Their testimony I do 

 not doubt ; I only say fish are not caught with the 

 worm, or bait, as it is called, when the water is in 

 a foul state in Tweed. I remember a gentleman 

 applying to me for leave to take a day's salmon 

 fishing, which I granted. There had been rain the 

 day before, and a spate came down in the morning. 

 I thought this unlucky ; but he was of the contrary 

 opinion, and rejoiced in the change ; " For," said 

 he, " if I sit on the point of a cairn, I shall catch 

 every travelling fish that passes with a worm, as 

 I have often done in Ireland." This was a new light 

 to Charles Purdie and myself. Worms were given 

 him in abundance ; an excellent cairn selected for 

 the sport ; and there my gentleman sat the livelong 

 day without having an offer. Old Richard Wilson 

 could have introduced him into the landscape with 

 effect, for he was picturesque and well placed ; but 

 as a fisherman, says Charlie, "he is useless a' 

 thegither." However, the cairn is a laudable monu- 

 ment of his patience and perseverance.* 



* Worm fishing still remains a useful alternative method both 

 in low and high water, but it does not seem to be equally effective 

 in all rivers. A better method, of which Scrope evidently knew 

 nothing, is the use of a prawn or shrimp. The shrimp especially is 

 a very good bait for low water, and it requires a good deal of skill 

 in the using, especially if it be fished on a single hook more or less 

 like a fly, which is the most artistic plan. (ED.) 



