104 Clap-bait Fishing. 



The Clap-bait. 



THEEE are two species of this grub, found under cow- 

 claps from the beginning of May till Michaelmas. The 

 first one is bigger and yellower than a gentil or maggot, 

 but of the same shape, and has two black spots on the 

 thicker end. It is a tough good bait. The second is a grub of 

 a slaty cast very like the Stick Cadis. It has a black head 

 and feelers, and is alsoamost excellent bait, although, being 

 very tender, it requires great care in putting on to the hook. 

 It is found at the same place and at the same time as the 

 first, but continues longer and when the claps are drier. 

 They are both to be kept in a tin or other box, among 

 some of the same earth they are found in. Both should 

 be angled with pretty near the surface, though they are 

 taken when considerably under water. They will take 

 trout, grayling, chub, dace, &c. and should be fished in 

 the same way and in the same places as the artificial fly. 

 Some Anglers use them on the point-fly while Fly-fishing ; 

 but it is better to arm a fly-hook with a bristle projecting 

 from the shank, either with or without a turn or two of 

 a small dark cock's hackle for a head, according to fancy : 

 this should be tied with yellow silk. Run the hook into 

 the first-named grub at the thicker end, and insert the 

 bristle, to keep it on the shank of the hook while angling. 

 These grubs have taken trout in our rivers and tributaries 

 when nothing else would tempt them, and more especially 

 when the waters were very low and clear. 



The Cod-bait, Cad-bait, Cadis or Case-worm, sometimes 

 called Ruffcoats or Straw-worms. Tihese baits are of three 

 different kinds. The first is found under stones that lie 

 loose and hollow in small brooks, shallow rivers, or very 

 fine gravel, in case or husk, and when best for use are of 

 a yellow colour, rather bigger than a gentil, with a black 

 head. The second is a green sort, found in pits, ponds, 



