THE CHUB. 125 



irresistible. So far as angling is concerned, it is 

 usually caught by that peculiar mode of art called 

 dibbing. The lure, whether moth or beetle, is 

 allowed to hang perpendicularly from the point of 

 the rod, and just touching the water. By tapping 

 the butt-end with the knuckles, a trembling or 

 gentle struggling is produced, in imitation of what 

 would be the natural movements of the insect, had 

 it fallen unincumbered by hook or line upon the 

 water. The chub will be made to rise by this de- 

 ception, if he is inclined to rise at all. He often, 

 however, prefers to continue sitting where he is. 

 This species spawns in spring, and is regarded as 

 rather coarse, the best mode of dressing being that 

 of broiling with the scales on. It seldom attains 

 to any considerable size, though a specimen is re- 

 corded which weighed five pounds. 



The chub is rather a dull fish upon the hook, 

 and is speedily tired. Great caution is required 

 on the angler's part, as it is naturally fearful, and 

 sinks, on the least alarm, towards the bottom of 

 the stream. The baits used, besides those already 

 mentioned, are maggots, grasshoppers, salmon-roe, 

 &c. Black and dun flies gaudily dressed, and 

 ribbed with gold or silver twist, are well adapted 

 for deceit in streams, and the red-spinner is not 

 to be despised. The landing net is particularly 

 necessary in angling for chub, as the best spots are 

 generally encumbered by trees or bushes, which 

 prevent or interfere with the fish being either 

 drawn to hand or pulled ashore. 



