62 BOTTOM FISHING. 



sized worms, one being threaded above the other upon 

 the line, allowing but the least possible freedom to 

 their extremities. This done, the line may be cast in 

 the precise locality before fished, some score or so 

 scraps of worms being thrown in to allay their already 

 aroused suspicions ; this done, strike at the second 

 knock and you will seldom fail to hook your quarry. 

 With the finer tackle the chances of effecting a land- 

 ing are, nevertheless, lessened somewhat, and unless 

 some tact and dexterity is employed, in the event of 

 the hooked fish proving an old " stager " of some 

 considerable proportions, the safety of the tackle will 

 be seriously imperilled. 



With regard to the vexed question of ground bait- 

 ing, we would again record our firm conviction that 

 the system so generally in vogue of inserting bushels 

 of food upon traditional swims and resorts, tends 

 but to satiate, in many cases, until some time after 

 the subsequent attentions have been discourteously 

 treated. The remarks anent baiting for roach apply 

 also in the case of the barbel. After continued 

 rains, when the water is gradually rising from the in- 

 flux of surplus surface drainings, those fish invariably 

 turn out in quest of food ; but, after the water they 

 may inhabit has been flooded, and is again running 

 down and clearing, they have gorged themselves with 

 the abundance of food, in the shape of worms, etc., 

 brought down stream ; therefore the best time to fish 

 for them is in rising water. In the summer months, 

 when they first come in season, early and late in the 

 day are their feeding times ; the worms are then the 



