BEETLES AS BAIT. 211 



description admits, keep well back from the river side ; 

 even the still pools may be found productive. In this 

 case the nearest bank must be fished first, afterwards 

 the middle and opposite side, and then the open water. 

 The instant the fish rises at your fly you must strike 

 as in artificial fly fishing, and play as is usual in that 

 branch of the art. For this open dibbing, a full 

 length of fly cast is necessary, and that too of fine 

 substance. The artistic method of fly fishing with the 

 blow-line, as referred to in the Notes on the Mouths, 

 is much practised in Scotland and Ireland, upon the 

 lochs containing trout, more especially when the 

 May fly is up. 



Beetles of every kind form admirable baits for 

 trout, as also for chub, and other fish. These are 

 to be had " artificial," and when a maggot or wasp- 

 grub is fixed upon the hook, they are found quite as 

 killing as the " naturals." Cockchafers, cockroaches, 

 and dockers are all deemed acceptable to the hunger- 

 ing fish, during the season of low waters and scant 

 food. 



When either Daping or Dibbing, care should be 

 taken to keep a taut and straight line, as intervening 

 slack line renders it a moral impossibility to handle 

 the bait and strike effectually, more especially when 

 angling through a small opening in the bushes 

 bordering a brook. In small places, the small lady- 

 cow (the fisherman's Marlow Buzz or Coch-y-bondu) 

 is used as a live lure in fine water. These hardy little 

 insects do not leave the hook so readily as the more 

 slender and frail flies. A capital plan of using them 



