1*70 PRESERVATION OF WORMS OVER WINTER. 



pletely the hook is concealed, the better will be the 

 angler's chance of success. Should any simpleton offer 

 a dead worm to the fish in a daintily-fed river, he may 

 wait with all the patience of a second Job for a nibble, 

 but I fear his perseverance will be without its reward. 



As it may be of considerable importance to be able 

 to preserve a stock of worms over winter, to try one's 

 luck in some of the milder days of early spring, when the 

 maiden strains of the storm-cock first salute the ear, and 

 whisper that even now some early revived finsters may 

 be tempted from their retirement ; and when as yet the 

 worm, in his natural haunts, lies hybernating in his 

 winter repose far down in the earth, beyond the reach 

 of either spade or mattock ; I may mention that worms 

 may be preserved for any length of time, either in 

 summer or winter, by placing them in a wooden box 

 filled with a mixture of rich soil and half-rotten leaves 

 or bark, when a few may be taken out and scoured in 

 moss as they are wanted. 



WORM KOD AND TACKLE. 



THE EOD for worm-fishing may be similar to that 

 recommended for minnow-spinning, and both longer and 

 stronger than the fly-rod. Nothing confers a greater 

 advantage upon the bait-fisher than a long and powerful 

 rod ; as it enables him not only to keep out of view of 

 the fish a matter of the first importance but also to 

 command a much greater extent of water. The reel-line 

 must also be considerably stouter than that used for fly, 



