CHAPTEE IX. 



WORM-FISHING. 



Seasons and States of Weather for Worm-Fishing Different Methods 

 Proper Application of Sinkers How to bait the Hook Own 

 Method of proceeding to work Way in which Trout seize a Worm 

 When to strike Tree caught instead of a Pike Spinning the 

 Worm How to release a Fouled Line Drag-hook and Clearing- 

 Ring. 



A LTHOUGH the worm, in skilful hands, may be 

 JI\. successfully used all day long, and all the year 

 round, it is peculiarly adapted to the early spring, before 

 the appearance of flies on the water tempts the fish to 

 leave the bottom ; then it must be reckoned the sheet- 

 anchor of the angler's hopes. Again, towards the end 

 of summer, after the majority of the various tribes of 

 insects, which formed the chief food of the fish during 

 the height of the season, have disappeared ; or when 

 they seem to be satiated with an excess of such diet, 

 and resort again to bottom food ; it may be used with 

 advantage all day long. Under ordinary circumstances, 

 during the height of summer, the worm is used with 

 the best results, early in the morning, from daybreak to 

 six o'clock ; and again in the evening, from sunset to 

 darkness, in the rapids and shallows. But a peculiarly 

 favourable time to turn this bait to account, is when a 



