GROUND-BAITS. 197 



constant habit of inserting a length of gut weaker than 

 the others, next the hook-link, in order to insure the 

 fracture of the line only at that particular part, in case 

 of it becoming irretrievably fouled. 



GROUND-BAITS FOR PONDS, ETC. 



I am quite of opinion that ground-baits may be 

 used with the most advantageous results, in ponds, or 

 in deep sluggish rivers where the trout lie scattered 

 indiscriminately ; and where there are no alternate 

 streams and pools, and where one part is just as likely 

 to hold a fish as another. They will then unquestion- 

 ably assist in drawing such fish as are on the look-out 

 for food directly towards the angler, and consequently 

 increase his chances of sport. The mode of proceeding 

 with them, I would recommend to be as under. Let 

 the sportsman choose a convenient part of the river, 

 immediately above a reach of water likely to be well 

 stocked with fish, and cast in from time to time a ball 

 of the following ground-bait, which will be found 

 peculiarly attractive to both trout and eels. It is thus 

 made ; mix together some ground malt, or wheat bran, 

 with a little clay, and a quantity of worms chopped 

 into small pieces, then add some sheep or bullock's 

 blood, and knead the whole into a paste, sufficiently 

 stiff to descend to the bottom of the water without 

 breaking, yet loose enough to crumble gradually away 

 a few minutes after it is immersed ; the proper degree 

 of tenacity is to be obtained by the use of more or less 



