CHAPTER II. 

 ON BAITS USED IN ANGLING. 



THE most common Bait used in this country for ensnaring 

 almost all varieties of the finny tribe that inhabit fresh water, 

 is the common earth-worm, or, as it is called, dew-worm, 

 dug- worm, and the angle-worm; which latter, from its univer- 

 sal use in angling, would be the most proper name. It can 

 generally be obtained by digging a foot or two in the ground, 

 except in sandy soils, which produce clear streams, and 

 where the fly will be found the better bait. Another method, 

 recommended by Elaine, is " to walk cautiously over close 

 cut lawns, or clean fed meadows, with a candle or lantern, 

 during the night. If the weather be moist, and the search be 

 conducted with a very light tread, almost any quantity may 

 be procured ; for as they are blind, it is not the light but the 

 motion which disturbs them." When they are not wanted 

 for immediate use, a good plan is, to wet some straw, or hay, 

 and lay it on the ground for a few days, by which means they 

 will be brought to the top, and can be easily gathered. An- 

 other, and a more expeditious plan, practised by Walton, and 

 others, is to take the green leaves of the walnut-tree, and 

 squeeze the juice into fresh or salt water, and pour it on the 

 ground, which will make them rise in a very short time. 



The common White Grub- Worm, is also a very good bait, 

 and will often take trout when all others have failed. They 



