426 SALMON AND TROUT. 



is a great convenience to the fisherman ; but from the middle to the 

 end of May or early June is commonly about the time, and if the 

 angler puts Dr. Peard's charming little book, ' A Year of Liberty, 

 into his portmanteau, he will need no abler or more agreeable guide. 

 An analogous system to that above described is pursued occa- 

 sionally on some streams in England ; but on others it is strictly 

 prohibited, and on many hardly considered fair fishing. The 

 circumstances of the two cases, however, are entirely different. 



THE WASP-GRUB. 



In some rivers, such as those of Shropshire and Hereford- 

 shire, the wasp-grub is occasionally a very killing bait for trout, 

 although, curiously enough, grayHng are but seldom taken with 

 it, even in rivers where they most abound. The only differ- 

 ence as regards tackle, method of fishing, ground baiting, 

 &c., between wasp-grub fishing for trout and gentle-fishing for 

 grayling, as described further on, is in the size of hook, which 

 should be about a No. 6 or 7 ' New scale.' Two wasp-grubs 

 may be used as the bait ; the first run right through from 

 head to tail and drawn up the hook- shank, the second covering 

 the point and bend of the hook. 



Though an excellent bait for trout, and, indeed, said to 

 take the finest fish and those in the best condition, the wasp- 

 grub is an exceedingly delicate bait to manipulate. So delicate, 

 indeed, as not to be fit for use in its natural state, and to 

 require much care and attention in preparation. 



The plan adopted by Mr. Jones, of Ludlow, an apostle of 

 this kind of fishing, was as follows : 



To a pot of boiling water add a little salt, and whilst it is 

 boiling put the wasp-grubs into it for two or three minutes. 

 Take the pot off, then pour the water and its contents through 

 a sieve, and when the grubs have remained a minute or two to 

 ' draw ' put them on the hob on a duster, or on a piece of 

 flannel, or cloth of some sort, for about half an hour. This 

 draws out the moisture and makes the grub sufficiently tough 

 to remain on the hook. 



