CHAPTER XIII. 



Chub : and a Method of Chubbing. 



I. 



AN is essentially a wandering animal. From his nomadic 

 forefathers he has inherited an irrepressible inclination to 

 rove. Safely may it be said that the nomadic instinct is native to 

 every human being ; although in some individuals it is more highly 

 developed than in others, and, in many instances, may appear 

 almost latent. 



Hence, in the opinion of many, fly-fishing is pre-eminent among 

 systems of angling, inasmuch as it affords the greatest opportunity 

 for satisfying this desire to wander, and thus bestows upon the 

 fisherman that subtle sense of freedom which conduces so largely to 

 his happiness. However, in the pursuit of game and coarse fish 

 alike, there are several methods that possess, in a somewhat 

 modified form, this essential attribute of the unique enjoyment 

 engendered by the practice of fly-fishing. And this category 

 includes a certain method known as " Roving for chub," whose 

 peculiar attractions claim for it many votaries when the fly-rod has 

 been laid aside for the winter months. 



Never is Cyprinns cephalus in better condition than during the 

 coldest season of the year ; never, at any time, more highly esteemed 

 on account of its sport-yielding qualities ; and this despite the fact 

 that sundry anglers both speak and write of the chubopprobriously. 

 By adopting the method of roving from swim to swim, excellent 

 baskets or bags of this fish may be obtained ; although, of course, 

 much depends upon the climatic conditions and the state of the 

 water. 



