CHUB : AND A METHOD OF CHUBBING. 63 



through its rings a stoutish, plaited silk line, which has been well 

 vaselined to make it buoyant, and of which some fifty yards are 

 wound upon a free and easy-running winch. Then, after the medium 

 gut-cast with a No. 4 Crystal hook has been attached to the reel-line, 

 and the swan -quill float, capable of carrying six or seven large split 

 shot, has been carefully adjusted, everything is ready for action. 

 Let it be noted that the rover's " kit " is as light as possible for he 

 burdens himself with few accessories beyond those absolutely 

 necessary. 



Overnight, the bait, bullock's pith and brains, which, to those 

 unversed in piscatorial matters, appear so extraordinary a lure, has 

 been prepared with as much care as if intended for human con- 

 sumption. The " pith " has been skinned, washed, and cut into 

 pieces about an inch thick and |in. long ; for the " Cheven " dearly 

 loves a good mouthful. And the " brains " have been cleaned and 

 boiled, their purpose being to attract the fish. 



Cautiously approaching a chosen swim, the angler despatches 

 a consignment of the " brains " that, in a half cocoanut-shell or 

 other convenient receptacle, have been chopped into fragments and 

 thoroughly mixed with water. Then a portion of " pith " is selected 

 and worked well up the shank of the hook. Presently the swan- 

 quill float travels down stream along the boughs ; but its initial 

 journey is futile. Onward it goes again, until, on a sudden, it 

 shoots under with that downward slant characteristic of a business- 

 like " bite " ; and the first chub is securely hooked. Only a brief 

 struggle ensues, for the fish is small ; nevertheless, this early success 

 prognosticates a good day's sport. Again the float, which is skil- 

 fully held in check to allow the hook-bait to precede it, moves 

 smoothly down the swim. Several further solicitous invitations 

 prove of no avail, so fearing lest the spot has been disturbed, the 

 angler is about to visit the next " hole," when down goes the float 

 once more ; the rod-top responds instantaneously, and the fish 

 this time a good one fights lustily to the net. 



Passing on, the angler catches a glimpse of a kingfisher that 

 flashes by like a streak of gaudy colours. Yonder, a perky robin, 



