238 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



worm, from those inhabiting a plain straw-like case of from 

 ^ inch to f inch in length to those whose domiciles are patched 

 together with small pieces of stone, sticks, and other debris. In 

 order to be used as a bait, it is necessary that the caddis-worm 

 should be induced to quit his habitation, and this is a matter 

 of some delicacy and difficulty — one reason, perhaps, why the 

 caddis-bait is not more commonly in use. 



Meal Worms are often a capital bait for roach, dace, qnd 

 many other fish. They are to be found amongst the refuse 

 sweepings of the flour mills and are best preserved by being 

 kept in a tin box with some of the meal in which they are 

 bred Mr. R. B. Marston recommends them to be used as a 

 winter chub bait in combination with two wasp grubs, the 

 meal worm being between the Wasp grubs with the hook simply 

 passed through the centre — laterally, not longitudinally. Both 

 wasp grubs and meal worms are usually kept in stock for sale 

 by Mr. C. Bradley, of 62 Jacob Street, Bradford, which are 

 stated to be thoroughly ' well cured,' although how the process 

 of curing is performed I know not. 



Stewed Wheat is often to be commended as a bait under 

 circumstances where paste and gentles might naturally be used. 

 Mr. E. Tildesley, Secretary, Bordesley Waltonians, gives the 

 following as the best recipe for its preparation : ' Put the 

 wheat in a stew jar and just cover it with cold water ; then 

 place it on the oven side of the grate till it gets hot,- when you 

 will find the wheat begin to swell and absorb all the water ; 

 you will then keep adding water from time to time to keep the 

 wheat covered for the space of six or seven hours, but on no 

 account allow the water to more than simmer. By the end of 

 that time the wheat will be swollen to its full size ; the skin 

 will be soft and all the flour retained. 



' In baiting the hook merely press it in from the broken side 

 right to the husk, and the chances are in favour of your hooking 

 every roach, bream, chub, or dace that bites.' 



