BAIT-FISHING. 431 
better than the very rough freshes, though even for this 
kind of fishing perfectly still water is not so well calcu- 
lated as that rate of stream, which will move the bait 
without destroying its form or texture. 
The various modes of taking trout will be now entered 
upon. First, fishing with the worm is practised by 
obtaining all the apparatus and bait described above; the 
angler then, with his wading-boots on, if he uses them, 
quietly wades into a part of the river which will command 
an extensive sweep of likely water; or, if preferring 
terra firma, he keeps as much as possible out of sight of 
the fish upon a part of the bank suitable for his purpose, 
and below the water to be fished. It must be known, 
that the worm should in all cases be cast up stream, and 
suffered to float down again, for reasons which will be 
clear enough when explained, as follows :—first, the trout 
always lie head up stream, and therefore do not see the 
angler so well below them as above; secondly, the bait 
floats gently down without injury, which must be done to 
it if dragged against stream ; thirdly, in hooking the fish, 
the barb is much more likely to lay hold in this way than 
if he is struck in the line of the axis of his body; and 
fourthly, the water is not disturbed by the wader till it 
has been already fished. The angler swings or casts his 
worm gently as far up-stream as he can, using as long a 
line as he can easily manage, and no more, and suffering 
it to foat down with the stream till within a short distance 
of the place were he is standing, when it should be lifted 
and re-cast. When a fish is felt to bite or lay hold of the 
worm, wait a few seconds till he has done nibbling, and 
