418 SALMON AND TROUT. 
Mr. Stewart was the first to advocate a radical reform in 
che matter of trout worm-tackle. His change was to substitute 
three or four small hooks for the one large one. This plan, by 
which the hooks were quickly and lightly passed transversely 
through the worm instead of being, as it were, threaded through 
it, has the additional merit of keeping the bait alive much 
longer, as well as of enabling the fish to be struck almost at the 
instant of biting, instead of being allowed some uncertain period 
in which to fairly ‘mouth,’ or, as it happens in many cases, 
‘pouch’ the worm. 
The drawback to this tackle of Mr. Stewart’s was, however, 
in my opinion, the unnecessary multiplication of the hooks. 
These produced a certain amount of difficulty and delay both 
in baiting and subsequent disgorging from the fish’s mouth. 
They also disfigured the worm, shortened its life, and whilst 
detracting somewhat from the natural appearance of the bait, 
were at the same time more conspicuous.! 
Indeed, asa matter of fact, 1 found it was by no means a 
very easy matter to insert the three, or, still worse, four hooks 
in their proper pusitions in the bait without breaking it. 
In order therefore to meet these objections, whilst at the 
same time preserving the excellent principle involved in sub- 
stituting several smaller hooks for one large one, I adopted, 
and some years ago brought to the notice of worm fishers, a 
two-hook tackle, which I believe will be found to embrace the 
meritorious part of Mr Stewart’s invention without its draw- 
back. I may, perhaps, bere quote from the arguments, fro and 
con, which I adduced at the time in support of these views.? 
1 The Practical Angler. 
? On looking through the modern school of angling authors, I find the 
fol'owing recommendations and instructions on the subject of worm fishing for 
trout: Bowlker, in his A7v¢ of Angling, recommends a single No. 5 or No. 6 
hook ; Mr, Stoddart advises, in his 4zyler’s Companion, single hooks, sizes 
Nos. 10, 11, or 12, according to the dimensions of the stream, its condition, 
and the kind of trout inhabiting it; Mr. Bailey, in his Angler's Instructor, 
suggests a single No. 7; Otter’s Alodern Angler, a No. 5; ‘Glenfin’ (The 
Fishing Rod, and hw tv use it), a 6 or 7; ‘Ephemera,’ Hewett Wheatley, 
and some other authors either simply recommend ‘a single hook,’ withozt 
