426 SALMON AND TROUT. 
is a great convenience to the fisherman ; but from the middle to the 
end of May or early June is commonly about the time, and if the 
angler puts Dr. Peard’s charming little book, ‘A Year of Liberty, 
into his portmanteau, he will need no abler or more agreeable guide. 
‘An analogous system to that above described is pursued occa- 
sionally on some streams in England ; but on others it is strictly 
prohibited, and on many hardly considered fair fishing. The 
circumstances of the two cases, however, are entirely different. 
THE WASP-GRUB. 
Tn some rivers, such as those of Shropshire and Hereford- 
shire, the wasp-grub is occasionally a very killing bait for trout, 
although, curiously enough, grayling are but seldom taken with 
it, even in rivers where they most abound. The only differ- 
ence as regards tackle, method of fishing, ground baiting, 
&c., between wasp-grub fishing for trout and gentle-fishing for 
grayling, as described further on, is in the size of hook, which 
should be about a No. 6 or 7 ‘New scale.’ Two wasp-grubs 
may be used as the bait; the first run right through from 
head to tail and drawn up the hook-shank, the second covering 
the point and bend of the hook. 
Though an excellent bait for trout, and, indeed, said to 
take the finest fish and those in the best condition, the wasp- 
grub is an exceedingly delicate bait to manipulate. So delicate, 
indeed, as not to be fit for use in its natural state, and to 
require much care and attention in preparation. 
The plan adopted by Mr. Jones, of Ludlow, an apostle of 
this kind of fishing, was as follows : 
To a pot of boiling water add a little salt, and whilst it is 
boiling put the wasp-grubs into it for two or three minutes, 
Take the pot off, then pour the water and its contents through 
a sieve, and when the grubs have remained a minute or two to 
‘draw’ put them on the hob on a duster, or on a piece of 
flannel, or cloth of some sort, for about half an hour. This 
draws out the moisture and makes the grub sufficiently tough 
to remain on the hook. 
