The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-08-25
Catching Trout.


person, the less chance of bite. The
contrary is the case in fishing down
stream; the bait is carried by the cur
rent away from the fisherman, and his
chances of capture are each moment in
creased. If the brook is large enough
and even in very small ones-if practi-
cable, it is always best to wade in the
bed of the stream, as by this means one
can keep the bait in the water for long
distances without making cast, which,
in the localities | am speaking of, almost
always, unless skillfully done, ends in
ones seeing ones tackle fast to some
bough or bush overhanging the stream.
Again, in fishing up stream, it is impossi-
Bile to keep the bait stationary in any
spot one may desire to cast in, unless by
standing upon the bank, and the chances
of capture are thus greatly decreased;
while in fishing down stream, one can not
only hold the bait in one spot, but by
motion of the arm conduct it in any
given direction sink it toward the
bottom, draw it up stream to the right
or to the left to tempt the hidden trout,
the motion of the running water upon
the bait giving one complete control of it
by the slightest motion of the arm. To
be successful in this sport, first give up
all idea of using artificial flies; there is
usually no chance to cast them, and very
few fish will rise to them, and then only,
usually, at early morn or sunset. Use
light but very short jointed pole, not
over twelve feet IN length, with fine,
delicate running gear and small, com
pact reel; small hooks, gagged upon
silk-worm gut, of any make that one
prefers, there being great diversity of
opinion on this matter among fishermen.
The Limerick hook has gone nearly out
of date, and how it was endured so long
is mystery. The Kirby and Aberdeen
have taken its place. Put no lead upon
your line at any time; it kills the artistic
and natural motion of your bait. Use,
as the most killing bait yet discovered,
anglewOrms; and these may be much
improved by being kept few days upon
clean moss in an uncovered, large
mouthed bottle, that they may scour
themselves. In batting, do not pay the
slightest attention to whether the point
of your hook is covered or not; it is of
small consequence, or rather it is more
deadly and better not to be covered than
otherwise. The trout does not nibble;
he darts; he takes, as a rule, the bait at
once, or leaves it severely alone. You
will find no more taking bait the year
round than angle-worms, although grass
hoppers at certain seasons are very kill
ing. In batting, take worm by the
middle and pierce the hook through a
small portion, say half an inch; then
put on another in the same way at
the same time. If the fish are small,
half a worm treated in this manner will
do; but trout has large mouth, and a
large bait no doubt attracts. The dang
ling ends of the worms placed as above
upon the hook have peculiar and natu
raj motion of their own in the water
which hungry trout is utterly unable to
resist, while one may, on the other hand,
cover the whole hook and part of the
gut with a worm stiffly strung on with
out motion, and the same trout will let it
be carried past him by the current with
out winking.
There is great science in batting, and
it chiefly rests in the skill of having the
worms lively, and with the eXtremities
left dangling. The bait is often carried
over little fall into smooth, deep
pool; allow it to sink, and all the while
it is doing so these four ends of the two
worms are moving about in the clear
water in a much too enticing way for
any chance trout to resist. When you
have bite do not pull at ALL but strike
your fish, as it is called; this is done by
motion of the wrist, sharp, short,
abrupt; not jerk-a motion which is
commenced sharply, but ends almost in
stantly and abruptly. can liken it only
to quick movement of the hand in
bringing a foil, in fencing from tierce to
carte. 1t is done by bringing the fin
gernails, which are downward holding
the rod, suddenly to the left and up
ward, moving the end of the pole up.
ward and to the left some one or two
feet. Having struck thus, you in the
most cases have captured your fish. Be
in no hurry to land him; this is a simple
thing to do; you can do it at your own
leisure, stepping back to sure founda-
ton should you be in a uncomfortable
PoSitiOh III IChCulLS W Ludht luc CdSl, VI
make any other disposition that you
desire before raising your fish gently
from the water, thence to your creel.
The great mistake often made by those
who do not understand this sport is to
pull the moment they have bite; the
result usually is to see the trout wind
himself round about some limb over
head, or if he fail to be hooked, which is
often the case in pulling, to see the bait
and hook in the same position, causing
loss of time, patience, and too often
temper, especially when you feel conf
dent that there are other trout in the
pool ahead, and become aware of the
fact that you have got to make splash
and dash and complete exposure of your
self to get at your dangling line, so that
you may fish in vain in the same pool
aflerward. Remember that trout are
very shy, and, one having disturbed
them, it is useless to fish for them
Douglas Frasar, in august Harper.