The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-04-19
THE FISHING OF TROUT.
MOST FISHERMEN USE WORMS
 FOR. CATCHING,


 the HOOk-Necessity of Having
 Worms Appear as in Nature.
 One out of every twenty brook trout anglers uses the fly; the rest fish with worms. Only one of the nineteen is an experienced worm fisherman; the remaining ones are what I shall term 'plumpers," who only make a practice of fishing during short vacation in dhe summer It iss to these bumper (so called because they only know how to plump a worm into the water and yank trout back again,) that 1 wish to present a few ideas whereby they may get some real sport, instead of be- ing merely butchers intent only in slaughter.
 They soon get to know by experi- ence that brook trout, even when gling worm. Therefore it Is only an idiot who fails to land them. There is infinitely more shame than pride in having a photograph taken by the side of long string of trout-often the greater part being little above the size allowed by law to be taken. l advo- cate giving the fish a fair show and getting some real sport out of the game. Legitimate worm fishing is an art easily learned, giving ample pleas nre and playing to the angler.
 In the small, swift-running brooks that tumble over rocks and sunken tree trunks, where the water swirls in foamy circles, the tackle should be of the lightest and daintiesr description a four-ounce, eight-foot rod that is not too long and getting everlastingly tangled overhead; that is easy to guide through brambles and laurel bushes such a rod is invaluable. Have the line to matchdthe thinnest and lightest in weight; also have the reel very small, with stiff click to retard any rushes under low branches or fallen logs. Trout always dart off, if possible. to hiding places where if is difficult to dislodge or get at ti3efn. The best leader for this fishing should be very fine indeed, and only three feet long, as 1t often happens that the tip cannot be raised because of overhanging branches, and long leader cannot be reeled in close enough to get the net under the fish. A willow net with a rubber ring to fit on the wrist is ad- advlsibie; especially so when the fish run to good size, of from ten to if teen inches, for it often happens that when such a fish is hooked there is no place in sight where one can lead i1im out of the water on to the beach.
 The hooks cannot be too small, and a liberal number should be supplied, and tied to a fine smell of the same thickness as the leader. This completes the outfit. It is a great mistake to use split shot to sink the worm, The bait should at all times float on the sur face like a fly. Trout always rise to a worm (and will never follow 1t to the bed of the brook, even in deep water), provoking the angler is out of sight.
 In batting the hook never put on a great bunch of three or four worms; 1t is half as effective as a small single live worm. With big bunch some time must elapse before the fish swal- lows it, and then if small fish is landed he has to be killed to extract the hook. Large fish will swim around bunch of worms as if doubtful about touching it, because in nature no such thing happens, whereas a single worm only half impaled on the hook with the tail wrigling around arouses an instant desire to seize 1t quickly. To properly hook worm 1t should be worked right over the hook until 1t Is entirely cov- cred That will nearly insure the barb's piercing the lips instead of the hook being swallowed.
 Rebait it every time a fish is caught, oftener if necessary. Never have rag ged parts left on the hook. All parts of dead worms should be removed, Have nothing on the hook but the single live worm, with one-third wrlg- gling. Most expert bait anglers SCOUT their worms, always having large supply on hand in a good-sized tin can, having one-fourth filled with a sandy soil, and on top lay some damp moss, soaked well with milk and few pieces of bread. In a few days the worms will harden and become lighter in color. When ready to start have the bait box wrapped round the waist and a part of the worms put in the box Now that all is ready we will make our way toward the stream or mountain brook not more than twelve feet wide, nor more than a foot and a half deep, ex- cept in the pools made by logs and rocks. Step lightly into the water and from the middle of the brook cast the worm gently, without splash, to the right bank, having the line the same length as the rod. Work the bait in a semicircle to the left bank. If no fish take it reel out another six feet of line, thus covering further distance and draw it slowly across to the other side. The force of the water keeps the bait on the surface in sight of the angler If fish takes the bait he will rush to the bank as he sees the angler he will not run upstream.
 If the fish is a ten-inch trout slight ly check the line, but hold him from going a distance; then turn him and gradually reel until he is near enough to place the net under him. Now re- bait with fresh worm and take a few steps, forward and repeat the same movements as before, taking care how ever, to use the utmost caution in nov ing downstream-no floundering about or waving the rod. Let the water car ry the bait forward after the side cast is made, and keep steady eye on the