Let it be understood, however, that the remarks in the foregoing paragraph apply principally to large pools extending almost the whole way across a river; but at the same time, it must not be thought that the tail end of a small pool is useless; on the contrary, such places will often yield a trout, and they are easier to fish than the larger glides.
Mention of the uses for the sinkers suggested in the outfit has been purposely left until almost the last, as in clear-water worming the part they play is a very small one.
When on an open stretch of water trouble is experienced in casting against a wind, after having first tried in vain to overcome the difficulty by reducing the length of the casting line, then, as a last resource, pinch on to the cast a small lead eighteen inches above the hooks. This will materially assist in getting out the line, and at the same time the lead will help to reduce the drag on the line which the wind will be certain to cause.
Further use for sinkers will be found when fishing rapid rivers where many channels of very swift flowing water are frequently met with. Outside these occasions, however, leads will be found of little value and their use should be exceptional in upstream worming.
Without wishing to enlarge further on this almost inexhaustible subject, there is one other point of some importance which should be mentioned and that is a method by which any difficulty experienced in detecting when the worm has been seized may be overcome. Many beginners, particularly if their eyesight is not of the best, find this a great source of trouble. Let them grease the reel line well before a start is made. It will then float, and any check upon it will be noticed immediately. If even that does not get over the difficulty, let them tie on a small piece of light-coloured wool where the cast and line join (the wool can often be obtained from the fences at the stream side where sheep have rubbed), form the wool into a tiny ball and soak it with oil such as is carried by the dry-fly man. When this ball gets water-logged all that is necessary is to squeeze it between finger and thumb and occasionally re-oil it. It will be found to float splendidly, and by following the golfer’s first maxim, “Keep your eye on the ball,” few bites will pass unobserved.
Let it be hoped that those who have read to the end of this chapter and feel any inclination to give clear-water worming a trial will get from that branch of the sport as much pleasure and satisfaction as the writers have enjoyed, during those days in summer which come, alas, all too seldom. Days which open with the incomparable freshness of a June morning, continue with the brightest of skies, with songs of birds, and murmuring streams, and close with the landscape wrapped in shadows. The while great beetles drone by, and moths, white and brown, flutter out of the grasses under foot, when it requires an effort to leave such a wonderful world, and to re-enter the dwellings of man.
Chapter V.
MINNOW FISHING.
Minnow fishing, although barred on many streams, has much to be said for it, if it be practised judiciously and at certain times of the year, as it accounts for many of the larger fish whose cannibal habits have grown in proportion to their years, and whose demise can in no way be regretted. It may, therefore, fairly be said that the majority of Northern rivers are benefited by a limited use of the minnow. But its use must be limited, for it does a stream a great deal of harm, if, from one end of the season to the other, it is daily raked with minnows, natural and artificial, of all shapes and sizes. Besides, the practice is unfair to those who wish to fish the fly, as trout are usually put down for some considerable time after a minnow has been spun over them.
It is, moreover, a mystery why any man should wish to fish the minnow during the early part of the year when trout rise readily to the fly. Spinning should therefore be restricted to times of flood, as hereafter described, and to the latter part of the season, excepting September.