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upon dibbing. The writer seems to have been a sort of poaching angler, taking an especial delight in using the most killing baits, and caring very little whether the method he adopts or recommends be sportsman-like or not. He would, no doubt, estimate sport by the number or weight of fish killed, and not by the difficulty experienced in killing them. We will take him, however, as a guide to a certain extent. He is a practical man; but, like the generality of local anglers, who have had no opportunity of measuring themselves with ubiquitous ones, he is full of conceit, and thinks himself an angling admirable Crichton. He says, "I generally begin fishing in the shade or under bushes, in May, and continue it all the three following months, which we call the four hot months. Most anglers in those months fish only in the mornings and evenings, unless the sky is cloudy, and there is a brisk wind on the pools; for there one may have very good sport, and kill large fish. In these months, when there is no wind, and the sun is shining, from about ten o'clock in the morning, till four or five in the afternoon, is the best time for shade fishing." The author then describes the fittest rod; but on this point he is not so good a judge as Mr. Blaine, who rightly says, "A long and firm rod of twelve, thirteen, or fourteen feet, with a very stiff top (a light, long, minnow-spinning rod will be a good substitute), is

140 A WINCH NECESSARY IN DIBBING.

necessary for dibbing or daping; the length to be suited to the situation; if it be a very close and confined one, eleven or twelve feet are sufficient, but we rather recommend that the rod be of the general length, and that the reel, instead of being attached to the butt, be fastened on the second joint, when, by taking off the butt-end, the rod can be shortened as occasion suits. A reel is not thought requisite by the North Country Angler; but it is evident that in no fishing is it more wanted than in this, where it is required to lengthen and shorten the line according to circumstances; as, for instance, where, from a length of seven or eight yards, it must be reduced to one, or even less, and sometimes even to be wound up altogether, that it may be insinuated through trees and bushes; and in such cases how can it be so well done as by a reel ?"

The above question the Northern Angler answers thus: -"Your line should not be above a yard long; and, where there is some difficulty in getting your rod-top through the bushes, not above half a yard, which, when baited, you may wrap loosely seven or eight times about the rodtop; and when you have thrust it beyond the bush, turn your rod round as many times, and let your bait drop into the water. There is a great deal of caution necessary in managing your rod and line. Some pools are shaded only here

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and there with a bush or two; in such places you may fish with a line a yard or more long; but you must be sure to make your approach to such open places cautiously, for the great fish lie very near the top of the water watching the fall of flies or other insects from the bushes where they are bred or harboured; and though you do not see them, yet they will see you at your first coming, and scud away into the pool, and not return perhaps in an hour's time. I have often been agreeably amused sitting behind a bush that has hung over the water two yards or more, and observing the trout taking their rounds and patrolling in order, according to their quality. Sometimes I have seen three or four private men coming up together under the shade, and presently an officer, or man of quality, twice as big, comes from his country seat, under a bank or great stone, and rushes among them as furiously as I once saw a young justice of the peace do to three poor anglers; and as I cannot approve of such proceedings, I have, with some extraordinary pleasure, revenged the weaker upon the stronger, by dropping in my bait half a yard before him. With what an air of authority and grandeur have I seen the qualified-what shall I call him?extend his jaws, and take in the delicious morsel, and then march slowly off in quest of more, till stopped by a smart stroke which I have given

142

DIBBING IN OPEN WATER.

him, though there is no occasion to do so in this way of fishing, for the great ones nearly always hook themselves."

All said by this authority generally refers to dibbing about and under bushes, and so far his advice is good. Do not follow him when you dib in open water. There use a winch and blow-line, and short foot-line, and with a slight wind you will be able to convey your bait to any spot you fancy. If the weather be too still for the use of the blow-line, try and cast your insect gently, as you would your artificial stretcher when you do not wish to make any-the slightest disturbance -in low, smooth, clear water.

never

I must quote a few lines of the North-countryman again. He judiciously recommends, " to let the fish get down his head, unless the angler is sure there are no roots near enough for the fish to retire amongst; but to keep him at the top of the water, where his fins and strength are of little service to him; and besides so thrust out the rod as to reach beyond the bush, and there work the fish till he is quite tired and lies still.” He remarks justly that, "Although the shade of trees and bushes are much longer and greater on the south side of the river than on the north, yet on this latter side I have always found the most and the largest trout. I suppose the sun being more intense and warm on the north side, with its

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southern aspect, may occasion more flies, erucas, and insects of various sorts to creep upon those bushes, and consequently the more fish will frequent them. Where the trees or bushes are very close, I advise the bush-angler to take a hedgingbill or hatchet, or in want of that his sporting knife, and cut off two or three branches here and there at proper places and distances, and so make little convenient openings, at which he may put in his rod and line; but this is to be done some time before you come to fish there. If you come to a woody place, where you have no such conveniences, and where, perhaps, there is a long pool, and no angling with the fly, or throwing the rod, there you may be sure of many and large fish. For that very reason I have chosen such places, though very troublesome, where I have been forced to creep under trees and bushes, dragging my rod after me, with the very top of it in my hand, to get near the water; and I have been well paid for all my trouble. Whilst you are getting in your rod, throw a brandling or grub, or what you fish with, into the place, which will make the fish take your bait the more boldly."

The grasshopper is a most valuable bait for dibbing for grayling and chub. The former fish will take an artificial grasshopper well, by sinking it in the water and drawing it up gently to the surface. The natural insect is the best, however,