differ from the "Gadabouts" in that they reach to the hips, and are
strapped securely about the thighs. These can be made at home, but it
requires much practice to become expert.




CHAPTER V

LET'S GO A-FISHING--SOMETHING ABOUT BAIT


Do not despise the earth worm. Scientists tell us that without this
creature's work in preparing the soil, but little of the earth's
surface would be fit for cultivation. To its voluntary efforts we owe
our supplies of vegetable food, but not satisfied with this, we
conscript him that he may help us to catch fish.

Some boys, and men too, make hard work of getting worm bait, but in
this, as in everything else, it all depends on how one goes about it.

If you are going a-fishing in the morning, secure your bait to-night.
Worms are nocturnal, and they come out of their holes at night,
provided it is not too dry on top. The ideal time for scooping them in
is about dusk, after a long warm rain. Get a lantern and with it carry
your bait can half filled with wet moss or soft moist earth. You will
find, if the conditions are right, swarms of worms along the edges of
beaten paths, or in the short grass alongside. Usually the worm has
one end of its body in a hole, and as it is very alert, you must catch
it before it has time to think, perhaps I should say, to act. For this