The Chub is a very timorous fish, utterly worthless as food except
during the winter months. He frequents deep water, and loves shady
places, where he can shelter under the roots of trees, &c. The Chub
spawns in May and June. He is a leather-mouthed fish, so that once
hooked you are sure of him; he struggles fiercely for a moment, then
yields without further effort, and allows himself to be dragged
unresistingly to land. He will take the same flies as the Trout, also
all kinds of gentles, maggots and worms, especially small red worms; is
fond of the humble Bee, Salmon Roe, and Creeper; will take a variety of
pastes, as old white bread moistened with a little linseed oil and made
into small balls; old Cheshire cheese mixed with a little tumeric, and
bullock or sheep's brains, also bullock's blood mixed with wheaten
flour, and worked up to a proper consistency, are all good baits for
Chub in the winter months. A Cockchafer with his wings cut off is also
a very good bait for large Chub. When rivers are frozen, you may catch
Chub by breaking a hole in the ice, the fish will come to the aperture
for air, and, perceiving the bait, take it--your line need not extend
to the depth of more than a yard. Observe that your paste balls are of
consistency sufficient to adhere firmly to your hook, which should not
be larger than a small May-fly hook, or two No. 3 fly hooks tied firmly
together are much better.