Bloodworm and joker are much more commonly used in mainland Europe. Natural but controversial?ĭespite bloodworm being the most natural of all fishing baits, it has attracted much controversy especially in times gone by, but still the spirited debate about the pros and cons of its use rages on. In a recent article, Billy made the interesting and valid point that UK waters containing joker in significant numbers were way too polluted to have ever contained fish life. It was here that a young Billy Makin first saw the men of Wigan plying their trade as joker collectors. In times gone by, many rivers in urban areas were full of joker, the River Douglas in the Wigan area being a prime example. Jokers are found in polluted streams, such as those below sewage outfalls where oxygen levels are depleted. You do need good eyesight to put a single joker on a size 24 or 26 fine wire hook. It may surprise you to learn that two or three jokers, or even a single specimen, may also be used as a hook bait. The larvae of a much smaller species of midge, jokers are primarily used as loose feed in combination with bloodworm as hook baits. Bloodworm thrives in low oxygen conditions. They are probably the most prolific source of natural food for bottom-feeding fish, such as gudgeon, bream, carp and tench. There are many different species of bloodworm, but those associated with angling live in the silty bottom of most waterbodies.

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