# VI: The Prize-Winner explained — Jibby Jones

> Chapter companion for Jibby Jones by Ellis Parker Butler.

## What happens

Jibby Jones claims he will win the fishing prize, causing laughter among the boys. He performs odd behaviors like sniffing the air, grass, water, and fish scales, leading them to believe he is training his nose to smell fish underwater. On contest day, Jibby wins decisively, catching the most fish, the biggest fish, and the heaviest total weight. Afterward, he reveals his secret: he read Izaak Walton's book and learned to 'scour' worms by keeping them in wet moss, making them more attractive to fish. He also got advice from Orpheus Cadwallader about the best fishing spots.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cleverness vs. Brawn

Jibby uses knowledge from a book and advice from a local expert to outfish the naturally talented Wampus, demonstrating that cleverness and preparation can overcome raw skill.

### Observation and Knowledge

Jibby's success comes from careful observation (of bees, fish behavior) and applying knowledge from Izaak Walton's book, highlighting the value of learning and attention to detail.

## Character check-ins

### Jibby Jones

Claims he will win the fishing prize, performs odd sniffing behaviors, and ultimately wins the contest by using knowledge from Izaak Walton's book and advice from Orpheus Cadwallader.

### Wampus Smale

The natural-born fisher who is initially expected to win; becomes convinced Jibby can smell fish and is disgusted when Jibby wins.

### Tad Willing

Teases Jibby about exercising his nose.

### George Washington

Narrator who talks to Uncle Oscar about Jibby's nose and later learns the truth about Jibby's methods.

### Oscar Smale

Wampus's uncle who brings the prize rod and reel, explains how Jibby 'smelled' the pilot bee, and officiates the contest.

## Key lines

> I’ll tell you, George, I have hopes. I don’t say I’ll win, but I’m trying.

Jibby admits he is optimistic about winning but stops short of declaring victory.

_Jibby's cautious confidence before the contest._

> About a week ago, I happened to stick my old nose-jib in a book, and that was when I smelled out these fish.

Jibby reveals that his success came from reading a book, not from actually smelling fish.

_Jibby's clever play on words to explain his method._

> Walton tells how, in his book. You dig your worms ahead of time, and put them in wet moss, in a box, and let them be there.

Jibby explains the technique of scouring worms by keeping them in damp moss to clean and invigorate them.

_The key technique Jibby used to gain an advantage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters/vi-the-prize-winner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jibby_jones_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jibby_jones_se/chapters