CATCHING THE SMELT 



THE old notion that smelting is best 

 done when the frosty air of the fall 

 and winter months prevails, is, in my 

 opinion, a wrong one. True, at this 

 time, these little fish bite well and sharply, but 

 their taking is always a question of the proper 

 bait and a certain amount of skill. 



In cold weather, short bamboo rods are used, 

 with only a small amount of line, and a spreader 

 on which are fastened two hooks. Shrimp, angle 

 and sea worms are the best baits. If the fish are 

 excited into a biting mood, small flies are taken 

 readily. A river where the effect of tide is 

 marked is a favorite ground. The hour should 

 be at the first of the flood or the last of the 

 ebb. 



In July and August, very early in the morning 

 is the right time for smelting. Now the fish are 

 hungry and take the baits mentioned quite fairly, 

 although not greedily, so that it is better to use a 

 long rod. The small shrimps appear to be very 

 taking. No sinker is required, as the spreader 

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