FISHES. 45 



sometimes these are united into an implement of 

 ingenious construction. A minute fish is the 

 common bait, which is affixed to the hooks in a 

 living state, and in such a manner as not to do 

 it vital injury ; but well-formed imitations, made 

 of metal, or cut-glass, are substituted with success 

 by those who have scruples about impaling the 

 little minnow or dace. The bait, whether living 

 or artificial, is sometimes affixed to the line by a 

 swivel, and a bend being given to the tail, it is 

 made to revolve rapidly on its long axis when 

 drawn through the water. This spinning motion 

 is very attractive to fish of prey, which eagerly 

 pursue the dazzling object that seems to flee from 

 them. Large Perch, Pike, and Trout, are taken 

 by spinning. It is much used on the Continent 

 by English travellers, as well as in the United 

 States, and in Canada. All the large Thames 

 Trout are taken with spinning-tackle. 



But the perfection of angling is fly-fishing, 

 which is performed at the surface of the water, 

 the baits being in general artificial imitations of 

 the various flies which flit about the surface, and 

 attract the fish to leap up at them. The greatest 

 skill is put in requisition to throw the bait so 

 that it shall fall on the surface with the light 

 elastic touch of the natural fly alighting, and 

 shall imitate its fitful motions so perfectly as to 

 deceive the practised eye of the wary and ex- 

 perienced Salmon or Trout beneath. " Other 

 sports," says a master in the art, "iiiay be more 

 exciting than artificial fly-fishing, but there is not 

 one requiring more skill, or calling into exercise 

 more intelligence and adroitness of mind and 

 body. A quick eye, a ready and delicate hand, 



