MISCELLANEOUS IMPLEMENTS. 333 



will answer here by using but one joint of the handle. 

 There should be a blunt hook, or ring, at the end of the 

 handle for attaching to the creel-strap, so as to leave both 

 hands free for casting, and playing the fish. 



Minnow-Seines and Nets. 



For catching minnows for bait-fishing, the most expe- 

 ditious way is to use a linen or cotton minnows-seine, from 

 three to five feet wide, and from five to fifteen feet long. 

 These seines can be purchased mounted or unmounted. 

 The mountings consist of cork and lead-lines, with their 

 floats and sinkers, and two handles or brails. The mesh 

 should be quite fine. 



A very simple and convenient contrivance for the same 

 purpose — and much similar to one used by myself — is thus 

 described by a gentleman of Baltimore, Maryland, in 

 " Forest and Stream : " 



As I hear so many fishermen complaining that they can not get 

 a net suitable to catch minnows, that is easily carried, I thought it 

 might be of service to the fishing fraternity in general if I were to 

 describe a net of my own invention that is easily carried in the 

 pocket, can be adjusted in a minute, and has never failed to pro- 

 vide me with plenty of minnows. I take a bung or round block of 

 wood of two and one-half to three inches in diameter, and bore four 

 holes opposite to each other in the edge of it. I then insert a piece 

 of umbrella-rib, about twelve to fourteen inches long, in each hole. 

 The holes mast be made deep and small enough for the wire to fit 

 tight. The paragon wire is the best. I leave the end of the rib 

 that has the little eye in it outside. I then lay the bung and wires 

 on a square piece of mosquito-netting, and stretch it and sew it 

 firmly at the four corners to the eyes in the ribs. In the center of 

 the bung I put a screw-eye, and in the center of the mosquito-net 

 sew a piece of string, leaving ends about eight inches long. Any 



