170 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



wherever a heavy sinker or bait is required to be cast from 

 a tree-running, multiplying reel. 



Reels. — Only the multiplying reel should be used in min- 

 now-casting, and it should be the best that can be purchased 

 for satisfactory work. There are now at least half a dozen 

 different styles of reels made for this special fishing, which 

 are marvels of skill, workmanship, and ingenuity. The price 

 rans from ten to twenty dollars, and the angler cannot go 

 far wrong whichever he may choose, but he should always 

 remember that the best is the cheapest. 



Lines. — The braided raw silk line is best, and the braided 

 linen line next. Twisted lines cannot be used for casting the 

 minnow owing to their kinking. For stream and ordinary 

 lake-fishing, the "H" line, or, as it is styled by some manu- 

 facturers, the "Henshall" line, is the best size to use. It is 

 smaller and more closely braided than the old "G" line, 

 although as strong. Very long casts can be made with it, 

 and its introduction, a few years ago, was indeed a boon for 

 bait-fishers. 



For Lake Erie fishing, where very heavy sinkers are used, 

 the "G," or, still better, the"F" line is more suitable. Fly- 

 lines of enameled or water-proofed silk should never be used 

 in bait-fishing where long casts are made, owing to their stiff- 

 ness and large caliber. 



Hooks. — The Sproat hook stands at the head of its class, 

 with the O'Shaughnessy a good second. Most anglers 

 employ hooks too large for Black-Bass fishing, from 2-0 to 

 5.0 — but smaller hooks, sizes i and 2, are much to be pre- 

 ferred; they are amply strong enough, and the smaller size of 

 the wire is not so apt to kill or injure the minnow. The fact 

 of the small hooks of the artificial fiics so frecjuently taking 

 and holding the Bass, should convince even the Lake Frie 

 anglers that they are large enough for bait-hooks as well. 



Many anglers, either through prejudice, ignorance or habit, 

 still use the cheap Kirby bend (that is, side or crooked bend) 



