320 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



where the minnows are quite small, they may be, for still 

 fishing, but under no other circumstances, hooked just 

 back of the dorsal fin, and just above the backbone. But 

 in hooking a minnow in this way, the angler should bear 

 in mind the injunction of Father Izaak, in reference to 

 hooking the live frog: use him as though you loved him. 

 Chubs and suckers should always be hooked through the 

 lips, which are comparatively tough. 



An excellent method for affixing the minnow to the 

 hook, in still-fishing — for it will not answer at all for 

 casting — and one that will well pay the angler for the extra 

 time and trouble involved, is as follows: 



"Take a piece of cotton thread about a foot long, tie the 

 middle of it tight under the barb of the hook ; now take 

 the minnow in the left hand, lay the hook on its side, the 

 barb up by the shoulder of the bait, with the shaft along 

 the belly; now pass the thread over the shoulder and 

 around undei" the fish, and tie the shaft of the hook, then 

 pass the tliread along the shaft until under and behind the 

 back fin, then tie tightly around the shaft of the hook, then 

 pass the thread on each side of the fish up to the back, just 

 behind the back fin, and tie with a bow knot. This fiistens 

 the bait securely without hurting it, and you will have as 

 lively a bait as ever used for still-fishing." 



The angler can not be too careful of his minnows. The 

 water in the bucket should be frequently changed, without 

 waiting for them to appear at the surface to breathe — the 

 usually accepted indication to change the water — for their 

 vitality and strength are already impaired Avhen this takes 

 place, and many of them can not be revived afterwards. 

 When available, esj)ecially in very hot weather, a piece of 

 ice should be placed on the top of the minnow pail, and 



