MINNOW FISHING 235 



Shot should be put on the casting line about a foot 

 and a half from the bait — fewer or more according 

 to the strength of the stream. 



What is called the parr's tail is a pretty liberal 

 allowance of the said little fish, consisting of a 

 diagonal cut from the shoulder to the anal fin ; so 

 that in fact you have all the firm part of the fish, 

 discarding the head and the stomach. In full 

 water I think this bait is preferable to the minnow ; 

 and it has the advantage of a much firmer hold of the 

 hook, not breaking like the soft parts of the minnow. 



Clean salmon will take this bait whenever the 

 river is in order for the fly, or perhaps a little before 

 it is so, even when the water is slightly discoloured, 

 or, as the fishermen call it, drumly. But foul fish, 

 including kelts, never take it well in the upper 

 parts of the Tweed, unless the water is clear, 

 though they will take it in a drumly water in the 

 Tay ; nor can any sport be expected with it in very 

 warm weather. 



The best state of the water, and the most con- 

 venient time, is between the fly and bait fishing ; 

 that is, when it is rather too low for the one, but 

 not low enough for the other. The best weather 

 is a fresh day, with wind to act upon the surface of 

 the deep pools. In summer the proper hour is 

 early in the morning. After a night's burning, 

 salmon take the minnow, small parr, or parr's tail, 

 particularly well in the streams. 



The best way of casting the minnow is precisely 

 that which I have indicated in my instructions for 

 fishing with the worm. 



As in a deer forest, however extensive, every 



