42 MINNOWS AND WATER-WITCHES. 



dark green on the other, with a tail of very thin 

 horn. 



When used as a fly, it is advisable to attach 

 to the line a very fine swivel, as the spinning 

 motion would otherwise soon injure light fly 

 tackle. 



The Rod for the usual kind of Minnow 

 fishing should, in my opinion, be less pliable 

 than that commonly used ; — the bait being 

 large, a pliant rod cannot so easily fix the 

 hooks in the fish's mouth. The more the rod 

 yields, the less likely are you to secure the fish. 

 Wherever it is practicable, too, you should 

 throw up stream ; for, as a fish always lies 

 with his head opposing the current, he has to 

 turn round to his prey so suddenly, that he 

 has seized the bait before an opportunity has 

 been aflbrded him of seeing i/ou. I have re- 

 marked also, that the Minnow is invariably 

 pursued, and taken more eagerly, when drawn 

 with, rather than against, the stream : the fish is, 

 therefore, more liable to be hooked, than when 

 he attacks his food with greater deliberation. 



