124 FISHERMAN'S LURES 



in administering a very small dose of brandy in 

 order to make the bait more lively in the water, 

 therefore, enticing the game-fish in addition to 

 forgetting his own woes. Every angler is aware 

 that dead frogs, minnows, and other baits are 

 less effective than lively ones. Frogs, after the 

 first few casts, have a tendency, even when alive, 

 to float, belly up. This indecent habit is neither 

 pleasing to the angler nor agreeable to the fish, 

 and I find the aforesaid brandy treatment to be 

 a complete cure for that and other ills. 



My first experiment was made on a six-inch chub 

 caught on the fly when trout fishing. Providing 

 myself with a small bottle, holding but two table- 

 spoonfuls of the liquid, in order that I could easily 

 pour single drops, I unhooked the fish, gave it 

 two full drops, then placed it back in the water. 

 The effect on its movements was magical. Swim- 

 ming about at such a lively rate, going round 

 and round with amazing rapidity, I felt at once 

 convinced that the idea was a complete success. 

 Such being the case with fish bait, why not on 

 a young frog.'* The result would be even more 

 gratifying. So I set to work, caught a frog, gave 

 him a dose that started him kicking before even 

 being placed in the water. After hooking it and 



