TRIBULATIONS OF LIVE-BAIT ANGLERS 125 



putting it in the water, it was the most joyful 

 active frog I ever saw, swimming about in all 

 directions in the most animated manner. Had 

 there been bass or pike within a radius of fifty 

 feet, it would have been devoured in no time. Of 

 course, I was careful to consider that an overdose 

 would be fatal; that the smaller the frog or min- 

 now, the less be the necessary dose. 



I am convinced that this plan of giving a stimu- 

 lant to live bait not only induces the lively action 

 and quick movement so valuable to the angler 

 but it also helps to keep them alive much longer, 

 if the fish do not at once take them. I also assume 

 that whatever pain the frog has to endure, such 

 a dose would be certain to lessen. Since this chap- 

 ter appeared in magazine form, the country has 

 gone bone-dry; so I advise those plutocrats who 

 prudently hoarded a good supply to save a stock 

 for this beneficent purpose. 



After reading the foregoing, the childlike and 

 trusting amateur will, I hope, perceive that a 

 wise selection of the best lures or self-made ones, 

 however crude, should be part of every fisher- 

 man's kit; that is, if he wants to catch fish and 

 the time at his disposal is short; otherwise, for the 

 greater part of the vacation he will be everlast- 



