HOW TO MAKE NATURE LURES 165 



or size required. Raffia grass in various colors may 

 be purchased from large seedsmen; for special 

 colors required, I buy the natural cream-colored 

 grass and dye it to suit. 



For the shining gold and silver metal-sheets I 

 have had years of difficult work to get just the 

 right thing. For the first of my minnows, the wood 

 was covered with gold and silver leaf, which proved 

 a failure. Then, in succession, I tried rolled ster- 

 ling silver, tinfoil, sheet aluminum. After infinite 

 trouble at last I succeeded in the present material 

 used, and find it to be the perfect article for the 

 purpose, that will keep its lustre and not rust in 

 fresh or salt water. 



This metal being my own invention, I cannot for 

 obvious reasons at present divulge the method of 

 manufacture. I can get a small quantity for those 

 who require it. The different grades of wire I use 

 are soft and pliable — what used to be called Ger- 

 man silver, to be procured from hardware stores 

 or wire dealers. The remaining materials can be 

 had at the various dry goods houses. Hackle and 

 other feathers must be hunted for, in all directions, 

 at poultrymen, feather dealers, and millinery 

 shops. 



If the amateur bait-maker will look at the page of 



