272 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



BAIT-FISHING FOE TROUT. 



The manner of angling for Trout with bait, depends much 

 on the kind of water one fishes, or the bait used. In a rapid 

 stream, a light, pliant cane rod, with a tip somewhat stiff, and 

 without a reel, is to be preferred ; a fine line of silk and hair, 

 with a gut bottom of three feet ; a weak-trout hook of No. 25 

 or 26 is better than the short-shanked Kirby; split shot 

 should be used for sinkers, one or more, as the current may 

 require. 



With such tackle and in water as above mentioned, let 

 me describe the manner of baiting the hook. Take a 

 whole worm — not mutilated — of medium size, and enter 

 the point of the hook about midway or rather nearer the 

 tail, and passing it along bring it out a half inch or so 

 from the head ; the tail will then move as well as the head, 

 showing signs of life ; and when it loses its vitality, it is 

 still attractive when drawn against the current. Whether 

 wading or from the bank, cast in at the head of the rift, 

 and let the bait drift along near the bottom, drawing it 

 back occasionally to make it show plainly. When a minnow 

 is used for bait in still water, the hook should be passed 

 through its back ; if in rapid water, through the upper and 

 lower lips ; or it should be bridled as described in Rock- 

 fishing. 



After fishing the main current, try the sides of the rift. 

 On feeling a bite, draw away a little, coaxing the fish to lay 

 hold more vigorously ; by his resistance and pulling hard 

 you can ascertain wbeu he is securely hooked ; then draw 



