AND HOW TO USE IT. 55 



proportionate with the kind of fish intended 

 to be spun for ; and more particularly in accord- 

 ance with the water. If clear and shallow, the 

 minnow tackle must be of fine gut and small 

 hooks. If deep and murky, and the fish heavy, 

 strong gimp tackle will be required. 



The minnow-trace should be about three 

 yards in length, with two or three swivels. 



The most usual kind of minnow-tackle is 

 made as follows : A piece of brass-wire about 

 three inches in length, with a loop or eye at one 

 end, and a sharp flattened point at the other, is 

 encased or drawn through an elongated bit of 

 lead, cast specially for the purpose. This is 

 thrust in at the mouth of the minnow, spear- 

 end first, and pushed through the body, the 

 lead lying inside the belly of the bait : and the 

 wire in the tail, being then slightly bent on one 

 side, the tail of the fish remains firm in that 

 position, which materially assists in turning the 

 bait rapidly, and making it spin when drawn 

 through the water. 



The process of thrusting the leaded wire 

 through the minnow must be carefully performed 

 without rubbing off the glittering scales of the 

 little fish ; the angler should then take his trace 



