SALMON FISHING 131 



and the rod that does for the one will serve for all other baits. 

 Swivels should be dispensed with, but the line is weighted 

 according to the strength and depth of the stream to be fished ; 

 and by this also the size of the prawn is determined. 



There are various prawn tackles in use, but we prefer two 

 triangles close together, one of which lies under the head of 

 the prawn and the other a little way lower down. The hooks 

 should be painted red, which is easily done by making a satu- 

 rated solution of scarlet sealing-wax, dissolved in spirits of wine. 

 Fine orange silk should be used to secure the prawn to the 

 tackle, which if well put on and not seized will last all day, 

 and even the next one too. The cast is made rather more 

 down stream than if using a minnow ; the point of the rod 

 should be lowered to the water, and no motion given to the 

 bait till it comes to the end of the swing ; but then, before 

 drawing it in, the rod should slowly rise and fall a few times, 

 for it is often at this moment that a fish will hook. 



This is a good low river bait in summer, and will kill in 

 the brightest sunshine or clearest water ; but at times we 

 have also done well with it in heavy dirty water. 



In baiting the prawn tackle, that part of the end of the 

 needle to which the gut loop is tied should be tightly lashed 

 to the gut of the hooks, and if this is done well the bait will 

 never slip up the needle. 



In still, deep pools, where there is hardly any current and 

 the bottom is smooth, the common boiled shrimp is often most 

 deadly if used on a small worm hook, passed in at the throat 

 and brought out at the bend of the tail, the curl of which will 

 cover the barb. A good-sized bullet should be placed about 

 two feet above the shrimp, and all that need be done is to 

 drop it in the pool and wait events. If nothing happens in 

 a few minutes, lift it up and pop it in again ten yards lower 

 down ; in summer and in suitable pools, with plenty of fish, it 

 is usually a certain if not very skilful way of getting a few. 

 On the Usk in July and August it was found to be so deadly 



