FISHINa THE MINNOW FOR SALMON. 201 



Apart from these considerations many catches are 

 absolutely inaccessible to the fly on account of over- 

 hanging and surrounding trees &c., which even prohibit 

 the switch or Spey cast^ the result being that a preju- 

 dice against the use of the minnow will necessitate the 

 catch remaining unfished. 



We argue that it is the business of the angler to 

 command every catch on his side of the water by some 

 or other fair means, and if he cannot do so, he is no 

 fisherman. 



To accomplish this end he will find the spinning rod 

 of invaluable assistance, and derive vast satisfaction 

 from the skilful use thereof. 



A stiff 12 ft. to 14 ft. rod fitted with steel snake- 

 rings is best for the purpose, as while enabling any cast 

 in reason to be made it is handy amongst foliage. 



The line should be as fine as the weight of the game 

 will allow, and may be of dressed or undressed silk, to 

 which is attached a gut cast of four to six feet in 

 length, furnished with the former number of swivels. 



It is of primary importance in spinning to prevent 

 any kinking of the line, so plenty of swivels should be 

 employed, as although on principle one should be suffi- 

 cient, in practice it is not so, as being cheap productions 

 they are not perfect and may become clogged by dirt 

 or rust. 



There are many systems of feeding the rod with line, 

 viz., by coiling on the bank or in a basket attached to 

 the angler, winding across from thumb to little finger. 



