42 Spinning for Maimer. Chapt. v. 



bait and a well spun minnow and compare them. I will back 

 the spun one. The live bait has, perhaps, a great hook all uncon- 

 cealed and too apparently sticking out of its lip ; or if baited in 

 the side, it is soon lying somewhat unnaturally on its side ; or it 

 has managed in its lively gyrations to make a tangle of its line, 

 and encircle itself therein ; or it is more dead than alive, and 

 looking somewhat suspicious; or may be it is off altogether, and 

 the angler is in happy ignorance of the fact, and in blissful expec- 

 tancy of a momentary run at a bare hook. 



My sentiments then are that, if the angler will be at the pains 

 to spin delicately, will take the trouble to conceal himself 

 thoroughly, and will bait his fish neatly with the hooks well con- 

 cealed, he will in clear water kill more by spinning a dead fish 

 than by using a live bait. 



In coloured water the objections to prominent hooks may not 

 be so pertinent, but of that hereafter. < »nly here be it remem- 

 bered that, in live bait fishing, the hooks must of necessity be 

 obvious for they cannot be embedded in the flesh as much as in a 

 dead fish. 



1 have killed Mabseer with a spoon, with a phantom minnow, 

 and other imitation fish of sorts, and with a dead fish and there is 

 something to be said for each of them, something that will com- 

 mend itself differently to different anglers in proportion as they 

 like taking trouble or not. 



The spoon bait is, of course, only an imitation of a fish, and 

 about the rudest imitation we are in the habit of using. Still it 

 is by no means to be contemned, and does a great deal more 

 business than would be supposed, one side being copper or gilt, and 

 the other, the inside, being silvered, it Hashes as it revolves, and 

 is seen a long way off in consequence. But if too closely in- 

 spected the rudeness <>f the imitation is bo apl to be discovered, 

 that it is seldom used in England except in coloured water; but 

 as it is of no use fishing for Mahseer in any thing but clear water, 

 the spoon is at a further discount in India. Stall it does very good 

 service if used judiciously. It stands to reason that in water 

 clear as crystal its use should be confined to the runs and eddies ; 

 for in the quieter waters you could not get it to revolve rapidly 

 enough for deceit, without pulling it faster through the water than 

 is advisable. In a good strong run you may even keep it stationary, 



