BAIT-FISHING. 433 



constant spin of the bait as shall conceal the hooks from 

 the fish to be caught. The principal point, therefore, ia 

 to fix the bait on the hooks so as to spin well, and to last 

 in this state a long time ; and thus to avoid as much as 

 possible the renewing of the bait, by which time is lost, 

 and generally just at the most valuable period of the day. 

 No bait comes so near perfection in these several points as 

 the parr-tail, and it will, I am persuaded, as far as a limited 

 trial will allow of an opinion, be found to be better 

 suited than any other to spinning for trout, in all streams 

 where the current is strong. I have already remarked 

 that shiners, or other fish of the same size, in the absence 

 of the parr, will be large enough for this purpose. When 

 the bait is properly applied, according to the mode recom- 

 mended at page 391, the line should be cast as gently as pos- 

 sible by means of the trolling-rod, taking care not to injure 

 the texture of the fish-bait by jerking it violently, and 

 therefore avoiding too long a line and too forcible a throw. 

 Underhand casting does less damage than when the bait 

 is thrown overhand, and by its adoption the splash in its 

 fall into the water is also much less considerable. In 

 working the bait, every thing depends upon the strength of 

 the stream ; but the rule always is to make the minnow 

 spin as fast as possible without injury to its texture. 

 Thus, when it is drawn against the stream, it may be 

 steadily brought towards the hand and made to revolve 

 chiefly by the action of the current. If, however, it is 

 drawn down stream, a series of jerks must be given, or it 

 will not spin sufficiently fast ; and yet, if the pull is main- 

 tained so as to keep up the spinning at the same rate 

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