116 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



A trolling rod, as we have already mentioned should be 

 pretty long and stiff, with a line a shade stronger than 

 that used for the artificial fly. The best minnows for the 

 purpose are those of a moderate size, their sides aiid 

 bellies being of a pearly whiteness. If the angler has con- 

 veniences, they are all the better for being kept a few 

 days in clear sweet soft water; this process renders them 

 firmer and brighter. 



There are numerous modes of baiting with the minnow ; 

 but they all resemble each other so nearly, that a minute 

 description of each is quite unnecessary. Some trollers 

 employ six or seven hooks; and others only two or three. 

 This is, in a great measure, a matter of taste and fancy. 

 As a general rule, however, it may safely be determined, 

 that, in those rivers, particularly in France, which run 

 deep with a swift current, have a muddy weedy bad bot- 

 tom, and whose sides are covered with brush- wood, that 

 tackle is the best which is the strongest and mounts the 

 greatest number of hooks. It is only by jerking and 

 holding the fish tight by the head, that it is possible to 

 catch it ; for if you allow him to run in such situations, 

 he will soon smash your tackle all to shivers. But in fine 

 clear streams with gravelly or pebbly bottoms, fewer hooks 

 will answer better ; inasmuch as deception is more effectually 

 preserved. 



We shall make no apology for inserting two quotations 

 on the art of trolling for trout; the one from good " old 

 Izaak Walton," the other from "Stephen Oliver, the 

 younger," who seems to have paid great attention to this 

 branch of the art. Their united experience would seem 

 to have exhausted the subject. 



Walton says; " And then you are to know, that your 

 minnow must be so put on your hook, that it must turn 



