7 6 



from the minnow, and fly round with it. To keep the 

 artificial minnow well under water it should be of a proper 

 weight. It cannot be too heavy, according to the size of 

 it ; but the spinning is the grand secret. I prefer throwing 

 up stream, and drawing the bait down stream. By no 

 means make your spins by jerks. Even in a rapid mill 

 stream the quicker it is drawn the more deadly it proves ; 

 and if so situated that ,you cannot draw it down stream, 

 work it from the opposite bank, edging your side well and 

 quickly. If used as directed, and a fish gets a sight of 

 it, I will bet ten to one that he comes like a flash of 

 lightening. Never be in a hurry to land your fish, but 

 rather slack your line. I never strike, but give and take 

 according to circumstances, and wait my opportunity to 

 land the fish. By no means attempt to take the hooks 

 out of his mouth till you have given him the " priest," as 

 they are apt to get in the fingers while he is struggling. 

 The hooks should be cut out of his mouth with the pocket 

 scissors, not pulled out, and you may then arrange them 

 for another fish. Avoid having too much line out, and on 

 no account show even your shadow on the water, or your 

 basket will be light at night. I prefer fishing with the 

 minnow up stream. If the river is very weedy I work it 

 up stream, in the channel ; and when I meet with a large 

 hole, free from weeds, I use my minnow in a sink and 

 draw mode. 



I prefer the swivels about three lengths of gut from 

 the head of the bait. In my early practice I thought I 

 could not get them too near, and have, even at much 

 trouble, placed them in the mouth of the bait; but 



