104 TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



time in the hot months for either fly or worm, are 

 often remunerative, and this can easily be ascer- 

 tained by a trial. 



The best conditions for fishing the minnow are : 

 (i) when a porter-coloured light freshet has 

 reached its height ; (2) when a brook still well- 

 tinted is clearing after a bigger freshet ; (3) a full, 

 clear water with an upstream breeze to ruffle the 

 surface ; and (4) in dead low water, when by 

 cautious work and a different procedure a 

 surprising basket may be made on lucky days. 



This branch of angling may come under two 

 heads, viz., with the natural minnow and with its 

 artificial imitation. 



THE NATURAL MINNOW 



I imagine that most fishermen will agree with 

 me that the real article easily ranks first, more 

 particularly in a low and clear water. Moreover, 

 it can be fished in ways barred to the artificial, and 

 worked in little spots often the harbourages of 

 hungry trout where spinning the last would be 

 impracticable. A stiffer rod than a fly-rod is 

 invariably recommended, partly because it seems 

 to meet the question of casting and fastening 

 better ; yet, as the brook-angler seldom goes out 

 to spin only, and may frequently change his 



