io6 TROUT-FISHING IN BROOKS 



separately, in rows in common salt, a layer of 

 salt over each row and so on, the whole to be 

 enclosed in a suitable covered wooden box. After 

 a few days the minnows will present a dry, hard, 

 mummified appearance, but this goes off con- 

 siderably in the water, and so far from objecting, 

 trout are, if anything, partial to salt-preserved 

 minnows. If it is intended to try minnow bait 

 on any day, a few can be taken from the salt the 

 evening before, and let steep the night in cold 

 water, which will soften them and render baiting 

 more easy. Again, if minnows are to be caught 

 in any brook (with hook and worm), they can be 

 readily baited and used fresh on the spot. As to 

 the size, about 2\ in. long would be right for a 

 high or coloured water, but in a perfectly clear 

 stream at low level minnows should be very 

 small, certainly not over ij in. 



And first for spinning. Various tackles with 

 flights of hooks, leaded and otherwise, are on the 

 market, some with spinning flanges, which last I 

 should certainly not advise. The following is 

 simpler, and I am convinced it is more effective. 

 A tackle consisting of one large thin-wired hook 

 whose shank from top to beginning of bend equals 

 the length of the minnow from the point of its 

 head to its vent, with one small movable lip-hook 



