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it is too sure a bait. Absolute certainty in 

 the pursuit of game destroys the keenness of 

 enjoyment, when success depends, in no way, 

 upon chance. Minnow-fishing may be com- 

 pared to playing at whist with the four 

 honours always in your hand. It has, how- 

 ever, several advantages over fly-fishing. It 

 depends little on the state of the weather, and 

 can be pursued with equal success on cloudy 

 or bright days, when there is wind or when 

 there is none. It matters little from what 

 point of the compass the wind blows ; it may 

 blow on your right hand or your left, from 

 your back, or in your teeth, it cannot prevent 

 you from throwing your minnow how and 

 where you please. Minnow-fishing requires 

 not that peculiar state of the water so requi- 

 site for fly-fishing ; the water may be dis- 

 coloured, or it may be as clear as crystal, still 

 the minnow will be found deadly in either 

 condition it may be curled into rough 

 waves by the wind, or it may be smooth 

 and unruffled as a mirror, the minnow-fisher 

 regards it not. Neither does he much heed the 

 obstruction of trees, roots, or rocks ; his 

 tackle is strong, and there is very little fear, 

 unless he be very clumsy indeed, that he should 

 lose it. He is not troubled about playing a 

 fish ; with his long and powerful rod and strong 



