LIVE BAIT THE MINNOW 113 



HOW TO HOOK THE MINNOW 



In baiting the hook with the minnow, pass the 

 hook through the lower lip and out the nostril, or 

 if the minnow is of a large size, run the hook 

 through both lips. For still fishing, where the 

 water is quiet, hook the minnow, if small, through 

 the back, above the backbone and just behind the 

 dorsal fin. Chubs and suckers can be hooked 

 through both lips which are very strong on these 

 species. 



With proper care minnows can be kept in good 

 shape for an indefinite period. In camp a perma- 

 nent minnow box should be sunk in the water along 

 the shore of the stream or lake, and the bottom of 

 the box filled with gravel and stones. Wire screen 

 over both ends gives a steady change of water. Al- 

 ways dip the minnows into the minnow bucket with 

 a small dip net and don't handle them; leave that 

 until you place them on the hook. It is best to use 

 a large size minnow bucket and if there is to be 

 much of a carry, put a bunch of water weeds in the 

 pail. This saves them from injury caused by rough 

 travel. In carrying minnows any distance don't 

 crowd 'em; fifty to a five-gallon pail is plenty. A 

 pinch of salt added to the water once or twice dur- 

 ing the day's fishing gives 'em life. Change the 

 water often and don't wait until the minnows come 

 to the top, as that's about the time they are ready 



