1 68 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. i 



as represented. Having adjusted the bait neatly with the 

 fingers, turn the loose skin up again, and with strong waxed 

 silk or fine twine tie it tightly round above the shot ; then 

 turn it down again, and stitch the edges down with a 

 needle and strong waxed silk or holland thread. The bait 

 is then complete. It will be found to improve the shape 

 of the head if one-fourth of an inch or so of the spine is 

 cut out with a penknife at the point where the shot is to 

 rest. The Eel-skin with which somewhat more than 

 half the body of the bait is thus covered, is of a light 

 bluish tint, which seems to be particularly attractive t< 

 Salmon. It is also, of course, exceedingly tough, and 

 increases the durability of the bait. The Eel used for 

 this bait is the better for being kept two or three weeks or 

 even longer in plenty of dry coarse salt, which renders 

 the skin both tougher and bluer, but it will do very well 

 fresh. If the Eel is salted it will be found best to soak 

 it in water for some hours before baiting, to make it 

 plumper and more filled out. As the process of baiting 

 an Eel-tail requires some little nicety, I recommend thei 

 angler to bait his tackle before starting for the water-side.: 

 Two baits, or three at the outside, will generally be found 

 more than enough for a day's fishing, barring of coursei 

 losses by breakages. 



The best mode of spinning for Salmon is almost iden- 

 tical with that pursued in spinning for Pike, which 

 latter is fully described in the chapter devoted to that 

 subject. Not only in rivers but in lakes also, both Trout 



