LIVE-BAIT FISHING. 21 1 



(3) that when on the hooks its natural position should be 

 nearly horizontal, and with the head pointing rather 

 downwards than upwards to prevent its rising to the 

 surface. 



Bearing these conditions in mind, I have after a good 

 many experiments constructed a tackle in which I 

 believe it will be seen that they are all fairly fulfilled ; 

 and as I have now for some years been in the habit of 

 using it, I can safely say that I have found the conclu- 

 sions arrived at on theory fully borne out by the results 

 of practice. 



This tackle is shown in the annexed plate, — figure i 

 representing the arrangement of hooks in the flight, and 

 figure 2 the same when baited. In baiting, the gimp is 

 passed under a good broad strip of skin with the baiting- 

 needle* (in two separate stitches if necessary), and 

 pulled through until the shank of the small hook {a) is 

 brought close up to the side of the bait below the skin : 

 this keeps the large flying triangle {b) at a proper dis- 

 tance and in its correct position under the shoulder of 

 the bait. 



It is of importance, to secure the full killing powers of 

 this or any other tackle, that the proportion between the 

 size of the hooks and the bait with which they are used 

 should be preserved. The bait shown in the engraving 



* The best baiting-needles, whether for Minnows or larger bait, are 

 those in which the eye is in this shape. 



