98 BROOK AND RIVER TROUTING 



flood, should be fished ; and, if it be possible to cast 

 the minnow upstream and to work it down, the reward 

 will be greater than that gained by the man who will 

 not take the trouble to fish as recommended. 



The next point to consider is the strike, and it is 

 in minnow fishing that the angler's self-control will be 

 most highly taxed. As soon as he feels a trout touch 

 the minnow, he will be tempted to strike — the novice 

 will probably give a startled jerk and ruin his chances 

 — but not until a trout has got a good hold on the 

 minnow should any strike be given ; and then it should 

 be more of a firm steady strain than what is generally 

 known as a " strike." 



Minnow fishing in a clear water is very much more 

 artistic, and at the same time more difficult, than the 

 methods previously described, for it calls for precise and 

 delicate casting, and requires an intimate knowledge 

 of the habits of trout. In the blazing days of late 

 summer it is very exhilarating to fish the minnow up 

 some small clear tributary stream or brook, at the 

 most only a few yards wide ; and to do so successfully 

 requires consummate skill. 



In fishing waters of this description it is imperative 

 that the minnow be thrown directly upstream and 

 then rapidly spun down. This latter point must be 

 attended to, otherwise the minnow coming down 

 more or less with the current, will not spin. The 

 main stream, places under banks, about submerged 



