MINNOW FISHING 99 



tree roots, and behind boulders, and the heads of 

 rapid streams, should all be carefully searched, and 

 when the angler observes a trout rush from its place 

 of concealment at his minnow, he must keep a firm 

 hold upon his nerves and simply continue steadily 

 to spin without himself otherwise moving. 



A trout bent upon the capture of a minnow becomes 

 very unwary and will frequently follow his prey 

 almost to the feet of the angler, and, if the angler 

 remains as still as his spinning will allow, will often 

 seize the bait at the last moment. It is very necessary 

 therefore to fish a cast right out. 



It is also wise in the main to adapt the size of the 

 minnow, be it natural or artificial, to the size of the 

 water to be fished ; and it should always be remembered 

 that a minnow is better too small than too large. 

 When fishing small tributary waters, or even thin 

 water on the main river, the weight of the lead or 

 sinker may be materially reduced, and a small minnow 

 should be used. 



When fishing the main river under low clear water 

 conditions, upstream methods must be rigidly adhered 

 to, and the beginner may here be warned, above all 

 things, not to get into that mechanical method of 

 fishing the minnow now so prevalent, which is satisfied 

 with long casts across the river and recovery of line 

 without any definite object in view, except to get the 

 minnow from one side to the other. 



