394: MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



a vessel of water, or by taking them with a large hoop-net 

 or fine casting-net. The last plan is that usually adopted, 

 but it requires some little practice for its use, and nothing 

 but an ocular demonstration will give any idea of the 

 mode of employment. Any fisherman will, however, ini- 

 tiate the tyro for a trifling consideration. With the hoop- 

 net they may be taken, by sinking it by means of weights 

 to the bottom of the brook ; then, after enticing the min- 

 nows by means of small pieces of worms dropped over it, 

 the string is suddenly raised, and the minnows are caught 

 in its meshes. 



Bait-fish may be preserved alive by placing them in a 

 perforated tin or wooden case, and sinking them in any 

 running stream, in which mode they retain their health 

 and liveliness for an indefinite period. They may also be 

 kept alive for a long time in any clean vessel by changing 

 their water frequently ; but in this way they are not so 

 healthy as in the above plan. When wanted for use, a 

 small bait-kettle is used with a perforated lid, and capable 

 of containing from one to two quarts of water. This 

 should be kept under the shade of a tree or hedge while 

 the fishing is going on, as the heat of the sun soon raises 

 the temperature of the water to such a height as to de- 

 stroy the life of the fish, or so nearly so as to cause their 

 death soon after putting them on the hook. 



ARTIFICIAL BAITS AND FLIES. 



Minnows are now manufactured so as closely to resem- 

 ble the real fish in appearance, but most of them fail in 



