MINNOW FLIGHTS. 73 



if a bad cast is made, and it does not always spin well. At 

 the same time, if skilfully adjusted, it hooks and holds fish. 

 Mr. Cholmondeley Pennell has invented a tackle in which 

 the gut goes outside the bait, and the upper triangle is hooked 

 in the back of the minnow instead of the vent. It is a good 

 tackle, but I have always found a difficulty in getting it small 

 enough. 



There has recently been brought out a tackle not unlike 

 Mr, Pennell's, called the "Imperceptible Spinner." The lead 

 which goes into the bait is fixed on to a soft copper sword, 

 which goes through the bait from head to tail. By bending 

 the sword, any degree of curve can be given to the minnow, 

 and the triangles can be put on the outside of the curve. 

 The idea is as old as the hills, but it has not been so well 

 carried out heretofore. 



The great point to be observed is to use very small minnows 

 (unless, of course, the water is considerably coloured), for a 

 trout can get hold of a small bait much better than a large 

 one. For small minnows, I would, as I have said, certainly 

 give the preference to the North-country tackle. 



The minnow may be cast in a variety of ways. Use a long 

 cane rod (16ft.), and merely swing the minnow across the stream 

 and draw it back; or use a grilse rod, and cast it like a fly; 

 or use an lift, rod, and cast it underhand, Thames fashion, 

 letting line run through the rings. The line in this method 

 may be in coils on the ground; or the angler may cast directly 

 off the reel (this is only possible if a lead of some weight is 

 either in minnow or on trace); or two loops of line may be 

 pulled down from between the rings, to be released as the 

 minnow is cast out. The last-mentioned method is little used 

 by trout-fishers, but is well worth learning. It is illustrated 

 in "Angling for Coarse Fish." 



Draw the bait fast enough to make it spin well, and no 

 more. Usually cast across the stream, and rather up than 

 down; but in very bright and not too rapid water cast 

 straight up and draw down. This is difficult, but not im- 

 possible, and takes far more fish than any other method. 

 Spin close to the bank. Search every corner, even as 



