122 ANGLING FOR GAME FISH. 



modem (and probably tbe largest) works on angling ever 

 published, that salmon will not take a bait as it is being drawn 

 in. If this were the case, the men who troll for salmon with 

 spinning baits, on the Upper Shannon and other large streams, 

 would never catch anything, for, in quiet waters, the minnow, 

 coUey, or gudgeon, as the case may be, has to be drawn 

 through the water, or it would not spin. Salmon will take 

 spinning baits whether drawn through the water or let out in 

 rapid streams, and worked very much in the same manner as 

 salmon-flies. If the stream will spin the minnow, the stream 

 should be allowed to do its work without assistance; but if 

 the stream has not the requisite power, the angler must come 

 to the stream's assistance. In summer, spinning for salmon 

 is little use. In the Trent, the favourite spinning baits, par- 

 ticularly in spring, are phantom minnows, 2in. to 2iin. in 

 length, and golden, or blue and silver, in colour. They are 

 worked in the deepest pools, as close as possible to the bottom. 

 These baits are cast oE the reel, which must be of the free- 

 running, Nottingham type, and the line must be of the plaited 

 silk, not dressed. With this tackle the casts are made across 

 and slightly down stream, as in fly-fishing. 



The Prawn is an exceedingly deadly bait — more deadly, 

 perhaps, than any other. It is generally used when the water 

 is low and clear, and fly-fishing is useless; but salmon will 

 take it when the water is high, provided only it is clear. 

 Prawns are usually either salted or preserved in glycerine. 

 Before being placed in glycerine they should be boiled with 

 a little saltpetre until they change colour, and then be laid 

 separately on a cloth to dry. Salting is, I think, preferable. 

 An earthen jar is three-fourths filled with prawns, on the 

 top of which is placed as much salt as the jar will hold. 

 "Water is then poured in until all the interstices are filled up 

 and the salt dissolved. The best prawn-tackle is that shown 

 in Fig. 78. The needle is put in at the tail and out at the 

 head of the bait, and the point then passed through the small 

 loop on the shank of the lowest double hook. A few turns of 

 red silk or thread are then taken round the tail, to make all 

 secure. A cast of single gut, as fine as may be safely used. 



