98 MINNOW TROLLING. 



less command over him. The footline for this kind of fishing 

 should be quite as long, if not longer than for fly fishing; but stout- 

 er gut may be used, and at least two double swivels, one near the 

 hooks, and the other about midway the footline should be employed. 



As to the hook part of the tackle, there seems to be almost as 

 many patterns as there are specifics for the tooth ache, but like the 

 latter, though each stands up stoutly in defence of his own plan, 

 they are none of them infallible. As for myself, after having tried 

 as many as most of my neighbours, I am inclined to return again 

 to exactly where I first set out, adhering to the mode of baiting 

 laid down by honest Izaak, with the addition only of flyer Ijpoks 

 arranged in the manner I shall shortly hereafter notice ; and if the 

 minnow does not spin well under this contrivance, it is the fault of 

 the fisher not of the tackle. The worthy old angler's instructions 

 are, and which I repeat in his own words : " Put your hook in at 

 his (the minnow's) mouth, and out at his gills, and having then 

 drawn your hook two or three inches beyond or through his gill, 

 put it in again into his mouth, and the point and beard out at his 

 tail, and then tie the hook and his tail about very neatly with a 

 white thread which, (simple as it may appear, by causing this part of 

 the minnow to adhere more tightly to the hook,) will make it 

 apter to turn quick in the water ; that done, pull back that part of 

 your line which was slack when you did put your hook into the 

 minnow the second time; I say pull that part of your line back, so 

 that it shall fasten the head so that the body of the minnow shall 

 be almost straight on your hook ; this done, try how it will turn 

 by drawing it across the water or against a stream, and if it does 

 not turn nimbly, then turn the tail a little to the right or left hand 

 and try again, till it turn quick, for if it does not, you are in danger 

 to catch nothing : for know, that it is impossible it should turn 

 too quick.'' 



The anal and dorsal fin being cut off will assist materially in 

 making the bait tarn quicker, as those fins, like the keel of a ship, 

 serve to keep the fish from rolling over : a pectoral fin on one side, 

 and a ventral fin on the other should also be cut off. Sometimes 

 if you are fortunate enough to have a hook with the exact kirby 

 bend, the minnow will spin away merrily enough without being 

 either tail tied or the fins cut away, particularly if your bait is not 

 an over large one. The best minnows are those of a middling size 

 with a white belly, though any minnow that will spin well will an* 



