120 BAIT FISHING. 



has appeared most favorable that could possibly be desired for the 

 purpose. 



In the summer months I have known very fine trout taken with 

 the gentle, or rather a string of them, which should be strung on 

 the hook by running the barb through their narrow end, using 

 about a half a dozen or so, more or less, according to the propor- 

 tion they bear to the hook they are to be fished with ; the latter of 

 which by the way must not be a very large one, This bait should 

 be fished with in the same way as the worm, and in the same 

 places. The best time for using it is early in the morning or late 

 in the evening. The cadis may be used in much the same way, 

 only that they must be strung up by the neck. 



I have also taken trout with slugs when I could procure nothing 

 else, and I found the trout take them freely enough ; but I have 

 not repeated the experiment often enough to give a positive opinion 

 of their merits, as I have never put them to the proof, except when 

 my other bait has fallen short, from the fish biting so freely : so 

 that whether this bait would entice them when inclined to practice 

 the total abstinence system, I can at present offer no opinion. 



Another very destructive bait is the preserved salmon spawn, 

 which is made with the roe of a salmon when in an advanced 

 state, which being boiled for about a quarter of an hour in water, 

 is then beat up in a mortar with salt and saltpetre, (equal parts,) 

 in about the proportion of an ounce to a pound of roe, the mem- 

 branes being afterwards picked out, the roe is put into gallipots, 

 and mutton fat run over it to exclude the air, in which way it will 

 remain good for a long time. 



It should be drifted down the stream in somewhat the same 

 manner as the worm, only it is the better plan to try in the more 

 tranquil parts of the stream, always keeping the bait near the 

 bottom. It is not so lively a bait as the worm, but is a very 

 killing one, particularly in the autumn months. It is well taken 

 when the bait is allowed to lie ledger at the bottom of a quiet 

 pool, when the fish attracted by its smell, will soon or late seize 

 upon it. The usual size of the bait is about that of a horse bean, 

 in which form it may be cut out of the paste with a pen knife, 

 or moulded into shape with the fingers. When a bite is felt 

 the fish should be allowed to turn with it before you strike, 

 when, if he is a good one, he will lose no time before he 

 gorges it. 



