THE COMMON BROWN TROUT. 267 



majority of cases, were perfectly arranged, or nearly so. Hence, when a 

 trout did rise at one of his baits, he almost infallibly hooked him. I 

 have some artificial baits, made by Mr. Gregory, of Vyse-street, Bir- 

 mingham (of which I shall speak more particularly anon), which are 

 simply beyond criticism in this respect. So also is the arrangement of 

 hooks in modern minnow tackles, and hence the superiority of the 

 same. 



Another reason why artificial baits are not likely to be triumphant 

 over the natural bait lies in the fact that trout soon learn the nature of 

 an artificial bait if it be used frequently on the same stretch of water. 

 This is not the case with the natural minnow. A trout may feel the 

 hook and get away, but he is nevertheless quite prepared to vouch for 

 the identity of the natural minnow, whereas, if his jaws close round a 

 hard piece of brass or German silver, and he ultimately breaks away, his 

 feelings have been so rudely shocked, and his understanding so abso- 

 lutely awakened, that he never forgets the sham. This theory is borne 

 out by experience, fanciful as it may seem. 



The method of throwing a bait has been sufficiently explained in the 

 chapter on Pike (pp. 141 to 161), and I need only further add, that too 

 much stress cannot be laid on the desirability of quietude and deliberation 

 of movement. Some anglers cast with an underhand motion, but I do not 

 care for it unless a short distance only is desired to be attained. In such 

 case the underhand style may with advantage be adopted. 



Where to cast is a question of some interest. First, it may be said 

 that my experience leads me to advocate chiefly up and out casting. 

 When the bait is first rounding the segment of the circle, which it de- 

 scribes before being down stream in position, the trout are most generally 

 hooked. It would seem that the fish follows the bait down, and then, as 

 it turns to go up stream, as it were, seizes upon it as if fearful of losing 

 it. Very often it is advisable to fish down ; but this is to be regulated 

 by circumstances, as in worm and fly fishing. 



In fishing flooded waters I usually throw across and work it gradually 

 round with a sort of sink and draw motion of the bait. Naturally, in 

 this style, it is advisable to use a very light weight in some cases a 

 swan shot placed loose in the mouth of the bait is sufficient. Of course, 

 the mouth of the minnow being closed by the lip hook, this shot is there 

 retained. In every case it is needful to take care that the bait be not 

 drawn out of the water with haste or abruptly, because, as is often the 

 case with pike, the trout sometimes follow, and at the last moment jump 

 at it. In all cases before striking let the trout turn, then fix the steel 

 with one or two sharp, but not too determined, strikes. 



Fishing in clear water is, of course, more difficult than in water so 



