432 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



to its spinning celerity. Like all other artificial baits, it of course 

 loses its attractiveness in waters much fished with it and of circum- 

 scribed area. I have, however, had great sport with it on some of the 

 best pike lakes in the kingdom, and its hooking power is second to none, 

 owing to the latter hook being of good make and penetration, and to the 

 position of both this and the shoulder hook being exactly in the desired 

 position. 



Another hollow bait is produced by Gregory, which is, at least, exceed- 

 ingly novel. It consists of a hollow silver plated coil, in which a bait is 

 placed, and fixed by a pin held in its place at the tail, after the style of a 

 common safety pin. Thus one side of the bait is in armour. Two 

 flanges are as usual placed at the head of the bait. I cannot say much 

 in favour of it. It looks to me like trying to improve the natural bait, 

 which is a proceeding directly opposed to the conclusions of my ex- 

 perience. 



This bait, it may, however, be added, is useful when the natural bait is 

 scarce. It sometimes happens that one has only a few, and those small, 

 left, and in such a case the use of the artificial arrangement in question is 

 undeniably commendable if we turn my objection round, and instead of 

 saying this tackle is an effort to improve on nature, we accept the converse, 

 and admit that the natural bait improves the artificial. This can only be 

 when such a contingency as that mentioned occurs, but as the enclosed 

 bait is preserved a much longer time when fixed, it is justifiable to 

 thus negatively accord praise to the device. 



The Colorado bait (a tasselled spoon, to which are affixed the sinker 

 and wings, fins, or flanges) and the Devon minnow (a well known metal 

 minnow) are before me, and I can recall sport with each. These and the 

 hundred and one quill, phantom, bone, gutta percha, tin, and other 

 artificial baits are all and each good in their way. I think, however, 

 those I have mentioned are at the head of the whole lot. 



I recollect once extemporaneously making up an artificial bait which, 

 albeit, though rough, if properly and expertly made, is a splendid substi- 

 tute for the metal manufactures I have detailed. It is made of gutta 

 percha, and this is how : Take a sheet of gutta percha, such as is used 

 by electricians, about a quarter of an inch in thickness or better still, take 

 a sheet of vulcanite and cut a strip about five inches long, and at the 

 broadest part half an inch. Bring both ends to an apex gradually from 

 the broadest part and drill three holes, one at the top, one on one side 

 at the middle, and the other at the bottom. Soften the vulcanite, by 

 dipping in hot water and taking the top and bottom between thumb and 

 finger of each hand, give it one half twist ; let it cool. Next get some 

 gold size, and with a camel hair brush apply it to the bait. When this is 



