Minnow-Bait. 193 



size to fit the pocket, may now be obtained at the 

 tackle-maker's, and are usually effective enough. 

 They are especially useful when the water is clear ; 

 but a small hand-net, made to screw into the butt 

 of the rod, is a ready means of capturing a supply, 

 if worked at the eddies and among the weeds at 

 the banks of flooded streams. When both these 

 contrivances fail, the hook and line must be resorted 

 to. On a fine gut place two No. 4 hooks, 12 inches 

 apart, bait with small pieces of worm, and cast into 

 the little bays and sheltered places near the margin 

 of the river. Only the small or medium -sized 

 minnows of a bright silvery hue on the under side 

 should be selected ; the greenish-coloured or the 

 spawning are useless. 



However expeditious the angler may be in secur- 

 ing his bait, the process occupies time and often 

 the best time of the day. Let him, then, whenever 

 he has a chance at the beginning of the season, or 

 at other times, lay in a stock of them at home for 

 future use. They are easily kept, out of doors or 

 within, in any roomy vessel ; and if the water be 

 changed occasionally, and always kept cool, they 

 will continue in good condition for months. When 

 this arrangement is inconvenient, they may be pre- 

 served for some time by placing them when alive 

 in spirits of wine. When kept in this way, how- 

 ever, they assume a yellowish colour, which deprives 

 N 



