198 Minnow- Fishing. 



of a mill-wheel. The angler should see, then, that 

 the hooks are inserted in such a manner as to leave 

 the minnow as straight as he found it, and one 

 condition of a good bait will be secured. The spin- 

 ning is sufficiently provided for in the position of 

 the middle hook, which, if placed through the min- 

 now as directed, is well fitted to give it all the 

 motion which is desirable. It will also be noticed 

 that the upper hook is not passed through the lips, 

 as is invariably advised, but through the eyes. 

 The reason is, that as in my tackle this hook does 

 not regulate the spinning, I am free to place it 

 where it will interfere least with the preservation 

 of the minnow, and be just as effective in the 

 destruction of the trout. For this No. 1 tackle, the 

 minnow should not exceed one inch and a half in 

 length. A tackle, tied to suit a large minnow, may 

 be accommodated to a smaller one by giving the gut 

 a turn over the middle and upper hooks before 

 inserting the latter. 



For a large-flooded water, flight No. 2 is of the 

 same simple description, but is made up of No. 

 10 hooks instead of No. 8, in order to carry a some- 

 what larger bait. In either of its two forms, this 

 triple -hook tackle spins much better than any 

 other ; and were trout always taking well, I should 

 not desire any change. But unfortunately trout 

 are capricious in their tastes as well as voracious 



