170 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



be a large hook there. So far as our experience goes, 

 this opinion is incorrect. We have frequently caught 

 trout with numbers of minnows and other small fish 

 in their inside, nine out of ten of which were swal- 

 lowed tail-foremost ; and this is only natural, as it is 

 hardly to be supposed that a minnow will look a 

 trout in the face till the latter swallows him ; and it 

 is equally improbable that the trout will let the 

 minnow out of his mouth when once in, merely for 

 the gratification of bolting him head-foremost. 

 From observations taken when the water was clear, 

 we think that five trout out of six seize the minnow 

 from behind. We have watched them come out 

 from below the opposite bank, and follow the minnow 

 across, always keeping below it, apparently afraid 

 that they might be seen by their prey ; and frequently 

 making no attempt to seize it till it was just at the 

 edge. Some anglers say that the upper hook is the 

 most deadly, but we have never found this to be the 

 case, generally capturing four trout on the lower 

 hook for one on the upper ; and even when caught 

 with the upper wire, the appearance frequently 

 shows that they have had the whole minnow in their 

 mouth, and that the upper hook had first come in 

 contact with their mouth in striking, but that the 

 lower hook and the minnow had been expelled sub- 

 sequently to their being hooked. A large hook 

 through the lips is very easily seen, and also interferes 

 with the spinning of the minnow. 



Swivels are a necessary addition to the minnow- 

 tackle in order to prevent the spinning of the 



