MINNOW AND PARR-TAIL FISHING 173 



May the forenoon is the best time, but in June and 

 July, if the weather is mild, the morning from three 

 to eight is usually the best time ; but if the weather 

 is stormy, trout will take most readily during the 

 day. A flooded water during June or July is a sure 

 index of sport, and should be attended to. 



Trouting with the minnow when the waters are 

 clear is a much more difficult and elegant practice 

 than that just described. If the water is sufficiently 

 deep to admit of it, the minnow should be kept well 

 sunk, as it spins better ; and as the angler cannot 

 see the trout take it, he is therefore less likely to 

 strike too soon. In large streams, the necks of 

 pools, rapid broken water of no great depth, detached 

 currents, and the comparatively smooth but strong 

 water at the foot of pools, are in general the best 

 places. Unless the trout are taking very readily, we 

 have never met with much sport in deep water of any 

 kind. 



In small streams, when they are clear, it is better 

 to dispense with sinkers, as they make a great splash 

 on alighting, and in shallow water are exceedingly 

 apt to drag the minnow to the bottom. In small 

 streams the main current and strong runs at pool 

 heads are likely places, but the best casts of all are 

 where the stream runs beneath the bank, even 

 though the water is comparatively quiet. The 

 angler should throw his minnow upon the opposite 

 bank, and drawing it gently off, spin it past the 

 place where he expects the trout is lying, and across 

 to his own side of the water. He may frequently 



