ATTACHING THE MINNOW. ] 31 



but it may either be enlarged or lessened, according to 

 the proportions of the minnow employed, that is to say, 

 should the minnow exceed the usual and favourite 

 length of two inches and a half, a tackle of correspond- 

 ing dimensions becomes requisite, and the same, when 

 the bait is undersized. 



Of the advantages of this description of tackle, I 

 require to say little. They are apparent to all who are 

 in the custom of using it, and arise, in no small degree, 

 from its great simplicity. This, mainly, it is that ren- 

 ders the process of baiting or attaching the min- 

 now, at once speedy and neat. It can, in fact, be 

 performed in a few seconds, and is generally free from 

 such imperfections as either offend the eye or affect the 

 spinning. With respect, indeed, to its qualification of 

 spinning well, there is, in the size and arrangement of 

 the hooks, those very requisites that enable it to do so. 

 This will be readily understood by the annexed illustra- 

 tion of the baited tackle, and a description of the mode 

 of baiting generally adopted. 



In attaching the minnow, enter the large or lower- 

 most hook at its mouth, and run the fish, in the same 

 manner you would a worm, along over the bend and 

 shank, taking care not to rupture its skin or belly. 

 When about a quarter of an inch from the tail, bring 

 through the barb, allowing it to protrude freely, 

 until, in fact, the turn of the hook is almost exposed, 

 the minnow, which presents necessarily a curved form, 

 covering the remainder. This done, and presuming 



