PREPARATION OF THE PARR-TAIL. 133 



is more liable to come into contact with the jaws of the 

 trout, seeing that, as I have already mentioned, all fish, 

 if possible, seize their prey by the head or most vital 

 part. 



The tackle No. 2 is, in all respects, similar to the 

 one above spoken of, only that it is provided, in addi- 

 tion, with a side hook, of the same dimensions as the 

 upper one. It is baited also exactly in a similar man- 

 ner; the supernumerary hook, not being entered into 

 any part of the minnow, but allowed to hang loose, by 

 its own joining, alongside of the bait. I have classed 

 this among the above illustrations, as a variety of the 

 minnow-tackle, simply, because it is employed as such 

 by some able anglers. Its conformation however, 

 renders it better adapted for parr-tail fishing, and it is, 

 properly speaking, the parr-tail tackle of Tweedside. 

 Another modification of it will be found exhibited in 

 No. 3, the difference betwixt the two lying merely in 

 the mode of appending the lower hook, which, in the 

 one arrangement, is performed as usual, while in the 

 other, a considerable portion of the shank-end is left 

 exposed, for the purpose, in baiting, of its being inserted, 

 below the skin of the tail. 



And here, seeing I have classed minnow and parr- 

 tail fishing under one head or chapter, although in truth, 

 as branches of the art, they vary in several particulars, 

 it will be proper to introduce some instructions as to 

 the modelling or preparation of the bait in question, 

 and the affixing of it to its appropriate tackle. The s / 

 parrs or smolts fittest for use are those above four and 

 under six inches in length. If of a smaller size, they 

 may, as occasion offers, be employed entire, like the 

 minnow, on suitable tackle -, larger, I cannot well re- 

 commend them, unless as a trolling bait on lochs 



