METHODS OF CAPJURING MINNOWS. 141 



The hoop-net also, when the waters are clear and 

 small, may be employed with great advantage against 

 the minnow tribe. It is used most successfully in bye- 

 waters, where the fish in question are observed in large 

 shoals, and consists simply of a ring or hoop, at least 

 three or four feet in diameter, and formed of thick wire, 

 to which a net has been suspended. This is attached 

 by cords converging from the circumference, to a staff 

 or pole two or three yards in length, by the assistance 

 of which the net is laid cautiously down, in the shallow 

 resort or piece of bye-water alluded to. The fish, by 

 means of small fragments of worms or other bait, are 

 then invited to feed over it, and when drawn in sufficient 

 numbers towards the centre of the bag, the whole is 

 suddenly lifted by the person employed to capture them. 

 I have witnessed nearly a hatful of minnows taken, by 

 this mode of netting, at one draught, but, unless with 

 the view to furnish a store or summer supply of live 

 bait, I am inclined to think the adoption of it, on the 

 part of the angler, reprehensible, seeing it embraces an 

 encouragement to wholesale destruction. 



A third method of capturing minnows for bait is with 

 the hook and line. Upon this expedient there is no 

 need of enlarging. Those who have recourse to it 

 should, however, always remember to employ tackle 

 properly proportioned to the size of the fish. Let them 

 use one or two hooks, as they think desirable, of sizes 2 

 or 3, round-bend. A small fragment of worm will suffice 

 for the bait, the upper half of a trouting rod or a branch 

 cut from some neighbouring willow, for the wand ; and 

 I would recommend, moreover, the use of a small float, 

 which not only prevents the hook from coming into 

 contact with the bottom, but notifies to the angler the 

 exact time when to strike. 



