BAIT FISHING. 241 



kissing the surface of the water, and moving to and 

 fro in a manner so seducing as to beguile the most 

 wary salmon of every atom of prudence ! 



FISHING WITH BAIT, MINNOW, AND PARRS TAIL. 



When the water is too low for the fly, and quite clear, 

 then begins the bait or worm fishing in Tweed. The 

 tackle consists of a large hook at the end of your line, 

 and a smaller one above it, placed like the lip-hook in 

 minnow tackle. These are threaded with worms. The 

 manner of putting them on will be better learnt from 

 the fishermen on the river side than it can be explained 

 in writing. When the water is in right order, that is, 

 low and clear, as I have said above, and the weather 

 fresh, a clever fisherman may glean the river of almost 

 all the fish that are left in the streams. Tolerably large 

 shot being fixed towards the end of the line, and the 

 worms themselves being heavy, it requires some dex- 

 terity to throw a good distance without accidents. To 

 obviate these, and to effect your purpose, begin with a 

 line of moderate length, and tuck out a few folds of 

 the reel, holding them fast with your hand when you 

 bring your rod back, but letting them go just as you 

 have discharged your throw. Thus the line is short at 

 first, but the weight of the shot and worms carry out 

 the folds to the extent required. Having thus cast 

 beyond the run of the salmon, let the stream carry 

 round your bait easily, without any jerk on your part 

 whatever, or any further motion than humouring it 

 towards the shore. Contract the line as the bait comes 



