98 THE TROUT. 



notice of the fish, and first impressions are, as 

 every one knows, all important. 



In trouting from the bank, under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, a landing-net is not necessary the 

 largest fish may be coaxed on to a shelving bank 

 without difficulty, and if a lift be necessary, use 

 your hands, not the line. When wading, it is 

 different ; unless you are prepared to lead every 

 fish to the bank, which in broad streams is a sad 

 waste of time, a landing-net is indispensable. A 

 belt round the waist will be found very convenient 

 to stick the handle through, and if kept well be- 

 hind, will not be in the way. 



Spinning the minnow is a deadly mode of 

 capturing trout, especially large trout. In the 

 Thames it is almost the only recognised method 

 of fishing, and many gentlemen among whom we 

 may mention Mr Gould, the naturalist, Mr Sachs, 

 and Mr Lukyn have attained marvellous skill in 

 the art of throwing and working the lure. A good- 

 Sized minnow is without doubt the most effective 

 bait ; but there are various imitations, such as 

 Ogden's "kill-devil" and "phantom" minnow, which 

 are almost as effective, and much less troublesome. 

 Whether a real or sham bait be used, the great 

 object is to make it spin truly ; the wobble, appar- 

 ently so seductive in the case of the pike, has the 



