THE ART OF SPINNING. 197 



say, Archer spinners for 3in. and 4in. baits 

 respectively. They are easily mounted, and have 

 one advantage, in that the lead is within the bait 

 instead of on the trace. I have an idea that a bait 

 spun by fans is not quite so attractive as one spun 

 by its own curve ; but this may be fancy, for many 

 first-rate spinners prefer the fans. More or less 

 allied to these flights are artificial baits. These are 

 legion, but none are better than two of the oldest 

 and best known, the Devon and phantom minnows. 

 I prefer the first to anything, both for trout and 

 perch, and I generally carry three or four, ranging 

 from i in. to 2in., and either silver or gold in 

 colouring a red-gold when it is to be got, which 

 is not always. The type of Devon known as the 

 Watchet is the most durable ; it is armed with one 

 or two triangles at the tail. Phantoms are variously 

 coloured, and I do not know that one is better than 

 another as a general rule, but it is well to have a 

 selection, for the taste of fish varies curiously. For 

 trout and perch i in. to 2^in. represents the usual 

 range of size. 



In buying both Devons and phantoms the novice 

 should insist on having the mounts and triangles 

 strong. Even for a small Devon single gut is inade- 

 quate, and the triangles should always be joined to 

 the swivel inside the minnow either by twisted gut 



