MINNOW-FISHING 213 



called the bead or drop minnow. The tackle is made and 

 is used much after the same system as that shown in Plate V, 

 Fig. 7, page 78, as being employed by the Nottingham 

 spinners. From the junction of the lip-hook depends a pear- 

 shaped pellet of lead, secured to the tackle by a small ring. 

 The tackle is not reeved through the gill as in the Nottingham 

 plan, but the bead of lead is forced into the minnow's mouth, 

 which is then closed by means of the lip-hook, the first triangle 

 being hooked in just behind the back fin, so as to give the bait 

 a bend, the second triangle hanging loose just beyond the tail. 

 It is by no means a bad tackle for a small hooked pattern, but 

 I do not like the plan of putting lead inside the minnow ; 

 baits thus treated very soon wear out and cut through at 

 the gills and throat ; the bait too, is rather apt to wobble 

 in this method of baiting. This form of tackle is much com- 

 mended by Mr. Pennell in his Book of the Pike. 



Before using minnow tackle, the angler should always 

 soak it well, as everything works and spins better after a soak- 

 ing than when stiff and hard. All the swivels, too, should be 

 looked to that they may work in the freest possible manner 

 and without a hitch ; and if any swivel does not work well, 

 and cannot by oiling or greasing and working be got into good 

 order, it is better to discard it and use another, as in practice 

 it will be found useless. 



The minnows may be carried in a small tin box, strapped 

 to the left side, as in the natural May fly-fishing ; and as at 

 times there may be a good deal of wading, and the angler 

 may have to bait while wading, which is an awkward job 

 unless he walks out of the water to the bank, which is not 

 always desirable, the angler should have buttoned to his hip 

 a leather socket to fit the butt of his rod. You will find, brother 

 angler, a wonderful comfort in this ; for example, when land- 

 ing your fish, put the butt in the socket, and hold your rod by 

 the left hand ; you then have perfect command over your 

 fish without any strain on the arm, and you have your right 

 hand perfectly free to work the net and lift the fish out ; when 

 you have lifted him out and disposed of your net, the rod 

 rests in the hollow of the arm, and both hands can be employed 

 upon the fish and the hooks. 



And now as to casting. Unless you are casting long casts 

 from the bank, you do not adopt the Thames style, but with 

 a long rod, and rather more line out than the length of the rod, 

 you swing the bait upwards by the underhand swing. This is 



