BASS FISHING WITH THE MINNOW 153 



with the left finger and thumb, or you may receive 

 from a male dobson such a nip as will startle you, 

 and probably cause you to drop the repulsive and 

 savage creature in disgust. Of course this nip 

 with the mandibles is not poisonous. 



The crayfish, or, as it is sometimes termed, the 

 fresh-water crab, is another very good bait for 

 large bass. These live under the stones and 

 woodwork incidental to mill-streams, and where 

 they are plentiful are easy to catch in the follow- 

 ing way : Select a dark night. Have ready some 

 mosquito-netting tied on a wire hoop for a net. In 

 the centre of this secure a lump of lead and a 

 piece of fresh liver. Attach your net to a pole by 

 means of three cords extending from it to the cir- 

 cumference of frame of the net, and sink it in the 

 spot where you have reason to suspect the exist- 

 ence of these crayfish. Every now and then lift 

 it suddenly, and you will find sometimes half a 

 dozen crayfish at a time feeding on the liver. Of 

 course if you have half a dozen nets to attend to, 

 so much the better. 



Frogs are specially good bait for bass. They 

 are most useful when young, about an inch long, 

 and can be kept an indefinite time in a cool place 



