290 PAR-TAIL AND LAKE SPINNING. 



while they do not like the flavour of spirits, and abhor 

 naphtha. I may say, too, that the very "best trout I ever 

 caught in my life, weighing twelve pounds and a quarter, 

 and which I have now in a case (it was beautifully set up 

 by Cooper, that prince of fish-stuffers), was caught with a 

 salted dace ; and the fish took it so greedily that he 

 almost swallowed it, some of the hooks being nearly in 

 his throat. There may be something in this, or there 

 may be nothing beyond the trout being hungry ; but, as 

 I have said, I have heard other anglers make the same 

 remark, and I see no reason why a fish should not indulge 

 in a taste. 



With regard to spinning a minnow in small trout rivers, 

 I have only this advice to give ; do not do it if it be a 

 fair fly-fishing stream, and the stream be in at all fly- 

 fishing order; you spoil the sport probably of many 

 others who may be fly-fishing after you, for a slight in- 

 crease of sport for yourself a very selfish consideration, 

 and very exasperating to the others. Indeed, were I the 

 owner of a good trout stream, I would allow neither min- 

 now, worm, live fly, nor night-fishing; when the trout 

 will not take the fly fairly before dark, they should have 

 the benefit of their knowledge. Large bags would not 

 be made thus, but moderate sport in fair weather would 

 be got all through the season. In some rivers much of 

 the water is heavy and not very favourable mayhap for 

 fly-fishing, and spinning is therefore allowed ; but I say, 

 never mind the heavy waters ; they will form reservoirs or 

 depots whence the shallower fly-fishing portions can be 

 kept stocked, for the good fish will come on to the shal- 

 lows at times to feed, and one good fish caught with the 

 fly is worth three caught with minnow, in point of sport. 

 If, however, it be held indispensable that minnow should 

 be allowed, do not let it clash with the fly, but prohibit 

 it until the latter end of the season, when it may be used 



