WORM, MINNOWS, ETC. 329 



I have heard of a hard running fish, when danger is 

 ahead, being stopped in his run by the sudden taking off 

 of the strain on him ; the fisherman casting off plenty of 

 loose line, and the fish finding that he is no longer pulled 

 one way, recognises no necessity for running in another, 

 and so stops. I cannot vouch for the truth of this. It is 

 possible, of course, but it sounds like a risk one would not 

 like to try, and I only mention it for what it is worth. 



Salmon are often caught by worm, minnow, shrimp, 

 and artificial bait. The worm is employed by means of a 

 large hook capable of holding two or three lob-worms. 

 These should be threaded on the hook so that their tails 

 may hang down from the hook, and form a good big 

 bunch or mass of worm-meat. Three or four heavy swan 

 shot or a sinker, equal to the weight of the stream, should 

 be used ; the worm pitched well above the ' lie ' of the 

 fish, and allowed to travel freely along the bottom. When 

 you have a bite, be not in too great a hurry, as the salmon 

 does not bolt his prey instantly, but often mouths it for a 

 short time ; give him time, and when you think he has 

 had time to get the bait in his mouth, a sharp, steady, 

 but not too violent tug, will put you en rapport with 

 him. Then look out for squalls, and do the best you can 

 with him. The minnow, par-tail, and artificial baits are 

 used, in much the same way as I have already pointed out 

 for trout ; and the natural or artificial shrimp, baited on 

 one large hook, and cast and worked by sinking and 

 drawing, is a deadly bait on very many rivers. A friend 

 of mine used shrimps on traveller Nottingham tackle, 

 'vith float and all complete, and he did wonders with it, 

 and killed many fish with the very finest tackle. I once 

 hooked a good fish in the Galway river with the Archi- 

 medean minnow, being induced to try it by seeing the 

 small fry flying from the water as though a pike were 

 after them. Usually, however, I do not care to use any- 



