CHANGE OF BAIT. IOI 



The special advantages in the " Excelsior " are the 

 extra weight it being almost double that of any bait 

 of the same size and dimensions which enables the 

 tyro to spin and cast with ease and success, with but 

 little practice. Its durability adapts it for general use 

 amongst pike, perch, chub, trout, or salmon. The hooks 

 are fixed in the bait without gut, being eyed triangles 

 of heavy metal ; the nuisance of hooks breaking away 

 through faulty gut is thus obviated. 



Upon the choice of colours much depends, as trout 

 are partial to a change in this respect. Take as an 

 illustration upon a recent occasion having been 

 requested to test the killing qualities of a new artificial, 

 we had repaired to a famous brooklet,* and had 

 succeeded in creeling some four brace of good fish 

 from a confined length of a hundred and fifty 

 yards, which was the extent of our permit. All 

 further dealings were ignored after this being accom- 

 plished, though we had moved many more fish than 

 we had taken. Something like half an hour elapsed 

 without our turning over a single fin. Upon this we 

 put another bait of a totally different shade, when in 

 action, upon the line, and commenced, and in the course 

 of the next twenty minutes five more fish were landed, 

 when the fish again turned stupid ; but upon a bright 

 metal bait, without colouring matter at all, being pre- 

 sented to them, two more brace were taken. Beyond 

 doubt the fish's eye and palate are tickled by a change 

 occasionally. 



We invariably advocate the use of trie very finest 



* Brailsford Brook. 



