184 MINNOW AND PARR-TAIL FISHING. 



once in, merely for the gratification of bolting him 

 head-foremost. From observations taken when the 

 water was clear, we think that five trout out of six 

 seize the minnow from behind. We have watched 

 them come out from below the opposite bank, and 

 follow the minnow across, always keeping below it, 

 apparently afraid that they might be seen by their 

 prey, and frequently making no attempt to seize it 

 till it was just at the edge. Some anglers say that 

 the upper hook is the most deadly, but we have 

 never found this to be the case, generally capturing 

 four trout on the lower hook for one on the upper ; 

 and even when caught with the upper wire, the 

 appearance frequently shows that they have had the 

 whole minnow in their mouth, and that the upper 

 hook had first come in contact with their mouth in 

 striking, but that the lower hook and the minnow 

 had been expelled subsequently to their being 

 hooked. A large hook through the lips is very 

 easily seen, and also interferes with the spinning 

 of the minnow. 



Swivels are a necessary addition to the minnow 

 tackle in order to prevent the spinning of the min- 

 now from twisting the line. One should be placed 

 about two feet above the hook, and a second about 

 a yard farther up. Split shot, Nos. 2 and 3, are 

 also necessary to the minnow-fisher, and should be 

 placed above the first swivel. Some place them 

 below, but in this position they interfere very much 

 with the spinning of the minnow, as it has to turn 



