MOST FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS OF WATER. 185 



round two or three split shot, which, unless a large 

 minnow, it cannot do properly. 



Minnow-fishing in flooded waters is so different 

 from minnow-fishing when the waters are clear, that 

 we shall treat of them separately, and shall com- 

 mence with the flooded waters. The mode of fish- 

 ing usually adopted is to throw the minnow across 

 the stream, and work it gradually round, now pull- 

 ing it up the water for a foot or so, and then letting 

 it fall back again, and so on, till it comes round to 

 the side on which the angler is standing. It should 

 be subjected to every variety of motion, one cast 

 drawn steadily against the stream, and the next 

 with short jerks across it ; and even allowing it to 

 go with the current will sometimes prove inviting. 

 Great care should be taken not to lift the minnow 

 out of the water till it is quite close to the edge, as 

 trout will frequently follow the minnow, and make 

 no attempt to seize it until it is just at the edge, 

 when, apparently afraid that their prey is about to 

 escape, they make a rush at it. When a trout has 

 taken the minnow the line should be slackened for 

 a moment or two, to allow it to get the minnow 

 fairly in its mouth, and then the angler should 

 strike firmly. Fly-fishers are exceedingly apt to 

 strike the moment they feel or see anything, which 

 is much too soon. For this reason also a moderately 

 long line is advantageous, as with it the angler can- 

 not strike so soon, and as he is fishing down stream it 

 has also the advantage of keeping him out of sight. 



