PLACES WHERE TO FISH. 187 



July is a sure index of sport, and should be 

 attended to. 



Trouting with the minnow when the waters are 

 clear is a much more difficult and elegant practice 

 than that just described. If the water is sufficiently 

 deep to admit of it, the minnow should be kept 

 well sunk, as it spins better ; and as the angler can- 

 not see the trout take it, he is therefore less likely 

 to strike too soon. In large streams, the necks of 

 pools, rapid broken water of no great depth, detached 

 currents, and the comparatively smooth but strong 

 water at the foot of pools, are in general the best 

 places. Unless the trout are taking very readily, 

 we have never met with much sport in deep water 

 of any kind. 



In small streams, when they are clear, it is better 

 to dispense with sinkers, as they make a great splash 

 on alighting, and in shallow water are exceedingly 

 apt to drag the minnow to the bottom. In small 

 streams the main current and strong runs at pool 

 heads are likely places, but the best casts of all are 

 where the stream runs beneath the bank, even 

 though the water is comparatively quiet. The 

 angler should throw his minnow upon the opposite 

 bank, and drawing it gently off, spin it past the 

 place where he expects the trout is lying, and across 

 to his own side of the water. He may frequently 

 observe the trout come out from the opposite bank 

 and again and again make a dart at the minnow, 

 and turn back ; if he gives his minnow a jerk, 



