BEST WEATHER FOR USING THE MINNOW. 189 



up, and just pulls it towards him, trout will take 

 it readily. The best sport we ever had was by 

 fishing up stream with the minnow and worm 

 alternately. 



The minnow may also be baited and used in 

 the same manner as a worm a small minnow is 

 best for this method ; but we have never met with 

 much success by using it in this way, and the sport 

 is not nearly so attractive as ordinary minnow 

 fishing. 



Trout may be captured with minnow, when the 

 waters are clear, during the whole season, but the 

 summer quarter is the best. In the month of May, 

 trout generally take most readily in the afternoon, 

 from two or three to six, or even later ; but in June 

 and July, the early morning, and the evening from 

 a little before sunset till midnight, and sometimes 

 on till daylight, are the best times. Should, how- 

 ever, the weather be very coarse, it is useless fish- 

 ing either in the morning or at night, and the 

 trout will take most readily during the early part 

 of the day. 



At all seasons, and at all hours, and in all con- 

 ditions of water unless, perhaps, in a full flood, 

 when an occasional blink of sunshine is beneficial 

 we prefer dark weather for trouting with the 

 minnow ; and in June and July the weather can 

 hardly be too coarse. 



In warm summer nights the minnow is a very 

 deadly bait, and should be fished with in quiet still 



