io 4 THE FINE ART OF FISHING 



generally of three burrs or triple hooks and a lip-hook 

 on gut. This number of hooks is neither 

 imperative or sportsmanlike and, at 

 most, it is best to use not more than the 

 lip-hook and one treble. The gang should be tied on 

 double gut. The natural minnow is the very best bait 

 for lakers, and the minnows should be large, from five 

 to seven inches in length. Brook "shiners" are the 

 most effective. Sometimes when it is difficult to obtain 

 minnows large enough small suckers are used, but these 

 are not ordinarily very successful. I have even known 

 of small brook trout being sacrificed for the purpose of 

 trolling for lakers. It seems hardly necessary to con- 

 demn this. 



In some localities it is difficult to obtain minnows In 

 sufficient quantity or large enough for lake trout troll- 

 ing and in such case resort may be had 

 Artificial to var i ous artificial baits. Artificial baits 

 are not as successful with the namaycush 

 as the natural minnow, but many good lakers are taken 

 on them. One of the best artificials for lake trout is 

 known as the "silver soldier." This is a minnow made 

 of German silver, simply a flat, curved piece of metal 

 cut in minnow-shape and fitted with a single hook. A 

 number of trolling spoons are adapted to lake trout 

 fishing and the best of these are the ones which do not 

 revolve in the manner of the orthodox trolling spoon 

 but play from side to side when drawn through the 

 water. When deep-trolling it is often impracticable 

 to keep the boat moving fast enough to get sufficient 

 spin on the ordinary trolling spoon. It is also practi- 



