SPINNING AND BAIT FISHING. 347 



say, in other words, that it is only in certain rivers and lakes in 

 which the spinning bait can be used with any probability of 

 success. For example, on the Clare-Galway river, which 

 debouches into Loch Corrib, when there is a little freshet on 

 in September or October the spinning eel-tail is considered the 

 most attractive bait. On the Tweed, again, the real minnow, 

 spun as I am about to describe, is most deadly, though, un- 

 fortunately for the spinner, not allowed, I believe, to be used. 

 On the Aberdeenshire Dee, again, where it is permitted, the 

 minnow is exceedingly effective, whilst on other waters, as, 

 for example, on the Awe and Lochy, two of the most cele- 

 brated salmon rivers of Scotland, it is of no earthly use, and 

 the minnow spinner might, for all practical purposes, as well 

 fling his hat in. Still, as I have said, there are some salmon 

 waters, and those good ones, where the spun minnow is an 

 exceedingly deadly bait, and a few hints as to tackle and the 

 best mode of using it, may, therefore, not be unacceptable. 



With regard to the eel-tail bait, to which I have already 

 alluded, this is best made from the last 3 or 4 inches of the tail 

 of an eel n to 14 inches long ; and the best way to apply it is 

 as follows : 



Skin the said eel l downwards to the 3- or 4-inch point 

 alluded to. Cut the body off there, together with a small 

 piece of the spine bone below the level. Then pass a large 

 salmon hook in at the orifice, and run it down the middle 

 of the tail (until the shank is entirely embedded in the fish) 

 bringing the point out about one and a half inches from the end 

 of the tail, so as to make the bait follow the curve of the hook. 

 Now tie the loose skin tightly and closely round with a piece 



1 How TO SKIN AN EEL. Having killed the eel, which is done best by 

 dashing it down hard two or three times on a flagstone or other hard flooring, 

 make a circular incision through the skin below the pectoral fin, by passing the 

 blade of a sharp penknife under the skin, bit by bit in a circular direction. 

 Then ' pin ' the head of the eel down to a table with a steel fork, and having 

 got hold of the edge of the skin with the finger nails, and turned it down a 

 little way, take hold of it with a dry cloth, and it will generally peel off with 

 ease. 



