118 FISHING IN EDEN 



minnow are generally on the big side; that they 

 rush at and seize it with a sudden, hefty pull or 

 check, and in a very different way to fish taking a 

 fly. These large fish capture minnows very much 

 in the same way that a terrier catches a rabbit. 



There is perhaps no better natural minnow tackle 

 than that known as an " Ariel," but for spinning up- 

 stream, in clear water, I have found that double 

 hooks are less conspicuous than treble ones, and 

 hold quite as well. In using the Ariel I always 

 put on a small lead between the two swivels. 



For coloured water minnow fishing, I have found 

 nothing quite so economical or good as a crocodile 

 tackle. It spins perfectly without the necessity of 

 bending the minnow, and very frequently the same 

 bait can be used again after taking off a trout. 



I remember, on one occasion, when trout were 

 evidently very busy with the Tommy Loaches after 

 a flood, catching several trout with live loaches in 

 their mouths. They dropped into my hand as I was 

 releasing the tackle, and I straightway put them on 

 to the Ariel and spared my own limited supply. 



One old minnow fisherman who follows the fell 

 becks, told me, some time ago, that he prefers a 

 small bull-head to either a minnow or a loach. The 

 latter and the bull-head, although not so silvery 

 as minnows, are undoubtedly much tougher. 



