74: THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



of spoon baits reminds us that there has of late been an 

 improvement of importance in their construction, we 

 refer to the " Colorado." At the hollow side of the 

 dished metal is placed a barrel-shaped lead upon a wire, 

 around which lead and wire revolves the spoon itself, it 

 having a pair of flanges at its upper or narrow end. The 

 conspicuous triangle fixed at the extremity is partially 

 hid by a tag or tassel of vermilion wool, secured by flat 

 silver tinsel. Its action when in the water is really ad- 

 mirable, and great things are reported as having been 

 accomplished since its comparatively recent introduction. 

 We never did believe in " spooning," but since the inven- 

 tion of the " Colorado"* our sentiments have undergone 

 somewhat of a change. For the capture of the very 

 heaviest pike in river or lake this bait is particularly well 

 adapted. Metal casts of fry mounted in various ways are 

 now to be obtained. In many of these much ingenuity 

 is displayed, as notably in the different makes of " Greg- 

 ory" baits, some of which spin upon their own axis; 

 these for rotary motion are perhaps unequalled, others 

 being jointed and thus flexible, while others again are 

 stationary, relying as per precedent upon the upper swivels 

 for freedom in spinning. Many of the above are colored 

 with a view to the effect when in action. Other baits are 

 representations of some distinct species of fish, as gud- 

 geon, dace, etc. These are for the most part constructed 

 from gutta-percha, rubber, etc. They are often much 

 esteemed when stationary; they may please the human 

 eye, but fail to meet with due appreciation from the fish 

 when in action. The general curved shape of the body 

 acts very detrimentally in causing the line to describe a 

 spiral or corkscrew flight, which is calculated to miss what 

 fish may deign to essay an acquaintance. The " Phan- 



* The spinning baits named by the author are not in general use in 

 America; the exceptions being the " Phantom " (the Imbrie improved), 

 and the Devon or Angle. 



