BAITS. 9 



used successfully in trout fishing. They are 

 found in fresh ploughed earth, and under old stumps, 

 Decaying foliage, &c. The grasshopper is also good 

 for trout in his season. The trout or salmon spawn 

 will attract trout quicker than any other possihle 

 bait, but it is not always to be had. Catapillars, flies, 

 locusts, beetles, &c., are good for trout. 



Live bait consists of the minnow, the shiner, (or 

 mullet,) the gold-fish, and other small fish. Ponds 

 of these fish are kept by those who furnish baits, and 

 by some habitual sportsmen. 



The frog is an excellent bait for pickerel. They 

 are sometimes used whole, but in cases where you 

 use the hind legs only, they should be skinned. 



For salt-water fishing, the shrimp is the leading 

 bait. The shedder-crab, in its season, is most excel- 

 lent, particularly for striped bass. The soft-shell 

 clam, cut in small pieces, is a good bait for many 

 kinds of sea fish. The horse-mackerel, or small blue 

 fish is an excellent bait. Where the tide runs swift, 

 use the tail, leaving on the fins. 



PREPARING BAITS. We have before said that 

 salmon-roe was an excellent bait for trout. The roe 

 of large trout or salmon-trout is just as good. These 

 are tempting baits for many other fresh water fish 

 besides the trout. Old fishermen preserve it as fol- 

 lows : First put it in warm water, not hot enough to 

 scald much then separate the membranous films 

 rinse it well in cold water and hang it up to dry. 

 The next day salt it with two ounces of salt and a 



