124 



MINNOW. 



working it in the hand until it is close awl of a con- 

 sistent quality. A very small pellet of this, worked 

 between the linger and thumb into a smooth round 

 pill of about this size should be put upon the point 

 of the hook, so as to bury the whole of the bend, and 

 without showing the point. This, if properly used, is 

 a killing bait. With this, the same casting-bait may 

 be used, or the gentles may be omitted ; and bread, in 

 very small crumbs, slightly wetted, and mixed loosely 

 with bran, be used. The casting-bait should not be 

 used in any large quantity, as it speedily swims away. 

 The proper course is to throw it in frequently, in small 

 quantities, and to take care that the baited hook 

 always swims with it. 



These directions have been given, not merely to 

 enable the young angler to take bleak successfully, but 

 to make him expert and skilful in killing a nimble, 

 quick, and fine-biting fish, and thus qualify him to set 

 about all kinds of angling with the greatest success. 



II. THE MINNOW. 



THIS is a favourite bait for trout or perch, and is found 

 in large numbers in the Thames, as also in the Lea, 

 New River, and other waters about London. To take 

 them, use a fine hair line, a very small float, and 

 the smallest sized hook. Choose an eddy or a shallow, 

 and bait with a blood-worm, a gentle, or part of a red 

 worm, and let it be on or very near the ground. They 

 should be put into the well of your punt, or into your 

 kettle, as soon as they are taken, that they may be 

 kept alive for bait. 



