116 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



latter, as in that way the minnow lives by far 

 the longest. It should be about a foot from 

 the ground, or more, according to the depth 

 of the place. When you fish with a dead 

 minnow, on a small gorge hook, or an artificial 

 one, you require no float, and every method 

 must be employed to make- it show in the 

 water, so as to attract the notice of the trout ; 

 for which purpose you must have at the bottom 

 of your line one or two swivels, which will 

 cause the minnow to spin round in the water 

 as you draw it .against the stream. This is 

 called spinning the minnow, and it is a very 

 killing way of fishing for trout, if you can but do 

 it without being seen by them. But they are 

 sly fellows, and if they see you at your work 

 you may spin your minnow long enough before 

 you catch one of them. You must hide be- 

 hind a bush, or prostrate yourself flat on the 

 bank, or get under it, if it be high, and employ 

 every means to keep out of sight. Even th< 

 shadow of your rod, if the sun be behind you 

 and the water is very fine, will sometime! 

 drive them all off, for they have eyes lik 

 eagles, and will shoot away from you lik 

 darts. A very windy day is the best time t< 

 use the minnow, in particular when you spin it 



