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when they are -not very fresh, as in such case they will 

 not bear to be bent,, nor to be much handled. 



I should, in truth, rather recommend this mode on all 

 occasions, knowing it to preserve the appearance of the. 

 bait better than the other way of putting it on the hook. 

 This is a matter of no small importance 5 for trouts in par- 

 ticular, however ravenous, if they, on near approach, 

 perceive any blemish, or indications of art, will either 

 turn abruptly, as we find them to do when they discover 

 a fly to be artificial ; or, if in their kurry, or through 

 fear of approaching competitors, they have mouthed it, 

 many, will spit out the bait so quickly, as to render the 

 watchfulness of the most expert angler unavailing ! 



In many places, proper laits are obtained with much 

 difficulty ; it may therefore be requisite to inform the 

 .young angler, that they are best preserved in bran, which 

 keeps them moist and pliant. The bran should be dry, 

 2nd free from impurities. If bran be not immediately at 

 hand, fresh soft moss will be found a tolerable substitute. 



On no account allow your baits to be kept among other 

 fishes, or in any place where they would be heated or 

 pressed $ for in such case, their intestines would soon 

 break out, and disfigure your bait greatly. Whenever 

 that happens, you must sew up the bellies, else your lead 

 will hang out. 



Having said thus much of the snap, it is necessary to 

 describe what relates to dipping ; which, however, is 

 often practised with snap-hooks, on account of the im- 

 practicability of giving fish scope of line, in situations 

 where, either from weeds, piles, boughs under water, 

 of a variety of other impediments, it would not be easy 



to 



