TACKLE. 23 



noticing that the fish be slightly curved, so as to spin 

 properly. The other tackle is composed of six hooks, 

 No. 7, dressed in pairs, and is angled with only when 

 the trout are in a taking mood. 



c c 





Two or more swivels are required for both of these 

 contrivances the lowermost fastened about two feet 

 or so above the bait. Leaden pellets may also be used, 

 but many think them unnecessary. Some anglers at- 

 tach behind the whole apparatus an extra hook, No. 

 12 or 13, dressed upon a hog's bristle, which, should 

 the trout miss the minnow, is apt to catch him, when 

 retiring, by the middle or other part of the body. This 

 is a superfluity, and, like many superfluities, does more 

 harm than good, alarming the fish without securing 

 them. 



Tackle for trolling with par or small trout ought to 

 be constructed on the same principles as the minnow- 

 tackle ; only the hooks should be larger, and dressed 

 upon gimp, instead of gut. Snap-hooks also are in 

 use for this kind of angling. Small silk cord oiled will 

 be found the best trolling-line. The reel should carry 

 from eighty to a hundred yards at least, in such places 

 as Loch Awe, where the water is deep and the fish 



move strong. 



We come now to treat of rods. A trouting rod 

 ought to be from twelve to fifteen feet in length, and a 

 salmon one from sixteen to twenty. We prefer the 

 medium. Its first virtues ought to be lightness and 

 elasticity. It requires, also, to be nicely and accurately 

 tapered, from a circumference of three, four, or five 



