THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 79 



And of these minnows ; first you are to know that the biggest 

 size is not the best ; and next, that the middle size and 

 the whitest are the best ; and then you are to know, that 

 your minnow must be so put on your hook, that it must 

 turn round when it is drawn against the stream ; and, that 

 it may turn nimbly, you must put it on a big-sized hook, as 

 I shall now direct you, which is thus : put your hook in at 

 his mouth, and out at his gill ; then, haviog drawn your 

 hook two or three inches beyond or through his gill, put it 

 again into his mouth, and the point and beard out at his 

 tail ; and then tie the hook and his tail about, very neatly, 

 with a white thread, which will make it the apter to turn 

 quick in the water : that done, pull back that part of your 

 line which was slack when you did put your hook into the 

 minnow the second time ; I say, pull that part of your line 

 back, so that it shall fasten the head, so that the body of the 

 minnow shall be almost straight on your hook : this done, 

 try how it will turn, by drawing it across the water or 

 against the stream ; and if it do not turn nimbly, then turn 

 the tail a little to the right or left hand, and try again, till it 

 turn quick ; for if not, you are in danger to catch nothing: 

 for know that it is impossible that it should turn too quick ; 

 and you are yet to know, that in case you want a minnow, 

 then a small loach or a stickle-bag, or any other small fish 

 that will turn quick, will serve as well : and you are yet to 

 know, that you may salt them, and by that means keep them 

 ready and fit for use three or four days or longer ; and that 

 of salt, bay-salt is the best. 



And here let me tell you, what many old anglers know 

 right well, that at some times, and in some waters, a minnow 

 is not to be got ; and therefore let me tell you, I have, 

 which I will show you, an artificial minnow,* that will 

 catch a trout as well as an artificial fly, and it was made by 

 a handsome woman that had a fine hand, and a live minnow 

 lying by her : the mould or body of the minnow, was cloth, 

 and wrought upon or over it thus with a needle : the back 

 of it with very sad French green silk, and paler green silk 

 towards the belly, shadowed as perfectly as you can imagine, 



* Walton's method of making an artificial minnow is curious. How sur- 

 prised he would be to see the artificial minnows, and other artificial fish baits 

 of these days. No amateur need make them now, as they are to be had 

 cheaply at all the tackle shops, well made, and in infinite variety. The best 

 are those called " flexible," made by William Flinn, of Worcester. ED. 



