32 AET OF ANGLING. 



hard friction of the gut, just above the large hook, 

 may at first be required ; besides the working it 

 with Indian rubber. So much for this plan ; there 

 may be many better; but all I can say is, that I 

 have not yet seen one fit to be named with it. 



" The rod for trolling should be from eighteen 

 to twenty feet long, and made as light as possible, 

 though neither too pliable nor top heavy. This rod, 

 of course, requires two hands ; no matter therefore 

 where the reel is placed. If the top is too stiff, 

 you strain a fish's mouth so much as to run the 

 risk of breaking out his hold, which is nine times in 

 ten on one of the three small fly hooks. But if the 

 top is too pliant, the fish will frequently make his 

 escape on first being pricked. Here, therefore, as 

 in all things, the medium is best. A minnow must, 

 of course, be thrown under handed, and the line got 

 well on the swing before it is sent out. You should 

 throw it till it comes to its end, and then, by 

 drawing in the hand, give it a little check, so that it 

 shall be laid delicately in the water, and not thrown 

 in with a splash. The very instant your minnow is 

 in the water, begin drawing it at one unvaried pace, 

 down stream, and then towards you, till near enough 

 to require a fresh throw; and in this as well as 

 fly-fishing, never keep trying too long in the same 

 place. 



