42 CATCHING THE WILY SEA-TROUT 



caught a six-pounder, or with that an eight pounder ; 

 such is the fascination of angling. 



Metal minnows, in an almost endless variety, are made 

 for the anglers' benefit. Devon minnows, slotted and 

 slotless, with left or right-hand spin, are supplied 

 in gilt or silver, green or blue, brown or spotted 

 and in sizes upwards from an inch in length. Some 

 shanks are round, others have flat sides and several 

 are fluted. These are furnished with one, two or four 

 trebles. 



The metal minnow is a delusive instrument if it is not 

 built properly, and here, I suggest, the crux of the 

 spinning situation is encountered. No doubt you have 

 seen the natural minnow, on your approach, dart from 

 the bank-side. Probably you have watched these little 

 rascals sailing idly through the water. But I ask you 

 at once, have you seen one swimming obliquely up- 

 stream ? Of course not, for they cruise on an even keel. 

 They may rise quickly in a slanting position to the 

 surface, but their normal movement is in a horizontal 

 plane. What, then, do you think of the action of a 

 spun metal minnow that, as you wind your reel, comes 

 all the way towards you with its head up and its tail 

 down ? 



If you have never given consideration to this enter- 

 taining problem, take my advice and scrutinize carefully 

 the movements of your minnow when you next go 

 spinning. I am satisfied that the difference between a 

 fisherman's failure and success can, in many instances, 

 be traced to the swim of the minnow. If anglers, when 

 spinning, paid greater attention to this important detail, 

 I am sure that the time so spent would bring its own 

 reward. Unfortunately for them, many anglers mount 

 metal minnows, cast and retrieve, hoping for the best, 

 without giving a second's thought to the elementary 



