76 CATCHING THE WILY SEA-TROUT 



fish or two may seek the higher reaches irrespective of 

 the flow, but a considerable run does not materialize 

 unless the water is sufficiently attractive. During long 

 spells of drought, the better course is to leave the minnow 

 in the tackle case and so obviate hard work and dis- 

 appointment. An expert minnow caster, who lives close 

 to an excellent sea-trout river, told me that, during the 

 year 1944, he tried his hand barely a dozen times, solely 

 because, with the exception of two or three occasions, 

 there was so little water moving. Yet, day after day, 

 visiting anglers struggled hard against adversity, hoping 

 that their minnows would connect with a stray fish. 



When the river is low, there are other displeasing 

 features to be taken into account in addition to the 

 pellucidity of the water. Then more rocks and boulders 

 are scantily covered, weed clogs the surface and hidden 

 roots are greater bugbears. With a good volume of 

 water flowing, the chances of the minnow fouling snags 

 are small, but with every drop of six inches in the level, 

 the risk of trouble increases proportionately. An 

 anchored treble is calculated to try the patience of the 

 most complacent angler, but when the misfortune is 

 continually repeated I would rather not be the victim's 

 companion. Hence, I suggest that a minnow should 

 not be mounted unless the prospects are auspicious. 



When the river is in perfect order, spinning may be 

 enjoyed at any time in the day, but when the water has 

 fined to nearly its normal colour, the best time to throw 

 is within an hour or two of sundown. With the lessening 

 of the river's tint, sea-trout do not seem to be so interested 

 in scintillating minnows when the sun is high as they do 

 during even-tide. 



There are several effective ways of casting the metal 

 minnow. Some anglers are content to throw from bank 

 to bank straight across a pool. I am not exactly in love 



